Black Beauty from the station from which he commuted to work. Her dependence on horse-drawn transportation fostered her respect for horses. Sewell's introduction to writing began in her youth when she helped edit the works of her mother, Mary Wright Sewell (1797–1884), a deeply religious, popular author of juvenile best-sellers. Anna Sewell never married or had children. In visits to European spas, she met many writers, artists, and philanthropists. Her only book was "Black Beauty", written between 1871 and 1877 in her house at Old Catton. During this time, her health was declining, and she could barely get out of bed. Her
Sewell Barn Theatre small theatre. In 1980, the Sewell Barn Theatre Company was formed. Their first public production "The Norfolk Furies" was written and directed by Henry Burke (the first Artistic Director), and staged at the barn. The company stages a number of productions every year, ranging from Shakespeare to Alan Ayckbourn. In February 2008 the company presented its 200th production "The Winter's Tale". Membership of the Sewell Barn company is open to everyone, and workshops are open to non-members. The foyer was renovated in 2012. As of 2016, the Artistic Directors are Cassie Tillett and Clare Williamson. Sewell Barn Theatre Sewell Barn