Hundreds of guests were invited for the 'coming of age' party of Lord Townshend at Raynham Hall in 1937, reported the EDP.On the eve of his 21st birthday, two aeroplanes of the Norfolk & Norwich Aero Club gave a display of aerobatics and dropped a streamer-wrapped message of congratulation.

Hundreds of guests were invited for the 'coming of age' party of Lord Townshend at Raynham Hall in 1937, reported the EDP.

On the eve of his 21st birthday, two aeroplanes of the Norfolk & Norwich Aero Club gave a display of aerobatics and dropped a streamer-wrapped message of congratulation.

About 800 people attended the garden party for the tenantry and other friends of Lord Townshend and his mother. The uniforms of the overseas fire brigade officials attending the International Fire Brigades' Convention in Sennowe Park, Guist, and the red-cloaked party from Trinity Hospital, Castle Rising, added further colour.

More than 400 children from Raynham and other estate villages were entertained to tea. In another marquee, tea was provided for the guests.

The band of the 5th Battalion of the Royal Norfolk Regiment played selections during the afternoon. And the Marchioness invited all the inhabitants of Fakenham to attend a display of fireworks at night.

The large number of guests included representatives of King's Lynn and other local councils and Fakenham public bodies.

In the early evening, presentations were made to the marquess. The first gift was given by the Mayor of King's Lynn, Dr H C Brown, who said: 'The first Viscount Townshend was appointed governor and subsequently High Steward of the Borough. Your forebears have taken a most important part in the history of Norfolk. They have been great statesmen, soldiers and pioneer agriculturists.' He handed the marquess a silver salver, subscribed for by the members and officials of the King's Lynn Corporation.

On behalf of the clergy resident in the living in the gift of the marquess, a Coronation book was presented, and a silver cigarette box, the gift of the Parochial Church Council of All Saints, Hertford, was given.

On behalf of the farmer tenants, Mr J Butcher, presented a silver salver and also a tankard for every day use. It would hold a good honest pint and there was plenty of room for the froth, he said, to much laughter.

A silver cigarette box and ash tray were presented by the business and cottage tenants by Mr J Owen. A silver tea service was the gift of estate staff, made by Mr J Southgate.

Mr G Fuller presented the indoor staff's gift of six silver tankards on a silver salver then Mr J White presented a silver cigarette box on behalf of Fakenham tradesmen.

The following afternoon, a thanksgiving service was held at St Mary's Church, Raynham, when the bishop of Norwich gave the address.