18.--A severe gale wrought much havoc on the Norfolk coast. The Short
Blue fishing fleet suffered severely, the Yarmouth smack Royal Standard
was lost, many other casualties occurred, and remarkable escapes were
recorded.
19.--Died at his residence, Harford Lodge, Lieutenant-Colonel Charles
Edward Bignold, Mayor of Norwich. Col. Bignold, whose age was 64, was
fourth son of Sir Samuel Bignold, some time Member of Parliament for the
city. In his boyhood he became associated with his father in the
official direction of the Norwich Union Fire Insurance Society; from 1858
until the death of Sir Samuel in 1875, he was his assistant; and after
that date he filled the office of secretary of the society. In 1852 he
joined the West Norfolk Militia as lieutenant, and ultimately attained
the rank of lieutenant-colonel. He married in 1856, Cecilia, third
daughter of Mr. J. F. Graver Browne, of Morley Hall, Wymondham. On five
occasions Col. Bignold was elected to the Norwich Town Council as
representative of the old Fifth Ward; in 1889 he sustained his only
electoral defeat, and was thereupon elected to an aldermanic seat. A
staunch and earnest Churchman and Conservative he was for many years
president of the old Eldon Club, and shortly before the death of his
father was elected leader of the Conservative party in Norwich, and
enjoyed until the close of his life the loyal and enthusiastic adherence
of the rank and file of the party. Col. Bignold was a Deputy-Lieutenant
and magistrate for the county of Norfolk, and a justice of the peace for
the city, and one of the original members of the Norfolk County Club.
["It is nearly a century and a quarter since any Mayor of Norwich died in
his official year. The last event of the kind occurred in 1774--Mr. John
Langley Watts."] Upon the death of Col. Bignold votes of sympathy and
condolence were passed by various public bodies, and on the 26th the
Bishop of Exeter preached the funeral sermon at the church of St. Mark,
Lakenham.
21.--The Prince of Wales arrived at Yarmouth, and on the 22nd attended a
ball given at the Royal Assembly Rooms by the officers of the Norfolk
Artillery Militia. On the 23rd his Royal Highness, as hon. colonel,
inspected the regiment, and on the 24th left by special train for
Norwich.
24.--The Prince of Wales visited Norwich for the purpose of unveiling the
Pelham memorial throne at the Cathedral. His Royal Highness was received
at Thorpe railway-station by the Dean, the Deputy-Mayor (Sir Peter Eade),
and the Sheriff (Mr. S. G. Hill), and escorted by a detachment of the 1st
King's Dragoon Guards was driven to the Cathedral. The Bishop and the
Cathedral body met his Royal Highness at the great west door, whence a
procession was formed to the choir, where a vast congregation had
assembled to witness the ceremony. The Prince having unveiled the
throne, was thanked for his gracious presence by Mr. Samuel Hoare, M.P.,
on behalf of the diocese. His Royal Highness afterwards inspected
various points of interest in the Cathedral, and was entertained to
luncheon at the Deanery by the Dean and Mrs. Lefroy. At 3.10 p.m. he
proceeded to town by ordinary train. The memorial throne was designed by
Mr. John L. Pearson, R.A., and with the exception of the sculptured
figures, which were carved by Mr. N. Hitch, of London, the work was
executed by Messrs. Cornish and Gaymer, of North Walsham.
28.--At a special meeting of the Norwich Town Council, Sir Peter Eade was
elected to fill the casual vacancy of Mayor, occasioned by the death of
Col. Bignold. The Mayor-elect nominated Mr. C. R. Gilman as his deputy.