Shops and Trades

Although living only 12 miles from the city of Norwich, until the mid-20th century most Forncett residents had to obtain most of their needs locally. Families fortunate to have a plot of land could grow much of their food, but other goods had to be bought from travelling hawkers or from local shops and traders. Reference to trade directories and census records gives some insight into the different trades that were represented in Forncett. Between 1850 and 1939 these included blacksmiths, shoemakers, bakers, butchers, grocers and drapers, millers and maltsters, carpenters, cycle repairers, postmaster, and carriers. Today there are no shops in Forncett and virtually all of the trades of the 19th and 20th centuries have gone!