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: Leeder
Long Street Dwelling at the corner with Penhill Road
In the past, property ownership was proven through a bundle of title deeds. These were handwritten paper documents which are then passed down from owner to owner. Today one still has to prove ownership to a property but, with the modern land registration system, it is usually much simpler to do. Historical deeds record details…
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…
Fete held in the Grounds of Hall Farm
Illustration Christine Fuller The illustration is creative interpretation and intended for humour only. No offence is intended or implied The following report was published in the Yarmouth Independent on Saturday 28th June 1930: FINE PARISH EFFORTFor the Recreation Ground at Great EllinghamThe grounds at the Hall Farm, Great Ellingham, lent by Mr T.F. Palmer, provided…
The History of Glenfield House & Cottage – Part III
Photograph taken December 2023 In Parts I and II of the ‘History of Glenfield House & Cottage”, we looked at the owners and occupiers of this delightful thatched and tiled house from around 1762 until 1865. Here in Part III, we continue the story. ‘Glenfield’ It is only in relatively recent times that the thatched…
The Baptist Church sells the ‘Old School Room’
The former British School in Long Street. Image courtesy of Sue Fay Norfolk Heritage Explorer describes ‘Great Ellingham British School’ as ‘A small, plain building’. It also goes on to say that ‘There is little known of its history, and it is now a house’. Looking at the image of the building (possibly from the…
Brief History of the former ‘Beer House’ the Queen’s Head
The former Beer House and Queen’s Head Public HousePhotograph taken 2019 Historic England describes the Grade II Listed Building ‘The Old Queen’s Head’ as a late 17th century timber framed building. With a thatched gabled roof, the building is constructed on a flint plinth with a rendered wattle and daub infill. Built during the reign…
George Saunders makes an elm coffin for Jeremiah Edwards
George Saunders’ house & premises is in the centre of this postcard (the house side-ways) in Church Street, Great Ellingham Kelly’s Directories of 1908 and 1912 lists the name ‘George Saunders’ under Great Ellingham. Saunders is described as a carpenter, builder and undertaker, with the added words ‘joinery a speciality‘. Bill of G.Saunders for providing…
For Sale – Newly built farmhouse known as Wylands Farm
Illustration Christine Fuller Wylands Farm lies to the most southern end of Long Street not far from the village boundary with Attleborough. Extract from O.S. Map c.1945. Courtesy Ray & Maureen Beales The Thetford & Watton Times of the 23rd September, 1916, published the following notice: PROPERTY SALE On Wednesday afternoon Messrs W S Hall…
Private 42179 George R Saunders 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment
Fellow local historian, Cynthia Budd, has meticulously researched the men listed on the Great War Memorials throughout the Shellrock Benefice (Great Ellingham, Little Ellingham, Rockland All Saints, Rockland St Peter and Shropham with Snetterton). She has kindly allowed me to reproduce her tributes to the Great Ellingham men, on the Great Ellingham One-Place Study website….