Illustration Christine Fuller
Fund Raising
The practice of raising funds for good causes and the financial support provided by generous benefactors is centuries old. From directly asking for funds to holding events and collections, benevolent people have always supported those in need, sponsored community projects and generally ‘made a difference’ to the lives of others.
Of course, the fundraising is not limited to supporting the local community. Many local fund raising events benefit national causes, as well as the global needs of others.
Nevertheless in the past, the inhabitants of Great Ellingham were no exception in receiving the support of generous benefactors, and to staging fund raising events for the benefit of others. Indeed, fund raising events are still being held in the village today!
Support for the Poor of the Parish
In times before the modern welfare system, Great Ellingham’s poor looked to the parish for financial support in times of hardship. This monetary support came from the levy of the parish rate.
The ‘Town Book’ tells us that in 1757, the Overseers of the Poor spent £1 on the making of garments for the poor of the parish, and over £2 was spent on funeral charges for the poor.
Alms House
In 1769, widow Margaretta Maria Colman, the Lady of the Manor of Ellingham Hall, signed an Agreement for a Town House to be built in Great Ellingham on land owned by the Manor. The Town Accounts for the year 1770 reveal a payment of £43 2s 7½d. “towards the building of an Alms House“.
Schools
In 1855, the Baptist Church agreed for a British School (also known as The Day School) to be built on a piece of their land in Long Street. Around 10 years later in 1865, Lord Walsingham gifted a parcel of his land for the building of a National School.
Events
Some of the usual ways for fundraising is the holding of fetes and bazaars. Such events have raised much needed funds for many of the village’s clubs, societies and community assets – some of which are still going strong today. For example, St James’s Church, the Recreation Centre, the Cricket Club, the Friends of the School, the Scout Group.
In more recent times, a group of villagers began raising money for charitable good causes by the holding of a ‘Teddy Bear Festival‘. This annual village festival continues today.
Not only does the festival raise a considerable amount of money benefiting many charities, it attracts visitors to the village from far and wide. The festival also fosters fun, friendship and good community relationships.
Bazaar held at the home of Mr Cobon
Here we have a report of a typical fete or bazaar held in much earlier times in Great Ellingham. The report was published in the Downham Market Gazette on the 1st August, 1908:
BAZAAR – On Wednesday a bazaar was held in the grounds of Great Ellingham Hall, by invitation of Mr H Cobon. The proceeds were in aid of the funds for reducing the debt incurred by the repairs to the parish church. There were various stalls, including those for the sale of Portuguese pottery, African weapons, Thetford pulpware, and useful and fancy articles.
Refreshments were served and entertainments held at intervals, and races of all descriptions were successfully carried out. A band was also in attendance, and in the evening dancing was indulged in. The bazaar continued on Thursday
The report gives us an idea of what was happening at the bazaar which appears to have been a two-day event!
Great Ellingham Hall, the venue of the bazaar in 1908
Postcard from the 1960s
Courtesy of Susan Fay
Sources:
1741-1775. Great Ellingham Town Book. Norfolk Record Office. PD609/37.
1769. Agreement re the building of houses for the poor. Leave and Consent Margaretta Maria Colman of Hurst in Berkshire, Lady of the Manor of Ellingham Hall, to the Churchwardens and Overseers of the Poor of Great Ellingham re the building of houses for the poor on land at Town Green, Great Ellingham. Norfolk Record Office. Catalogue Ref: MC 2213/214, 941X7
1 August 1908 Downham Market Gazette. Viewed via The British Newspaper Archive