Parish Administration Prior to 1894 Prior to the establishment of Parish Councils, the responsibility for the day to day administration of the parish fell to the rector and some of the more affluent landowners – particularly those who could read, write and keep accounts. In Great Ellingham, the parish ‘officers’ such as the churchwardens, the…
Category: Lebbell
A Timely Passing through the Village
The Clock on the tower of St James’s Church, Great Ellingham. Photograph taken February 2023 ‘Smith of Derby’ writes to the Reverend Lavender Towards the end of November, 1968, the Reverend A R A Lavender received a letter from the Managing Director of the prestigious Clock Manufacturers ‘Smith of Derby’. J E Howard Smith informed…
Recollections of a Home Guard
Local Defence Volunteers to Home Guards Some of us will remember the sit-com ‘Dad’s Army‘ which was based on the Home Guard in World War 2. Dad’s Army was broadcast by the BBC from 1968 through to 1977. The Home Guard consisted of local volunteers (usually men) who were generally above or below the age…
Letter concerning Ann Saunders’ Burial in 1884
12 September 1908 Letter from G. Saunders regarding Ann Saunders. Courtesy Roger Banks Letter amongst a Bundle of Deeds The above letter was written over a century ago. It was amongst a bundle of deeds relating to Holly Croft Farm in Bow Street. The letter confirms the burial of Ann Saunders on June 18th, 1884,…
Villagers in Contravention of World War II Blackout Regulations
Emergency Powers Just days before the outbreak of the Second World War, the Emergency Powers (Defence) Act 1939 came into effect. This new legislation gave the government “special powers to take almost any action necessary to carry out the war successfully.” The new powers controlled many aspects of everyday life during the war – including…
Ownership of Land in the same Family for Generations
On the 5th June, 1837, Edward Wilkins purchased the former ‘Town House’ in Long Street. Since the erection of the Wayland Union Workhouse in nearby Rocklands, the ‘Town House’ was no longer needed to house the poor of Great Ellingham. Accordingly, it became surplus to requirements. I believe this property – or at least the…
Double Cottage in Long Street Built by Local Builder
‘Roselands’ Long Street Great Ellingham. Photograph taken September 2022 The delightful house with the name of ‘Roselands’ sits on the western side at the southern end of Long Street, Great Ellingham. It was built by a local builder during the mid-Victorian era. Over the last 160 years or so, the house will have seen the…
1865 Auction Sale of Barnaby Barnard’s Properties in Bow Street
During the early to mid-nineteenth century, Wymondham born Barnaby Ezekiel Barnard (also known as Barnabas Ezekiel Barnard), a yeoman, of Rockland St Peter, owned several properties in Great Ellingham. In his last will and testament, he appointed the Reverend William Bird (also of Rockland St Peter), and Ellis Turner, a farmer of Caston, as his…
Messuage built upon the tenement Greenhouse – Part IV
Semi-detached cottages (once referred to as the ‘Messuage built upon the tenement Greenhouse’) with adjoining cottages on the right. Corner of Chequers Lane/Long Street & Church Street. Postcard courtesy Carol Ewin The Story of the Owners and Occupiers of the House In Parts I, II and III, I have taken the history of this delightful…
Stained-Glass Window in Memory of Robert Barnard Lebbell and his wife Mary
Photograph courtesy of Steve Moore-Vale On the south side of the Church of St James, is a fine stained-glass window dedicated to two members of long-standing local families: Robert Barnard Lebbell and his wife Mary née Mann. The cost of the window was funded by their family. Photograph courtesy of Steve Moore-Vale Who was Robert…