Recreation Ground
Recreation Ground
The original pavilion
The original pavilion building which was destroyed by fire. The new pavilion was built in 1960.
Memorial plaque
The memorial plaque on the pavilion to three of the Goulder family
The original Aylsham Show
The Aylsham Show, now a huge event in the grounds of Blickling Hall, began life on the recreation ground on June 10th 1946. Organised to raise money to improve some of the facilities on the Rec. the event took place despite typical bank holiday rain.
Recreation Ground
The Recreation Ground and Pavilion are among Aylsham's most treasured community assets. The 11-acre site was presented to the town on 27 April 1920 by John William and Mary Goulder as a permanent memorial to three of their sons who lost their lives during the First World War.
The Goulder family were well-known local farmers with seven children. Within just eighteen months they suffered the devastating loss of three sons. Sergeant John Lee Goulder of the 5th Battalion, Norfolk Regiment, was killed at Suvla Bay during the Gallipoli campaign on 12 August 1915. Corporal Robert Christopher Goulder, formerly employed in the counting house at Colman's Carrow Works, was killed during the Battle of the Somme in 1916 and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial in France. His brother, Lance Corporal Clare Horsley Goulder, died later that year from wounds received at Carnoy on the Somme and is buried in Aylsham Cemetery.
Insurance money paid following Robert's death also helped fund the construction of the memorial pavilion.
From its earliest days the Recreation Ground became the home of Aylsham's football and cricket clubs and provided space for sports, fetes and community celebrations. Following the Second World War, local volunteers sought new ways to improve the facilities, particularly for children. Their efforts led to the Aylsham Fete and Gymkhana, held on Whit Monday, 10 June 1946. Despite post-war austerity and wet weather, the event attracted more than 500 visitors and successfully raised money for children's play equipment.
That modest event marked the beginning of what would become the Aylsham Show. As its popularity grew, the Recreation Ground soon became too small. The show moved to Blickling Park in 1955, where it has developed into one of Norfolk's largest agricultural shows, raising well over £1 million for local charities and community organisations. Supporting the Recreation Ground remains one of the show's founding charitable objectives.
Today the Recreation Ground continues to be at the heart of community life. Home to cricket, tennis, bowls and many local activities, it stands not only as a lasting memorial to the Goulder brothers but also as a living reminder of how generosity and remembrance created a place that has benefited generations of Aylsham residents.
Melanie Claxton
Melanie Claxton is a Norfolk-based mixed media artist whose work brings together textiles, sculpture and painting to create richly textured and expressive pieces. Inspired by colour, pattern and the natural world, she enjoys exploring a wide range of materials and techniques, allowing each project to develop its own unique character.
A graduate of Norwich University of the Arts, where she gained a BA (Hons) in Contemporary Textile Practice, Melanie has developed a creative practice that combines traditional craft skills with contemporary design. She particularly enjoys collaborating on community arts projects, contributing to initiatives both locally and further afield, and has exhibited her work in a number of pop-up galleries across Norfolk.
Alongside her own artistic practice, Melanie is an Art and Design teacher, sharing her enthusiasm for creativity with the next generation of artists and makers. Encouraging experimentation, confidence and self-expression is central to both her teaching and her own work, reflecting her belief that art should be accessible, engaging and enjoyable for everyone.
Melanie's contribution to the Aylsham Heritage Snail Trail reflects her passion for community art and her ability to transform ideas into imaginative and tactile creations. Whether working with fabric, paint or sculptural materials, she brings warmth, originality and a playful sense of creativity to every project.
More of Melanie's work can be found on Instagram at @kraftybird, where she shares her latest creations, works in progress and community collaborations.
All historical images reproduced here courtesy of Aylsham Town Archive, a part of Aylsham Town Council
