Norwich bulletin., 1910-11-24
"The Babes-in : the Mood. ?

note in The Spectator. says: 'grhe old ballad of the Children in tre Wood is one of the darling songs of the com mon people, and has been the delight | of most Englishmen in some part of | their age"
 1t still remains dear to the Eng ] lnsh-speaking race the wide world over Some people regard the ballad as folk lore, but we in Norfolk, who live in ! the Land of the Babes in the Wood | believe that it is founded on fact | which l have set forth in a work re- gently published by Messrs. Jarrold "A gentleman of good account In Norfolk lived of late. | Whose wealth and riches did surmount
 Most men of his estate" Such is the opening stanza of the ballad. The story was published by Thomas ATillington of Norwich, Oeto- i Der l5, 1895, under the title, The Nor folk Gent. His Will and Testament, and howe he commytted the keeping ] of his children to his owne brother, whoe delt wickedly with them and howe God plagued him for it.
 Within view of my rectory is the old manor house (Griston old HalD which from time immemorial has been | known as the Wicked Uncle's house, and which, within the knowledge of | several people still living once con- tained carved woodwork of the Babes, | the Robins. and the Uncle. It is now a farmhouse.
 Adjoining $ the Way1and wood. cor ! rupted into "Wailing' Wood, the re- J puted scene of the tragedy. | One mile distant is the old Collegi- ! into decay. It is one of the three Col | legiate churches of East Anglia found | ed in 1349, and formerly probably served as the Cathedral church of the | district with a master or rector and. | six chaplains.
 At the Dissolution, Thompson was stripped of everything, save a stipend of G20 per annum, to be paid by the | lay impropriator.
 For several years no one could be found to act as incumbent. but re- | gently | have taken over the parish to work with my own. The old church is in sad decay, the l rain pours through the matched roof ! the green damp clings to mouldering walls which the chaplains' Miserere l seats still adorn.
 The church is built on grand lines has a beautiful screen. a wealth of old oak benches, and other relics of the past
 I would appeal to all lovers of the old ballad for the funds necessary to preserve fnot restore in the modern sense) this Collegiate church, one of the most interesting in East Anglia l think also I shall not appeal in vain tO the thousands who as children have enjoy ed their Christmas pantomime of l the Babes in the Wood" or to those managers of theaters where this pop | ular story has brought grist to the mill
 From estimates received the sum of e1.G0O would be required. The inhabitants number only S00-a few small farmers and agricultural Iu.t1 f. x,cf ~ l Will antiquarians and others 1elp me l to preserye it for them, and make it decent for divine worship? l propose also to place in the church | a memorial in memory of the Babes, out of gratitude for the ballad, found ed on their history, when Py Pyotestant and Papist were eontending for the mastery
 Their reputed uncle is commemorat- ed by a mural tablet in Merton church, the adjoining parish: it is only fitting then the Ba bes should be remembered in the old Collegiate church. The Bishop of Norwich, II. H. Prince Frederick Duleep Singh. and other keen antiquarians who know the his- tory of the neighborhood with its needs, are backing my appeal to a generous public, always ready to lis ten to the needs of today. coupled with the story of the days that are past.
 Very faithfully yours,
 CHARLES KENT,
 Rector of Merton, Norfolk.
 Author of "The Land of the Babes in the Wood"
 Merton Pectory, Thetford
 P. S.-Donations may be sent to me or to Messrs Barclay, Bankers, Wat ton, Norfolk.
 The Bishops Foreword.
 October 4, 1910.
 I would rejoice to hear that anti quarians and others interested in by gone days of England would unite in the preservation of the very fine church of Thompson. which I have personally visited. E. NORVIC.
 General Approval.
 This scheme for the preservation of the Interesting old Collegiate church of Thompson has our hearty approval and we strongly commend it to all antiquarians and lovers of the de- lightful old ballad (Signed) SIDNEY PELHA M
 Archdeacon of Norfolk WALSINGHAg
 FREDERICK DULEEP SINGH, F.S.A EDMUND FARRER. FS.A. AUGUSTUS JESSOPP, D.D., F.S.A. HENRY LEE WARNER CHARLES B. HANBURY.