Operation Pied Piper Two days before Britain and France declared war on Nazi Germany, the government initiated Operation Pied Piper. On 1st September, 1939, over 1.5 million people including some 800,00 children were evacuated from urban areas to the countryside. A further evacuation followed in June 1940. Like many rural towns and villages, Great Ellingham…
Category: Skipper
‘Black Sheep’ in the Family
I am sure that many of us will find a few ‘black sheep’ amongst our ancestors. These ‘black sheep’ are usually individuals who are seen as troublemakers, failures or just people who do not fit in with the rest of the family. They may also bring disgrace or disrepute upon the family and, in consequence,…
Great Ellingham’s Pubs and Beer-houses
The Crown Public House in the centre. Courtesy of Attleborough Heritage Group Village pubs have always been a focal point of a community. Great Ellingham is no exception. During the Victorian period, Great Ellingham had five public houses, some of which were former beer-houses. Today, the village has one remaining pub. At the end of…
Penalty & Costs of Thirty Shillings
Furious Driving James Wilkins of Great Ellingham appeared before the Magistrates at the Petty Sessions held at New Buckenham in early May 1864. An account of the offence of furious driving on the road from Great Ellingham to Stow Bedon was given by Police Constable Bugg. James Wilkins was convicted and adjudged to pay 30s…
What’s In a Name?
Frank Newby with three of his children at Watton Road, Great Ellingham . Photograph courtesy of Sue Gent When researching family history, it is not unusual to find the name by which an individual is known differing between census returns and other documentation, such as registrations of birth, marriages and deaths. In other blogs, I…
The Intemperance of the Skipper Brothers
Illustration by Christine Fuller Appearance before the Magistrates in 1881 The Norwich Mercury of 25th June 1881, published a report of recent cases heard at the East Harling Petty Sessions. The defendants included brothers Abraham and Jeremiah Skipper from Great Ellingham. The men were “charged upon the information of Superintendent Starke with being drunk on…