Downham Market, Norfolk

Description
Downham or Downham Market, a union and market-town and a parish in Norfolk. The town stands on the side of a hill, on the river Ouse, with a station on the G.E.R., and a branch line to Stoke Ferry, 11 miles S by W from Lynn. It has recently undergone much improvement, contains a spacious ornamental market square, and has a head post office, two banks, several good hotels, a town-hall, police station, and a spacious and handsome workhouse. It had anciently a Benedictine priory belonging to Ramsey Abbey, and is a seat of petty sessions and county courts. Markets are held on Fridays, and large fairs for cattle and horses are held on 1, 2, and 3 March, the first Friday in May, and the second Friday in Nov. There are also hirings for servants on Saturday fortnight before and the Saturday after Old Michaelmas Day. The industries include brewing, malting, 'brick and tile making, a brass foundry, and some large steam flour mills. There are also some extensive nurseries near the railway station. Acreage of the civil parish, 2797 ; population, 3006; of the ecclesiastical, 3215. The living is a discharged rectory in the diocese of Norwich ; net yearly value, £20. The church is an ancient building in mixed styles. There are also Baptist, Strict Baptist, Free Methodist, Primitive Methodist, and Wesleyan chapels, a Church Army station, and a Salvation Army barracks.