Swaffham's Wind Turbines and Folklore

Swaffham, a market town nestled in the Breckland district of Norfolk, England, boasts a rich tapestry of history and folklore, interwoven with modern technological landmarks. While its exact geographical coordinates place it in the heart of East Anglia, its true significance lies in the stories and developments that have shaped its identity over centuries. From ancient tales of buried treasure to the imposing presence of modern wind turbines, Swaffham offers a unique glimpse into the enduring spirit of rural England.

A Tapestry of Tales: Swaffham's Folklore

Swaffham is famously associated with a particular folk tale, classified as the Aarne-Thompson type 1645, often referred to as 'The Man Who Became Rich through a Dream'. The narrative centres around a humble pedlar from Swaffham who, after experiencing a series of vivid dreams, felt compelled to travel to London. His dreams instructed him to wait on London Bridge, where he would eventually receive good news. After several days of patient waiting on the bustling bridge, a curious shopkeeper enquired about his vigil. The pedlar recounted his dream, to which the shopkeeper responded with amusement. The shopkeeper then shared his own recurring dream: that if he were to travel to a specific orchard in Swaffham and begin digging, he would unearth a hidden treasure. Heeding this ironic twist of fate, the pedlar returned to Swaffham, located the orchard, and, as predicted, discovered a significant buried treasure, thus fulfilling his dream.

This tale highlights a common theme in folklore, where seemingly mundane circumstances lead to extraordinary fortune, often through a twist of fate or the sharing of dreams. The story of the Swaffham pedlar has been passed down through generations, becoming an integral part of the town's local lore.

Adding to the town's mystical aura is the legend of the Black Shuck, a spectral black dog rumoured to have roamed the three settlements of Swaffham, Castle Acre, and Great Cressingham during medieval times. This phantom canine was said to lie in wait for unwary merchants, ambushing them on their journeys to larger towns where they intended to sell their wares. While the Black Shuck is a creature of folklore, the enduring presence of such tales speaks to the deep-rooted beliefs and superstitions that have historically permeated rural communities. Interestingly, whispers of a puma-like black cat continue to circulate in the broader regions of Norfolk and Cambridgeshire, suggesting a lingering fascination with mysterious, large felines in the East Anglian landscape.

The Parish Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul

Dominating the Swaffham skyline is the magnificent Parish Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul. This architectural gem, with its current structure dating back to 1454, stands on the foundations of an even older church, a testament to the continuous spiritual life of the community. What makes this church particularly noteworthy are the exquisite wooden carvings of angels adorning the upper walls, a less common feature compared to the more typical stone carvings found in many ecclesiastical buildings. These delicate wooden angels offer a unique artistic and historical insight into medieval craftsmanship and religious devotion.

Within the hallowed walls of the church, a special carving commemorates the town's most famous folk hero: the 'Pedlar of Swaffham'. This intricate wood carving serves as a visual reminder of the enduring legacy of the pedlar and his dream, connecting the present-day congregation with the town's rich folklore.

Transport in Swaffham

While the provided text does not detail specific transport infrastructure, it's understood that as a market town, Swaffham would have historically relied on road networks for trade and travel. Modern transport links would typically involve bus services connecting to surrounding towns and cities, and potentially a nearby railway station, although this is not explicitly mentioned in the provided information. The town's accessibility would have been crucial for its development as a commercial centre.

Swaffham's Green Energy Landmarks

In more recent times, Swaffham has become synonymous with renewable energy, primarily due to the presence of two prominent Enercon E-66 wind turbines. The first of these giants began generating power in 1999, with the second joining it in 2003. Collectively, they produce over three megawatts of electricity, contributing to the region's green energy portfolio.

The initial turbine installed was an Enercon E66/1500, boasting a 1.5 MW generation capacity, a nacelle height of 67 metres, and a rotor diameter of 66 metres. A truly unique feature of this first turbine was its observation deck, situated just below the nacelle. For a period spanning the 2000s and 2010s, this observation deck was open to the public, making it the only wind turbine globally to offer such an accessible vantage point. This provided an unparalleled opportunity for visitors to experience the scale and power of wind energy up close.

These two landmark turbines were later complemented by an independent development of eight additional turbines in the nearby village of North Pickenham, located just three miles from Swaffham. The original turbines were closely associated with the EcoTech Centre, a visitor centre that opened its doors in 1999. This centre served as a hub for education and events related to sustainability.

The EcoTech Centre played host to significant events, including the 2008 British BASE jumping championships, where participants famously leaped from the observation deck of the wind turbine. In 2008, Ecotricity assumed management of the site, and by 2012, the visitor centre was rebranded as the Green Britain Centre. The centre was a popular venue for school trips and private events, featuring educational exhibits focused on sustainability in food, energy, and transport. Its peak popularity was observed in 2016, when it welcomed 22,000 visitors, with 8,000 of them ascending the turbine.

However, the Green Britain Centre faced financial challenges, and in June 2018, its closure was announced. Ecotricity intended to return the building to Breckland District Council (BDC). The council subsequently explored options for the building, including renting or selling it, and even considered an exchange with Swaffham Town Council for building land. A proposal to convert the building into a leisure centre was put forward by BDC but was ultimately abandoned. In 2021, the building was acquired by Flexion Global, who now use it as their headquarters. Shortly thereafter, Swaffham Town Council gifted BDC a parcel of land adjacent to the former centre, with plans for BDC to construct a new leisure centre on the site.

Swaffham in the Media: 'Kingdom'

Swaffham also gained a degree of fame through its appearance in the ITV1 television series 'Kingdom', starring Stephen Fry. Filming for the popular drama took place in the town during the summer of 2006. Within the series, Swaffham is depicted as the fictional town of Market Shipborough. The local pub, the Greyhound Inn, which features in the show as the Startled Duck, holds historical significance. It was here that the Earl of Orford established the first coursing club open to the public in 1776. The series also used Oakleigh House, a building near the town square and formerly the residence of the Head Master of Hamond's Grammar School, as the location for Peter Kingdom's office. Coastal scenes for the show were filmed in the picturesque town of Wells-next-the-Sea on the north Norfolk coast.

Notable People Associated with Swaffham

While the provided text does not list specific notable individuals from Swaffham, the town's historical narratives, such as the legend of the pedlar and the Earl of Orford's involvement with the Greyhound Inn, suggest a community with figures who have left their mark on local history and culture.

Climate in Swaffham

Information regarding Swaffham's specific climate is not provided in the text. However, as part of Norfolk, it would generally experience a temperate maritime climate, characterised by mild summers and cool winters, with rainfall distributed throughout the year.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Swaffham famous for?

Swaffham is known for its association with the 'Pedlar of Swaffham' folk tale, the legend of the Black Shuck, its Parish Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul with unique wooden angel carvings, and more recently, its large wind turbines and the former Green Britain Centre.

Where was the TV series 'Kingdom' filmed?

The TV series 'Kingdom' was filmed in and around Swaffham, with the town being depicted as Market Shipborough. Key locations included the Greyhound Inn (as the Startled Duck) and Oakleigh House.

What is special about the church in Swaffham?

The Parish Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul in Swaffham is notable for having angels carved in wood around the top of its walls, which is a less common feature than stone carvings.

What happened to the Green Britain Centre?

The Green Britain Centre, which was associated with two large wind turbines, closed in June 2018 due to financial reasons. The building was later sold to Flexion Global for use as their headquarters.

Does Swaffham have wind turbines?

Yes, Swaffham is known for having two large Enercon E-66 wind turbines that generate over three megawatts of electricity. These were joined by eight further turbines in the nearby village of North Pickenham.