his body was brought to Sprowston for burial in a barrel vault excavated under the altar at St Mary and St Margaret and a large marble monument was erected above it. In the 18th century the manor was sold to Sir Lambert Blackwell, a governor of the South Sea Company and he was created a baronet in 1718. In the 19th century the manor went through a number of families until it came into the hands of the Gurneys. In 1876 John Gurney, who was mayor of Norwich and blind, rebuilt Sprowston Hall. In 1885 he gave money for the building of St Cuthbert's Church and a new vicarage to serve the development known as New Sprowston which was being built. Today (2010), Sprowston Hall is now used as a hotel and is the location of Sprowston Manor Golf Club. During the 18th century it is recorded that the population was less than 200, but by 1901 it had increased to 2,359. Sprowston Mill was built in 1780 and made famous by John Crome, of the Norwich School of painting. It burnt down in 1933, a few days before it was to be handed over to the Norfolk Archaeological Trust, but is still used as a symbol by Sprowston Community High School and is depicted on the village sign. The artist Thomas Lound was born in Sprowston in 1801. Today In 2011, Sprowston chose to move from a parish council to a town council but not to have a mayor. Sprowston Community High School, 'a mixed community comprehensive school of 1750 students,' serves ages 11–18 and has recently separated from the KETT sixth form trio, using its own independent sixth form. There are three Junior Schools: Falcon, Sprowston and White Woman Lane and three Infant Schools: Cecil Gowing, Sparhawk and Sprowston. The town has three churches: St Mary and St Margaret's (the parish church) and St Cuthbert's (both Anglican) and the Sprowston Methodist Church. There is one chapel, called Gage Road Chapel. Sprowston Hall is now a hotel and is the location of Sprowston Manor Golf Club. Notes References External links Sprowston Town Council The Parish of Sprowston Sprowston Community High School Towns in Norfolk Civil parishes in Norfolk Areas of Norwich Broadland