“Until three years ago, we didn’t realise the significance of Mr Talman until two of his American descendants contacted me asking for a photo of the grave”, said Rector, Revd Keith Dally. “It was totally overgrown and broken in half by a holly tree growing through it!”
Since then Revd Dally has been researching the architect and discovered that he had been appointed to the Court of William and Mary in 1689 and worked on a number of notable buildings including Chatsworth House, Hampton Court Palace and a building that now forms part of Buckingham Palace. He was also responsible for Kimberly Hall near Wymondham and many other mansions across the country.
Revd Dally said:
“We knew it was important to honour the memory of such an important person who seems to have been largely lost to history and yet was on a par with Christopher Wren at the time. With the support and encouragement of some Trusts and individuals, including the current owner of Felmingham Hall, Roy Kent, we have been able to restore his original grave and erect a new headstone. The stone was carved by local stonemason, Nick Hindle, and local builder, Dougie Whitwood, worked on the original grave.”
The stone was unveiled and dedicated on 22 November at a ceremony attended by representatives of the local church, funders and local architects as well as Roy Kent. An exhibition, partly put together by Norfolk Association of Architects, was also on display in the church.
Photos by Robert Barker.
