A £6,000 grant from the Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk is helping True’s Yard Museum complete the next phase of a project that has uncovered significant remains of the town’s historic fishing community.
The grant has helped bridge a funding gap in works being undertaken at the North End heritage site, following the discovery of the original cobbled yard and the remains of four long-lost cottages dating back to the late 18th century.
The discoveries reveal the full extent of the yard for the first time in decades.
Councillor Alistair Beales, Leader of the Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk, said: “True’s Yard is the last surviving yard of the North End fishing community in King’s Lynn and is hugely important to our town’s rich history and culture.
“We all know about the homes and lifestyles of the rich and famous, but places like True’s Yard help us understand how the people who made the town work actually lived.
“The council is delighted to help support this project. The restoration of the yard will bring significant educational, tourism and community benefits, while preserving an important part of King’s Lynn’s heritage for future generations.”
Dr Paul Richards, local historian and trustee of the North End Trust, which runs True’s Yard Museum, said: “When we began the work, we expected to find a mishmash of remains beneath the modern surface. Instead, we uncovered the original cobbled yard, the doorsteps of the four lost cottages and the outlines of the buildings themselves.
“What we’ve actually found is a huge piece of the hidden yard. The discoveries have revealed the site to a much greater extent than we ever anticipated and strengthened its historical significance.
“At its peak, around 60 people lived in the six cottages here. It tells an important story about the lives of ordinary working people and the fishing families who shaped the history of King’s Lynn. I believe True’s Yard can now claim to be one of the most important working-class heritage sites in East Anglia.”
The next stage of the project will see the historic cobbles carefully reset and protective measures installed to preserve the archaeological remains while making the yard accessible for visitors, school groups and community activities.
Longer-term plans include reconstructing the frontages of the four lost cottages, based on the historic photographic record, while creating much-needed space for archives, meetings, research, education programmes and community events. The aim is to establish True’s Yard as an enhanced heritage, education and community resource at the heart of the North End.
Dr Richards added: “We are extremely grateful for the support we have received from the borough council and the wider community. The response has shown just how much people value this unique site and the stories it tells about King’s Lynn’s past.”
