Eastern Counties Omnibus Company VR284 (VEX 284X) in Walsingham – August 1991

August 1991 - Eastern Counties Omnibus Company VR284 (VEX 284X), an Eastern Coachworks bodied Bristol VR new in September 1981, seen turning from High Street to Common Place in Walsingham, when working the 1640 service 452 from Norwich to Fakenham/1800 service 452 from Fakenham to Wells-next-the-Sea.

Walsingham, correctly Little Walsingham, has been a major centre of religious pilgrimage since medieval times with Roman Catholic, Anglican and Greek Orthodox shrines and churches present in the village. In 1061, according to legend, Lady Richeldis the owner of Walsingham Manor, had a vision of the Virgin Mary which led her to create a replica of Nazareth’s Holy House at Walsingham. The gateway of the ruined priory is visible directly behind the bus. On the left of the photograph is the Old Pump House in Common Place which dates from the mid-1500s.