Beccles and District Museum
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The museum is manned entirely by unpaid volunteers. Stewards, working to a rota and co-ordinated by Brian Catling, keep the museum running during open hours. Trustees, with the Chairman Ken Cracknell, Secretary Ian Hinton and Treasurer Bob Peck, look to the strategic planning and financing of the operation. Behind the scene workers include our historian David Lindley, who is gathering data on Beccles people, places, work and events; Yvonne Stocks and her team of helpers who maintain the records and Alan Fairchild, the education officer, who oversees school visits and manages the displays. The museum's ever growing collection of photographs is under the care of Keith Hibberd, our photographic officer, who also deals with requests for copies. Friends give valuable support in fund raising and donations. The curator is Jimmy Woodrow. Leman House was probably built in about 1570 and was completely restored and modernised in the 1760s. Originally it was a timber frame structure, much of which disappeared when the brick facades were added. What remains shows minimal decoration, but shows the classic features of a mid to late 16th Century building, including a series of fine Queen Post roof trusses. But in the 1760s the delightful facade facing the street was built of flint and brick, and pantiles were substituted for the previous thatched roof. It was also at this time that the Gothic shaped windows were introduced. When Sir John Leman gave the building to the town in his will in 1631 it was already a school. The payment of the master and usher came from lands he gave at the same time outside Beccles for their support. The foundation was for 48 boys who must have been able to read and write before entry. They were to remain at the school for four years. Of the many headmasters of the school, one of the most notable was Robert Davey in the late 18th century. He was a founder member and first Master of the Apollo Lodge of Masons in the town and was commemorated by a fine memorial in St Michael's Church. He painted the Leman Arms on the north end of the house. He became Headmaster at the age of 19 and remained so for 35 years until his death. | |||||||||||||||||||||