The man who loved his village so much he wrote a book about it

A Norfolk village’s local history has been turned into a published book after community demand for guided storytelling. Tim Bennett, a former head teacher at Belfrey School, has long led the “Accessible Guided History Walks of Overstrand,” which have attracted hundreds of residents and holiday visitors over more than a decade. His new book, published by Poppyland Publishing, is titled “Seaside Homes and Fishing Boats: A Walk Through Overstrand After the Great War, 1920-1930.” The richly illustrated work explores how Overstrand balanced established fishing with its rise as an exclusive seaside retreat for wealthy families and notable public figures during the 1920s. It discusses landmark properties such as The Pleasaunce, Overstrand Hall, Sea Marge, and the Old Rectory, and examines how the Great War shaped rebuilding, supported by census records and contemporary accounts. Bennett has lived in Overstrand for over 40 years and previously served as deputy head and then head teacher at the Belfry School.