Illustration Christine FullerThe illustration is creative interpretation and intended for humour only. No offence is intended or implied. Traditional historical records are heavily biased towards men, leaving women sidelined. Early records with few exceptions, will record the names of men but rarely women. For example, electoral registers (pre 1918), apprenticeships, property ownership etc. Accordingly, it…
The King Family’s Home at West View, Church Street
West View, Church Street, Great EllinghamPhotograph taken October 2026 The delightful cottage named ‘West View’ in Church Street was probably built around the 1870s. The house will have seen the comings and goings of many families during the last 150 years. One such family is the King family. 1939 Register The 1939 England & Wales…
Ex-Serviceman Jack Canham’s income of 30s a week
We first meet Jack Canham in a newspaper report published in November 1934. The report concerns the court case of Great Ellingham farmer Basil Jude. Jude’s crime is selling ‘cheap milk to the poor’. He found himself in trouble with the Milk Marketing Board for selling his milk at tuppence a pint – the price…
Charles Rivett, Drunk in Charge of a Horse & Cart
Illustration Christine FullerThe illustration is creative interpretation and intended for humour only. No offence is intended or implied I think it is fair to say that over-indulgence of alcohol was common in rural Victorian England. The village of Great Ellingham is no exception. In 1888, Great Ellingham had at least five pubs or beer-houses: The…
Joseph Grant pleads Guilty to Stealing a Mare
Illustration Christine FullerThe illustration is creative interpretation and intended for humour only. No offence is intended or implied. Reports concerning historical criminal cases often appear in newspapers. I came across the following report in the Norwich Argus of the 24th October, 1885: Norfolk Quarter SessionsRobbery of a Mare at Great EllinghamJoseph Grant, dealer, was charged…
Timeline of the Supply Stores in Church Street
Postcard c. early 1900s For centuries, Church Street was a main thoroughfare through the village. At various times, shops selling an assortment of wares, were along the road. Likely some of these shops would have been just the front room of the shopkeeper’s private house. They would also have been on a modest scale, selling…
Timeline of the Occupiers of ‘Ye Olde Thatche Shoppe’
The property once known as Ye Olde Thatche Shoppe in Church StreetPhotograph taken February 2012 Norfolk Heritage Explorer describes this delightful building as a much altererd 15th century plastered timber-framed house. It is likely to be a medieval ‘Hall House’ – a house consisting of a public hall with private living accommodation attached. It is…
Ernest & Florence Jermy live in the village for 25 years
The following report is published in the Diss Express on Friday 30 April 1965: Mr E.E. JERMY(Kenninghall) The funeral of Mr Ernest Edward Jermy, whose death occurred at the home of his daughter in Quidenham Road, Kenninghall, on Wednesday, April 14, took place at St Mary’s Church, Kenninghall, the Rev. H. Bridges officiating. Aged 91,…
John & Florence Ransome of Currier’s Farm
Extract from 1906 Ordnance Survey Map. Second Edition. Surveyed in 1881. Author’s Collection Curriers Arms The Curriers Arms Public House once stood along the road to Rocklands, not far from the Prince of Wales Public House. The green dot on the above extract from the 1906 Ordnance Survey map identifies the position of the public…
William Hammond sells ‘The Penhill Farm’
Penhill Farm is on the far left of this photograph taken in June 2026 For most (if not all) of the 19th century, the farm along Penhill Road which today we know as Penhill Farm, was owned by the Turner family. Turner Ownership John and Elizabeth Turner owned and occupied the property from before 1800…