The Village
North Lopham, an attractive small village five miles West of Diss, is fairly compact, with most houses situated along the winding (C)1113 road and its branching lanes. Visitors enjoy walking in Thetford Forest or Redgrave and Lopham Fen, and are in easy reach of Banham Zoo, a Bressingham Garden Centre and many historic sites and buildings.
St Andrew’s School has close links with the church community. It is a Church of England school, part of a three-way Federation with All Saints, Winfarthing and the school at Hapton, all overseen by an executive headteacher and a single board of governors.
The Lophams’ claim to fame is the Lopham Linen Industry, which became world famous in Victorian times when Thomas Buckenham of North Lopham gained the royal warrant, sending a regular supply of fine linen to the Palace, Sandringham House and many venerable institutions in London, Cambridge and across East Anglia.
The ‘church’ and its community
Regular family services are led by our Home Team, and a Holy Communion is currently held in alternate months. On Sundays when there is no service, an e-letter takes the Gospel reading, a linked message, prayers and hymn words to all members; every home receives a card at Christmas, with details of extra services. We are currently researching ways of keeping in regular touch with them all since the ending of our wonderful Cock Crow magazine.
As the only public building in the village open to all every day, we aim to make the church a hub for activities for all ages – concerts, exhibitions and other social events have long been a particular feature of N. Lopham life. Activities resumed slowly, after the pandemic “shut down”, but are still fewer than pre-Covid.
A Scarecrow trail through the village, centred on the church, cheered the dull August Bank Holiday; Coffee Morinings attract new residents into the building.
A 2024 highlight was a concert by Nancy May, well known East Anglian singer who tours with Russell Watson. Another concert is in the planning stage for 2026.
The Church Building
St Nicholas’ Church was built in the 13th century, probably on an older foundation, using flint and stone, with a square tower housing a fine ring of eight bells, which were rehung in 1926. A beautiful stained-glass East window, showing scenes from Easter Day was installed in the early 20th century.
The church was originally dedicated to St Andrew. The modern dedication is a result of an error by an 18th century clerk, who transposed the dedication here with that of South Lopham! The building is home to two fine instruments: a rare chamber organ with integral barrel organ in use weekly, and a two-manual harmonium, which was restored in 1992.
The Future of the Building
The latest Quinquennial Inspection Report highlighted considerable structural problems – with the SW corner, the upper tower, and the rainwater goods, to name but three. The PCC is addressing these, but will need to raise a considerable sum in order to obtain matched funding.
Work in the upper tower is almost completed, with a new access hatch and stair to the roof, just in time to celebrate the centenary of the bells’ rehanging – they were dedicated withing days of the the birth of HM Queen Elizabeth II.
When structural problems in the SW corner have been addressed, an Amenity building project is to install a toilet accessible for all and a wash-up area.
Local Context
North Lopham had one of the oldest Methodist Chapels in Norfolk; sadly, it is now a private house, but with the graves retained and an attractive garden established round them. Local Methodists are welcome in St Nicholas’ Church to hold a mid-week service and coffee morning from time to time. The King’s Head Public House is popular with residents & visitors alike in the evenings and weekends, but its future is uncertain..
The Lophams share a Playing Field and Village Hall, run by folk from both villages. Joint organisations which meet there include Lophams’ Ladies, the Over Sixties, an Art Group and a Garden Club, plus Botolphs Bowmen, Ladies Keep Fit and the local Kumo Judo Club. The Judo Club has achieved international success during its 20 years – achieving Commonwealth Gold, and narrowly missing an Olympic medal in 2012! The monthly Farmers’ Market is popular, and was one of the few organisations able to continue operating during lockdown.
If you would like to get married at our beautiful church, bring your babies for baptism, or want to speak to us about a funeral please contact the Benefice Office or the Church Wardens and we’ll be glad to help.
Email: office@winfarthingupperwaveney.org.uk