History - The People

We often get asked about past inhabitants of Worstead - here are the results of some of our reserach.

We are currently seeking information on "Richard Barcham Shalders" who founded the YMCA in New Zealand, formally a Worstead resident - born around 1820. - Please email any information you may have - Thanks!

The "Duchess" of Worstead
We received some information about The Duchess of Worstead: she was born and bred in Worstead, married Arthur Loads, brother of Fred Loads, of radio gardening fame, in the first World War and had two sons. She always seemed to attract attention, maybe because she dressed flamboyantly and had a blacked out lens in her glasses. She enjoyed playing the piano in the New Inn, a photo of her can be seen here.

Robert Tuck Cross
He was born at Brockley Farm, Worstead in 1850. He was named Frederick Robert TuckCross but dropped the name Frederick. His father died in 1861.
At the age of 25, married with two sons he was living at Westwick owning some land. Before that age he had studied Astrology, and taught the subject and made predictions which he sold and he started writing an Almanac.
In 1880 he moved to Tottenham in London and continued with Astrology and bought the title Raphael when the owner died. Whilst there he made arrangements with Foulshams (publishers of Astrology material and owners of Old Moore's Almanac)
He returned to Worstead when he bought Lyngate Cottage for £440. He made alterations and grew and sold exotic plants especially orchids which were sent to London. He built 8 greenhouses in the field to the East of the Cottage and grew and sold different fruit and vegetables which were sent to markets in the midlands and further north.
He was elected by the largest number of votes to the first Parish Council in December 1894.
He served as Church Warden for a number of years.
He also served on the Coal Board, which gave coal to deserving people during the winter.
In the field he erected a weather station, recording wind direction and speed, sun shine and temperature at different levels as well as rainfall.
He owned some of the first motor vehicles in the county starting with a Trike, then steam driven cars and eventually with the petrol driven cars.
He was instrumental, with Mr G.Buck in obtaining the War Memorial in the Church and in l922 he bought the land for the Cemetry which he then gave to the Parish, Mr Buck donating the oak gates, which have since been replaced. Grandmother gave the "hearse" which is in the church. To the two boys there was one girl and my father with several still births during the 1880's.
This information was obtained from the family diaries from 1875, which I am holding as senior living descendant.
He Returned in 1885.