The Ordnance Survey and North Norfolk Council Information spell the village name 'Matlaske' while the parish name is 'Matlask', without the ‘e’. The name comes from Old English and means 'Ash tree where meetings are held'. The village is located in the north west of the county and sits just outside the landscaped grounds of Barningham Hall.
Matlaske has an entry in the Domesday Book of 1085 in which Matlaske is recorded by the name of Matelasc, Matelesc or Matingeles. The parish is recorded as king's land in the custody of Godric; from Count Alan and Ribald.
During the summer of 1940 Matlaske became home to a satellite airbase to RAF Coltishall which is located 12 miles south east of the village and by October 1940 two grass runways were in operation here.
The parish church at Matlaske dates as far back as the Saxon period and has a round tower of Norman origins, part of the original church which stood here between 1066 and 1189. During a service on 19 March 1726 the chancel collapsed and was never rebuilt. You can find out more about the church on the church micro page for this building.
A short distance North West of the village is the Barningham estate and within it Barningham Hall, a grade I listed building. The mansion was built in 1612 for Sir Edward Paston, constructed in red brick and stone and is a fine example of Jacobean architecture. The west elevation has a three storey porch tower with two-storied dormer windows. The south elevation was remodelled in 1805 by Humphrey and John Adey Repton. They also installed a central oriel window and extra bay windows and had a hand in much of the interior work although there is panelling and plasterwork which date back to the 17th century. The landscaped grounds are also the work of the Reptons. They created the park, lake and woodlands and set out the terrace on the south of the house. An avenue of oak trees leads to the west front of the hall. There is also a walled kitchen garden. In the grounds are the remains of Saint Mary's church, where Sir Charles Mott-Radclyffe, his first wife Diana Mott-Radclyffe and second wife Lady Stella Mott-Radclyffe are buried. The film 'Brothers of the Hood' was shot in the grounds of Barningham.
On the south west lane out of the village at a road junction is the old school house which was built in 1876 but was closed in 1964. The school served as a village hall until the late 1970s when the property was renovated and turned into private dwellings.
The cache is not located at the coordinates above but you will need to visit the object here to obtain the information below:
Numbers needed can be found on the unveiling plaque below the village sign
The sign was unveiled on 1A Dec 2BCD
E = Number of words on the second line
F = Number of words on the fourth line
G = Number of words on the sixth line
N52 52.FBG E001 11.C((AxE)+G))B
The cache can be found a short drive away or a 10 minute walk away. The cache contains a log only so please bring a pen or pencil with you. You are looking for 2ml vial.
**************************************
If anybody would like to expand this series please do. I would just ask that you let SmokeyPugs know first so they can keep track of the Village Sign numbers and names to avoid duplication..
*************************************