Pilot Street, King's Lynn

Prior to the renaming in 1809 Pilot Street in King's Lynn, Norfolk, was called Dowshill Street. It lies at the northern edge of the medieval town near the church of St Nicholas, now well within the much larger built-up area. It also used to be longer than it is today: road schemes of the twentieth century truncated it. However, it still offers interest to anyone with an eye for architectural history, featuring buildings of the 1400s, 1500s, 1700s and 1800s. The photograph above complements one I took in 2012 from the other end of this curved street.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Olympus OMD E-M10

St Margaret, King's Lynn

The building of King's Lynn's church of St Margaret began around 1101 and from those early days evidence may be seen in the base of the west towers. However, like most large churches its construction took a few hundred years. The oldest tower is the far one (south west) built in the 1100s and 1200s, but with a new bell stage added in the 1300s. The other tower mainly dates from 1453 and the following years. Since they were each built in the style(s) of the times they differ considerably. The church had a priory attached in the early days. In 2011 it was re-designated King's Lynn Minster by the Bishop of Norwich.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Olympus OMD E-M10

Wooden angel with lute

The worshippers in England's medieval churches were often surveyed from on high by angels. Wooden angels, of the kind shown above, that is.These angels were frequently playing instruments - making music and singing - as they were said to do in the Bible. Almost all of those above the nave and chancel of the church of St Nicholas in King's Lynn, Norfolk were equipped with stringed, wind and percussion instruments, and all but two were made of unpainted wood. Only those in the chancel near the altar received colour. Incidentally, photographing these angels is always difficult due to the glare from windows and artificial lights. You can see it creeping in at the bottom of the frame.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Olympus OMD E-M10

Inshore fishing boat, King's Lynn

A number of fishing boats can be seen moored at Kings Lynn in Norfolk. These inshore boats mainly fish in the large, shallow bay between Lincolnshire and East Anglia called The Wash. Their principal catch is, I read, cockles, most of which are processed in the town and then sold to Spain. Though the boats are usually tied fast to the quayside sometimes one is more loosely fastened, like "Seagull" above, making for a more interesting photograph.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Olympus OMD E-M10