Many written accounts of ‘everyday histories’ focus on prominent figures and major events. However, it is the documenting of the working class which preserves the lived experiences of ordinary people. We are indebted to Great Ellingham man Harry Rix. In 2001, 80 year old Harry decided to record some of his boyhood memories of the…
Category: Beales
Harry Rix’s Early Boyhood Recollections of Great Ellingham – Chequers Lane & into Hingham Road
I have no doubt that many of the people living in the village today will remember Harry Rix. He was an upstanding member of the community and, for many years, was a member of the Parish Council. Harry, with the full name of Henry Robert Rix, was born in a cottage in Long Street on…
Occupiers of the Cottages in Watton Road 1891-1942
The three pairs of semi-detached cottages with the former Prince of Wales Inn to the right along the Watton to Attleborough Road. March 2026. Courtesy Alison Crowter The above photograph shows the former Prince of Wales Inn (on the far right) and the three pairs of semi-detached cottages. These may have been built at a…
The History of the Double Cottage on Stalland Common – Part II
The Cottage formerly known as Hillside and now Owl Cottage at Stalland CommonCourtesy A. M. Like many of the village’s historical houses, ‘Owl Cottage’ at Stalland Common was built as a double cottage. It is only in modern times that the house became one dwelling. In Part I, we looked at some of the owners…
The Building of the Baptist Chapel
Baptist Chapel, Long Street, Great EllinghamAttleborough Heritage Group The listing for the Great Ellingham Baptist Chapel on the British Listed Buildings website describes the building as: Baptist chapel. 1824. Brick with gabled pantile roof. 2 storeys. Pair of modified Doric columns on plinths support Ionic architrave to form porch. One sash window left and right…
Ellis Beales’ working life begins at the age of 8!
The finding of a newspaper article relating to a Golden Wedding celebration, provides an insight into the life of Great Ellingham born Ellis Beales. Ellis recounts in much detail his working life, which began when he was just 8 years old. From the Yarmouth Independent dated 1st December, 1934: GOLDEN WEDDINGMR & MRS ELLIS BEALES…
Timeline of the History of The Crown
Church Street including the Old Thatche Shoppe to the left, Islay House to the right and the Crown Public House with adjoining shops in the centre. Date unknownAttleborough Heritage Group For centuries, the Crown Public House has been an integral part of Great Ellingham. It is one of five known pubs in Great Ellingham and…
1972 Village Playing Fields Committee’s Fete raises £160
Illustration Christine Fuller The illustration is creative interpretation and intended for humour only. No offence is intended or implied The following article was published in the Diss Express on Friday 4th August, 1972: After a wet morning on Saturday, the Playing Fields Committee at Great Ellingham were pleased to see their work blessed by a…
Joseph Warren is the next custodian of Cemetery Farm
Extract from 1906 Ordnance Survey Map. Second Edition. Surveyed in 1881. Revised 1904 In 1862, 31 year old Joseph Warren inherited two farms in Great Ellingham. The farms had belonged to John Whittred, his late maternal grandfather. The larger of the two farms, later known as Cemetery Farm (today Home Farm), was purchased by John…
The Browne Family’s Farm in Long Street
1960s Long Street with the old farmhouse of what was later known as Broadmarsh Farm to the top of the photograph with surrounding cottages. Fir Tree Farm is the white cottage to the right (as facing the photograph) Courtesy of Michelle Baron The Great Ellingham Inclosure documentation c.1802, tells us that Hannah Browne owned and…