Martham's first blue plaque unveiled

 

18 June 2017

Seventy to eighty people gathered in a blessedly cool St Mary’s to take part in a service led by the Lord Bishop of Norwich (Bishop Graham) giving thanks for the missionary work of Anna and David Hinderer. Their example reminded us of the responsibilities of Christian people and of the discipline and determination that is needed to lead the Christian life.

After the service Bishop Graham led the congregation onto Black Street where, in glorious sunshine and to much applause, he unveiled the Blue Plaque commissioned by Martham Local History Group. Installed on the wall of the old rectory by kind permission of the present owners, this is the first such plaque in Martham. It tells of the couple’s work in what we now call Nigeria during the Nineteenth Century.

It also records their short residence in the Rectory on their return and Anna's death and subsequent burial in St Mary’s Churchyard.

And so, the Bishop led the people to the other end of the church where the Hinderer grave was found in all its just-restored glory. A blessing, a bouquet for the grave, and a mass of photographs brought formal proceedings to an end.

Refreshments were taken in the church and a smaller group then retired to consume even more goodies in the back garden of our president. There were still people there at 3.00 in the afternoon.

There are many people behind the scenes to whom the History Group is grateful: the Police and the Primary School; St Mary’s Social Outreach Committee; all those who provided refreshments; and those who helped with traffic control.

Text by Noel Mitchell
Photographs by Chris Harrison