There are two memorials in the churchyard, just
off the pathway leading to the Old Vicarage, which read; Sacred to the memory of
The Rev. Frederick William Skinner, the beloved husband of Agnes Mary Skinner,
for 34 years Vicar of this Parish, who entered into rest October 3rd 1931 aged
80 years. "Until death us do unite" also of Agnes Mary his wife, died
October 11th 1939 aged 88 years and of Harold William Chetwynd Skinner, grandson
died Nov 15th 1939. The second memorial reads; Sacred to the memory of Elizabeth
Skinner, who died August 24th 1899, aged 81 "he giveth his beloved
sleep" Ps. CXX v.11.
From Arthur Mee's Norfolk published 1951:
" Tibenham, The Gay Road to the
Corner". Pink walled cottages make gay the village road, and at
a pretty corner cream-walled houses and the old harnessmakers workshop, all
with mossy pantiled roofs, shelter snugly under the limes and beeches
screening the flint church. Nearby is a charming old farmhouse with yellow
walls and a group of ornamental chimneys, and an old cottage with an
overhanging storey and a huge chimney rising from the ground. Coming largely
from the 14th century, the church has a massive 500 year old tower rising
impressively about the trees, its crown of battlements with symbols of the
Four Evangelists for pinnacles. The porch is a doorway adorned with flower
heads, and arches on clustered columns divide the nave and aisle, which both
look up to worn old timber roofs. There is a traceried font 500 years old,
quaint seats for the priests under an arch, and a niche by the chancel arch is
an old wall painting. Across a bay of the aisle is a gallery reached by a
flight of stairs; it bears the arms of the Buxtons, who were given permission
by Archbishop Laud to erect it for their servants. A fine Jacobean chest has a
carved medallion, and the canopied Jacobean pulpit has a mass of rich carving.
We noticed a tablet to ROBERT SKINNER, who grew up in the Vicarage garden
behind the find yew hedge and died for his country in Flanders.
In fact there are four memorials inside on
the church walls Harold W.C. Skinner Brave airman 15th Nov 1939 Gilbert C.
Skinner 5 Sept 1928 Sgt.. R.S. Skinner 3 Feb 1915. Queen Victoria Riffles. 4th
son the Vicar of this Parish, buried at Dranoutre. Cuthbert Wm.. eldest son of
Rev. F.W. Skinner 16th July 1912, supt military works service in India.
Source. Register of Services and the Official
Parochial Register. From 21 Feb. 1897 to December 28 1919.
- 1897 Feb 21st at 10.30.a.m. F.W. Skinner -
Holy Communion at 3 p.m.
- 1897 Feb 28th at 10.30 a.m. ditto at 3 p.m.
ditto
- 1897 March 3rd Ash Wednesday F.W. Skinner at
7.30 p.m.
- 1897 March 7th at 10.30 a.m. F.W. Skinner -
Holy Communion at 3 p.m. ditto
- 1897 March 11th at 7.30 p.m. F.W.
Skinner and W. Cooper
- 1897 March 14th 10.30 a.m. F.W. Skinner
at 3 p.m. ditto
- 1897 March 17th at 7.30 p.m. F.W. Skinner and
E.D.Farendall
- 1897 March 21st at 8.a.m. F.W. Skinner - Holy
Communion at 10.30.a.m. ditto at 3 p.m. ditto
- 1897 March 24 at 7.30.p.m. Induction Service,
with Rural Dean and preacher J. Cooper.
- 1897 March 28 and 10.30. and 3 p.m. F.W.
Skinner, .......and so the pattern continues.
In 1918 for the whole month various visiting
Vicars preached, then in April the Rev. Skinner enters "21st April
2.30.p.m. Knights Memorial Service" and "30th June 3.30 p.m. Burial
Service Corp. Turner" Rev. F.W. Skinner, Ordained by the Bishop of Norwich,
Inducted March 24th 1897. Date of Institution Feb 1st 1897. Degrees at B.A.
Cambs. & B.A.. Lond. previously curate of Ashwellthorpe and Wrenningham,
(both south of Norwich).
I also have some extracts from Church Magazines
dated 1904, which presumably Rev. Skinner wrote, there is also a small
photograph framed and hanging in the Vestry, which we believe to be your
g.g.grandfather and possibly two collection plates, known to be expertly carved
by a former Vicar, of the Victorian era.