Between the late 1800’s and the end of the First World War North Norfolk was a holiday playground of the very wealthy. It also attracted great artists, writers and even royalty. The appeal of the area waned after the War and it did not see a major resurgence in popularity until the 1970’s. Today it is one of the most popular areas of the UK for traditional seaside holidays.
Stiffkey in North Norfolk is a pretty village with houses lining each side of the main coast road, the A149. Unremarkable now, the village was nationally in the public eye in 1932 when the rector of the parish, Harold Davidson, was accused of immorality by a Consistory Court convened in Norwich. The charge related to Davidson’s work as a counsellor and carer for London’s prostitutes. This caused a great scandal and the court’s decision was that Davidson should be defrocked. Many thought the decision wrong and his friends and followers supported him to the end of his life. He is buried in Stiffkey churchyard. Approximately 3000 people attended the funeral.