Mr Henry Wightman

The following notes were taken off an old newspaper cutting I have in my possession, taken from a Beccles and Bungay Journal. Although there was no date on the cutting I assume it must have been sometimes in September 1961. It reads as follows:

A story of the business was related to the press at a function celebrating the centenary of the oldest business in the district by Mr Ronald Wightman, grandson of Mr Henry Wightman.

It was on 22nd of September 1856 that Mr H Wightman started in business as a draper at Saxmundham. After a few years he decided to move north to the Waveney town of Bungay. He took the present imposing property facing the Market Place and there, on February 13th 1861 he opened up in the Drapery Trade.

He began with a capital of £300 and, according to his records book which were in the possession of his grandson, takings at the shop during the first month amounted to just under £300.

About 1887, Mr Henry Wightman took into partnership his eldest son, Mr Henry Ernest Wightman. Together they ran the business with increasing success in 1903 until the death of the founder which occurred in 1903. Subsequently, Mr E. H Wightman carried it on by himself.

The next landmark in the history was in the early 1920’s when he took into partnership Mr Ronald Wightman, his eldest son who had returned from active service in the First World War.

The shop has remained in the family and today is owned by Mr John Wightman, grandson of Ronald Wightman. This wonderful shop with it's unique history is a must for any visitor to the town.

These notes were taken from the book :

“Town Reeves of Bungay 1725 – 1986” by John Harris (September 1986)

H Wightman was Town Reeve June-Dec 1884, 1884 – 5, 1892 – 93, 1898 – 99,
Born on 26th August 1830 at Cransford Suffolk. He married Mary Ann Hambling in 1857 having 6 sons and a daughter. In 1861 he founded the business of a draper and undertaker in Bungay Market Place and was known throughout East Anglia as a trade valuer. Bungay’s first County Councillor under the Local Government Act of 1888 he continued to serve until 1896.

For many years he was Chairman of the School Board of Governers of Bungay Grammar School, also superintendent of the Secondary School at the Congregational Church where he served as Deacon for 37 years and was a founder member of the Bungay Nursing Institute. He died in 1903.

Frank Honeywood
Town Recorder