Necton, Norfolk

Description
Necton (formerly Neighton), a village and a parish in Norfolk. The village stands 2 1/2 miles S by E of Dnnham station on the Lynn and Dereham section of the G.E.R., 1 1/2 mile N from Hoime Hale station on the Swaffham and Thet-ford section of the same railway, and 3 1/2 miles E by N of Swaffham, and has a post and money order office under Swaffham; telegraph office, Swaffham. The parish comprises 3830 acres; population, 735. The manor, with Necton Hall, belongs to the Mason family. Necton Hall, which stands in a well-wooded park has belonged to the Mason family since the time of Henry VII. In Hone's "Every Day Book " there is an account of an annual Whitsnn fair formerly held, called Necton Guild, and of the foot-races, wrestling-matches, &c., which used to be practised for two or three days. The living is a rectory in the diocese of Norwich; net value, £447 with residence. The church is a building of flint in the Perpendicular style; comprises nave, aisles, and chancel, with a chapel, a SW chapel, and an embattled western tower rebuilt in 1864-65; has an exquisitely worked and ornamental roof; and contains brasses and other monuments. There are Baptist and Wesleyan chapels, a village library and reading-room, and charities worth £140.