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:''For the Sanskrit word see Soham''
'Soham' is a small town in the English county of Cambridgeshire. It lies just off the A142 between Ely and Newmarket (Suffolk). Its population is 9,102 (2001 census), and it is within the district of East Cambridgeshire.
St Felix of Burgundy founded an Abbey here during the 7th century in around 630AD but this was later destroyed by the Danes in 870AD. A Saxon nobleman called Luttingus built a Cathedral and Palace at Soham around 900AD and was situated on the site of the present day Church of St. Andrews and adjacent land.
St. Andrew's Church dates back to the 12th century and traces of the Saxon Cathedral still exist within the fabric of church today. In 1102 AD Hubert de Burgh, Chief Justice of England, granted 'Ranulph' certain lands in trust for the Church of St. Andrews. Ranulph is recorded as the first Vicar of Soham and had a hand in designing the 'new' Norman Church.The current church is mainly later with the tower being the lastest addition in the 15th century. This tower was built to replace a fallen crossing tower and now has a peal of ten bells. The back 6 were cast in 1788 with two new trebles and two bells recast in 1808.
The first black British author and anti-slave activist, Olaudah Equiano otherwise known as Gustavus Vassa, married a local girl Susannah Cullen at St. Andrew's Church, Soham on 7th April 1792 and the couple took up residence in the town for a while.
They had two daughters, Anna Maria was born on 16th October 1793, and was baptised in St. Andrew's Church on 30th January 1794. Their second child, Joanna Vassa was born on 11th April 1795, and was baptised in St. Andrew's Church on 29th April 1795.
Soham Village College is one of a number of secondary schools of a type unique to Cambridgeshire.
By an unfortunate co-incidence, despite its small size and relatively undistinguished nature, the town of Soham has twice become very well known nationally in connection with tragic incidents.
The town narrowly escaped destruction on June 2, 1944, during the Second World War, when a fire developed on the lead wagon of a heavy ammunition train travelling slowly along the line through the town. The town was saved by the bravery of four railway staff, Ben Gimbert (Driver), Jim Nightall (Fireman), Frank Bridges (Signalman) and Herbert Clarke (Guard), who uncoupled the rest of the train and drove the engine and lead wagon clear of the town, where it exploded, killing Jim Nightall and Frank Bridges but causing no further deaths. Ben Gimbert survived and spent seven weeks in hospital. Although small in comparison to what would have happened if the entire train had blown up, the explosion caused substantial property damage. Gimbert and Nightall were both awarded the George Cross (Nightall posthumously). A permanent memorial was unveiled on Saturday 2nd June 2007 by HRH Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester followed by a service in St. Andrew's Church. The memorial is constructed of Portland Stone with a bronze inlay depicting interpretive artwork of the damaged train as well as text detailing the incident.
Main articles: Soham murders
In August 2002, Soham became the centre of international media attention due to the Soham murders. The victims were two 10-year-old girls living in the town, Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman. They disappeared on the evening of 4 August and were found dead some 10 miles away, near Wangford, on 17 August. Ian Huntley, a caretaker from the local college was later found guilty of their murders 16 months later and received life imprisonment. A High Court judge later ruled that Huntley should remain in prison until at least 2042 and the age of 68.
The region between Devil's Dyke and the line between Littleport and Shippea Hill shows a remarkable amount of archaeological findings of the Stone Age, the Bronze Age and the Iron Age. A couple of hoards of bronze objects are found in the area of Soham, including one with swords and spearheads of the later Bronze Age as well as a gold torque (1938).[1]
An extensive ditch system was found, not visible on aerial photographs, as well as a wooden track-way 800m in length between Fordey Farm (Barway) and Little Thetford with associated shards of later Bronze Age pottery (1935).
★ List of places in Cambridgeshire
★ Soham Abbey
★ Soham Village College
★ St Andrew's Primary School
★ The Weatheralls Primary School (Soham)
★ Soham On-Line Community Website (used as a reference)
★ 2001 Census
★ Soham Roots contains local history and genealogical resources
★ Soham Community Archive
★ Soham Grammarians The history, staff and pupils of Soham Grammar School which in 1972 became part of Soham Village College
'Soham' is a small town in the English county of Cambridgeshire. It lies just off the A142 between Ely and Newmarket (Suffolk). Its population is 9,102 (2001 census), and it is within the district of East Cambridgeshire.
History
St. Felix Of Burgundy 'Apostle Of The East Angles'
St Felix of Burgundy founded an Abbey here during the 7th century in around 630AD but this was later destroyed by the Danes in 870AD. A Saxon nobleman called Luttingus built a Cathedral and Palace at Soham around 900AD and was situated on the site of the present day Church of St. Andrews and adjacent land.
St. Andrew's Church dates back to the 12th century and traces of the Saxon Cathedral still exist within the fabric of church today. In 1102 AD Hubert de Burgh, Chief Justice of England, granted 'Ranulph' certain lands in trust for the Church of St. Andrews. Ranulph is recorded as the first Vicar of Soham and had a hand in designing the 'new' Norman Church.The current church is mainly later with the tower being the lastest addition in the 15th century. This tower was built to replace a fallen crossing tower and now has a peal of ten bells. The back 6 were cast in 1788 with two new trebles and two bells recast in 1808.
Olaudah Equiano or Gustavus Vassa
The first black British author and anti-slave activist, Olaudah Equiano otherwise known as Gustavus Vassa, married a local girl Susannah Cullen at St. Andrew's Church, Soham on 7th April 1792 and the couple took up residence in the town for a while.
They had two daughters, Anna Maria was born on 16th October 1793, and was baptised in St. Andrew's Church on 30th January 1794. Their second child, Joanna Vassa was born on 11th April 1795, and was baptised in St. Andrew's Church on 29th April 1795.
Soham Village College
Soham Village College is one of a number of secondary schools of a type unique to Cambridgeshire.
Tragic incidents
By an unfortunate co-incidence, despite its small size and relatively undistinguished nature, the town of Soham has twice become very well known nationally in connection with tragic incidents.
2nd June 1944 Soham Rail Disaster
The town narrowly escaped destruction on June 2, 1944, during the Second World War, when a fire developed on the lead wagon of a heavy ammunition train travelling slowly along the line through the town. The town was saved by the bravery of four railway staff, Ben Gimbert (Driver), Jim Nightall (Fireman), Frank Bridges (Signalman) and Herbert Clarke (Guard), who uncoupled the rest of the train and drove the engine and lead wagon clear of the town, where it exploded, killing Jim Nightall and Frank Bridges but causing no further deaths. Ben Gimbert survived and spent seven weeks in hospital. Although small in comparison to what would have happened if the entire train had blown up, the explosion caused substantial property damage. Gimbert and Nightall were both awarded the George Cross (Nightall posthumously). A permanent memorial was unveiled on Saturday 2nd June 2007 by HRH Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester followed by a service in St. Andrew's Church. The memorial is constructed of Portland Stone with a bronze inlay depicting interpretive artwork of the damaged train as well as text detailing the incident.
Soham-rail-disaster-memorial.jpg
Soham-rail-disaster-memorial2.jpg
The Soham Murders
Main articles: Soham murders
In August 2002, Soham became the centre of international media attention due to the Soham murders. The victims were two 10-year-old girls living in the town, Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman. They disappeared on the evening of 4 August and were found dead some 10 miles away, near Wangford, on 17 August. Ian Huntley, a caretaker from the local college was later found guilty of their murders 16 months later and received life imprisonment. A High Court judge later ruled that Huntley should remain in prison until at least 2042 and the age of 68.
Archaeology
The region between Devil's Dyke and the line between Littleport and Shippea Hill shows a remarkable amount of archaeological findings of the Stone Age, the Bronze Age and the Iron Age. A couple of hoards of bronze objects are found in the area of Soham, including one with swords and spearheads of the later Bronze Age as well as a gold torque (1938).[1]
An extensive ditch system was found, not visible on aerial photographs, as well as a wooden track-way 800m in length between Fordey Farm (Barway) and Little Thetford with associated shards of later Bronze Age pottery (1935).
See also
★ List of places in Cambridgeshire
★ Soham Abbey
Schools in Soham
★ Soham Village College
★ St Andrew's Primary School
★ The Weatheralls Primary School (Soham)
External links
★ Soham On-Line Community Website (used as a reference)
★ 2001 Census
★ Soham Roots contains local history and genealogical resources
★ Soham Community Archive
★ Soham Grammarians The history, staff and pupils of Soham Grammar School which in 1972 became part of Soham Village College
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