Shelia Hutchinson's popular Norfolk history books reprinted

One of the most popular authors in Norfolk is Berney Arms “gal” Sheila Hutchinson who, supported by husband Paul, has written more than a dozen much sought after local history books.

Wickhampton Memories. The picture of Kerry's Mill in 1944 was supplied by Peter Allard (Image: Shelia Hutchinson)

They are important publications looking at people and places in the county which are packed with rare photographs and personal memories.

We get to meet the residents, take a look at the shops, pubs, houses, churches, the places where people lived and worked in different times.

Fred Orkshire Carter and family who appear in Shelia Hutchinson's Wickhampton book. He was the last man to work Kerry's Mill (Image: Daphne Thorpe's Photo Collection)

They are a fascinating window on a lost world and that is why they are so popular and tend to sell out.

In the Halvergate/Tunstall book we get to meet Scurrell and Elizabeth Youngs and family outside the Stracey Arms in around 1880. The children are believed to be Sarah, Betsy, Jane and baby Benjamin (Image: John Youngs' Family Photos)

This week three of the books are back in the shops…Wickhampton Memories, Halvergate & Tunstall Remembered and Beighton & Moulton St Mary Remembered.

Beighton & Moulton St Mary Remembered. The front cover shows Moulton St Mary Post Office in around 1970 (Image: Shelia Hutchinson)

“They had been sold out for a long time and I have been asked for them a lot over the last few years,” said Sheila.

“Over the next few months the rest of my out-of-print books will be reprinted, some as revised editions,” she added.

All dressed up for the studio portrait. Making an appearance in the book about Wickhampton is George Hewitt with his bicycle (Image: Supplied to Shelia Hutchinson)

It was back in 2000 when Sheila wrote her first book about the place where she grew up…Berney Arms.  She published the book herself and sold 500 copies in the first month.

Her life was about to change. People loved it and asked Sheila if she would write a book about their village.

Halvergate & Tunstall Remembered. The photograph of Halvergate Corn Mill in the 1920s was supplied by Peter Allard (Image: Shelia Hutchinson)“I have met some lovely people who have provided me with old photographs and memories so we can make sure they are never forgotten,” she said.

Whilst the rest of her out of stock books are being reprinted, still on the shelves for sale are: Acle Memories, The River Yare: Breydon & Beyond and the Berney Arms: Past & Present.

The main stockist for the Great Yarmouth area is Yare Books Ltd., and the three re-prints will also be on sale at the City Books, Davey Place, Norwich, and at Beccles Books.

And if you would like to meet up with Sheila she will be at the Acle Recreation Centre tomorrow (November 19) between 11am and 3pm with her local history books.