Diary entries can be a very useful historical source. Many will include entries about an individual’s ‘day to day’ life as well as a record of other happenings and events. Minute Books for meetings taking place in a particular parish can also include details of important and, sometimes, unusual events. In this case, I found…
The History of Glenfield House & Cottage – Part I
Photograph taken December 2023 Despite many changes over the last two centuries, the above scene at the corner of Attleborough Road and Church Street, will still be recognisable to those who lived in village at the turn of the 19th century. In this article we look at the history of Glenfield House and Glenfield Cottage….
The History of Glenfield House & Cottage – Part II
Photograph taken December 2023 Great Ellingham is fortunate to have a wealth of historical houses. Many of these may have narrowly escaped the fate of demolition, as happened to so many of the village’s old cottages. Glenfield House and Glenfield Cottage comprise the characterful thatched house standing along the Attleborough Road, near to the junction…
The History of Glenfield House & Cottage – Part III
Photograph taken December 2023 In Parts I and II of the ‘History of Glenfield House & Cottage”, we looked at the owners and occupiers of this delightful thatched and tiled house from around 1762 until 1865. Here in Part III, we continue the story. ‘Glenfield’ It is only in relatively recent times that the thatched…
The Baptist Church sells the ‘Old School Room’
The former British School in Long Street. Image courtesy of Sue Fay Norfolk Heritage Explorer describes ‘Great Ellingham British School’ as ‘A small, plain building’. It also goes on to say that ‘There is little known of its history, and it is now a house’. Looking at the image of the building (possibly from the…
The History of the Double Cottage built on Pennell Common – Part I
Double Cottage at Penhill Road. Photograph courtesy of McDouall family For nearly two centuries, the above double cottage is one of just a few houses in Penhill Road. It was built around 1810 on a piece of land formerly part of of ‘Pennell Common’. Like many other historical houses in the village, the cottage has…
The History of the Double Cottage built on Pennell Common – Part II
Double Cottage at Penhill Road Photograph courtesy of the McDouall family This double cottage has stood along Penhill Road since at least 1811. Like many other historical houses in the village, the cottage has undergone many changes over the years. Furthermore, it will have seen the comings and goings of many occupants. We left Part…
The History of The Crown Public House – Part I
Extract from an 1802 Abstract of Title to an Estate called the Crown in Great EllinghamCourtesy Shirley Caston Deeds contain fascinating and interesting information. For example, details of the land, premises, owners, occupiers and even lenders. Maps or plans drawn on early Indentures are ‘few and far between’. Accordingly, these early documents describe the position…
The History of The Crown Public House – Part II
In the past, there were at least five pubs in Great Ellingham. Today, The Crown is the only pub remaining. The Crown Public House, the venue for the Heritage Open Days’ events in 2023 & 2024 There has been an inn or public house on either the exact same spot, or very near to, the…
The History of The Crown Public House – Part III
The Crown Public House possible 1960s. Courtesy Tony Brooks The Crown in Church Street is one of at least five pubs and beer houses which were once in Great Ellingham. However, it is now the only surviving public house in the village. The origins of the pub go back over 200 years. The first mention…