This story touches on the tragic death of one year old Harriet Maud Hall. I thought carefully about whether to write about Harriet’s death in 1890. It is not a happy story, but it reflects the reality of life, particularly at that time. Tragedies happened – and, unfortunately, still do. Accordingly, I came to the…
Category: Beales
The Living Conditions in Robert Oldfield’s Church Street Cottage
Amongst other things, the provisions of the Housing of the Working Classes Act gave enforcement powers to local authorities, in relation to sanitary conditions and overcrowding in housing. 1901 census Wreningham born William Lane came to Great Ellingham with his wife and two children before the birth of their son William c.1896. The 1901 census…
WWII and Deopham Green Airfield
The straight road across what would have been the airfield between Great Ellingham and Deopham. Photograph taken July 2019 Although I tend to concentrate my blogs on the events and people in the village of Great Ellingham in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, it would be remiss of me not to mention Deopham Green Airfield….
The History of the Chequers Public House
At the beginning of the nineteenth century, the Chequers Public House was owned by Mary Warren. Mary also occupied the Chequers her husband, William Warren. An Abstract of Title (extracts of deeds) refer to William Warren as a victualler (a person licensed to sell alcohol) of Great Ellingham. Accordingly, I think it is reasonable to…
‘Mass Emigration’ from Great Ellingham in 1836
Illustration by Christine Fuller Borrowing to Fund the Emigration of the Poor Persons of the Parish One of the provisions of the Poor Law Amendment Act 1834, was the legislation which enabled the rate payers of a parish to set up a fund to pay for the ‘emigration of the poor persons settled in the…
Henry Cobon of White Hall, Town Green
Following the departure of the Barnard family from The Hall at Great Ellingham, the next occupiers were Henry and Mary Cobon. Great Ellingham Hall. Photograph taken September 2020 Old Hall Farmhouse in Great Ellingham is a Grade II listed building. British Listed Buildings website describes the c.1570 building as timber framed with wattle and daub….
Ploughing Match at the Queens Head
Illustration by Christine Fuller The Eastern Daily Press of 12th June, 1906 reported on the third annual ploughing match held at the Queens Head Inn, on the previous Wednesday. Under the stewardship of G Banham and D Woodrow, the 44 competitors ploughed a field lent by Mr W Neale, with horses and plough lent by…
Toast of the Great Ellingham Bowls Club
Illustration by Christine Fuller Great Ellingham had a thriving Bowls Club during the 1930s. Certainly from 1933 to 1935, the club held its annual dinner and prize distribution in the Parish Room. The Eastern Daily Press of 29th October, 1934, reported on an attendance of around 30 members at the Great Ellingham Bowls Club annual…
Anyone for Tennis?
Illustration by Christine Fuller The Eastern Daily Press of Wednesday the 26th November, 1930, reported on a social evening held at ‘the Council School, Great Ellingham’ on the previous Friday. The event, organised to boost the funds of the village Tennis Club, was described as a success. Entertainment was provided by members and friends of…
Quoits belonging to Jacob Beales
Quoits that once belonged to Jacob Beales (1874-1952), the landlord of the Chequers Public House. Photograph courtesy of Graham Beales, great grandson of Jacob Beales In setting out the game of Quoits, Pear’s Cyclopaedia of May 1928 describes the Quoits themselves as ‘flattened rings, convex on the upper side, 8¼ inches to 9½ inches in…