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…
Author: Heather Etteridge
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…
Turner’s Farm in Penhill Road – Part II
In 1800, there were three farms along Penhill Road. William Cockell owns the farm furthest west. It is occupied by William Stebbings. Much later, this farm became known as Penhill Farm West. Joseph Flodman Clover owns a nearby farm. This farm is ‘split’ between two occupiers. Robert Pain occupies the cottage with a barn and…
Turner’s Farm in Penhill Road – Part I
Historically the village of Great Ellingham was very much a farming community. Farms and smallholdings lay scattered across the village, with many of the working population finding work on these farms. Today despite changes in farming practices and recent large-scale housing developments, the village retains its agricultural legacy. It is only in more recent times…
Basil Jude’s “Crime”: Selling Milk at Tuppence a Pint
Louis Lebbell son of dairy farmer William Lebbell, neighbours to Basil Jude, with pails of milk in Long Street c.1932Photograph courtesy of Susan Fay I came across the following interesting report published in the Daily Express of the 29th November, 1934 under the heading ‘The Farmer Who Sold Cheap Milk To The Poor‘. This was…
The Owners & Occupiers of Homelea Farm – Part III
Homelea Farm in the distance centre of the photograph. June 2026 Homelea Farm is tucked away along a ‘driftway’ off Penhill Road. The road has also been known as Penhill Lane and Pen Hill. In Part I, we established that the farmhouse was probably built between 1843 and 1861. The property has also been known…