It is satisfying when I find something, or someone, that links back to Great Ellingham. George John Skipper was born in East Dereham, Norfolk, on the 6th August, 1856. He is the second son of builder, and brick and tile maker, Robert Skipper and wife Elizabeth nèe Wilemer. Royal Arcade, NorwichPhotograph taken 6 November 2026…
Category: Church Street
The King Family’s Home at West View, Church Street
West View, Church Street, Great EllinghamPhotograph taken October 2026 The delightful cottage named ‘West View’ in Church Street was probably built around the 1870s. The house will have seen the comings and goings of many families during the last 150 years. One such family is the King family. 1939 Register The 1939 England & Wales…
Timeline of the Supply Stores in Church Street
Postcard c. early 1900s For centuries, Church Street was a main thoroughfare through the village. At various times, shops selling an assortment of wares, were along the road. Likely some of these shops would have been just the front room of the shopkeeper’s private house. They would also have been on a modest scale, selling…
Timeline of the Occupiers of ‘Ye Olde Thatche Shoppe’
The property once known as Ye Olde Thatche Shoppe in Church StreetPhotograph taken February 2012 Norfolk Heritage Explorer describes this delightful building as a much altererd 15th century plastered timber-framed house. It is likely to be a medieval ‘Hall House’ – a house consisting of a public hall with private living accommodation attached. It is…
Basil Jude’s “Crime”: Selling Milk at Tuppence a Pint
Louis Lebbell son of dairy farmer William Lebbell, neighbours to Basil Jude, with pails of milk in Long Street c.1932Photograph courtesy of Susan Fay I came across the following interesting report published in the Daily Express of the 29th November, 1934 under the heading ‘The Farmer Who Sold Cheap Milk To The Poor‘. This was…
The Owners & Occupiers of Homelea Farm – Part III
Homelea Farm in the distance centre of the photograph. June 2026 Homelea Farm is tucked away along a ‘driftway’ off Penhill Road. The road has also been known as Penhill Lane and Pen Hill. In Part I, we established that the farmhouse was probably built between 1843 and 1861. The property has also been known…
Members of the Mallett Family succumb to Consumption
Many visitors to my website will know that I enjoy researching individuals or families who connect with our village. I frequently find myself going down many rabbit holes but usually find village links which, until then, I knew nothing about! Whilst researching some of the history of Homelea Farm in Penhill Road, I came across…
Great Ellingham born Harry Houchen appointed Headmaster at the Londonderry School of Art
Great Ellingham born Harry Houchen 1870-1914.Courtesy Christian Humphries. (Harry’s 1st cousin 3x removed) I am always thrilled to hear from anyone with family connections to the past people of Great Ellingham. A recent email dropping into my inbox is no exception. I learnt from the email that in 1869, Great Ellingham born James Houchen married…
The Barnard Family buys Great Ellingham Hall
Great Ellingham Hall 2020Courtesy Tracy Knowles Great Ellingham Hall is a wonderful Grade II listed building. It was ‘re-built’ in the 16th century during the Gurney family’s tenure. With no direct Gurney male heirs, the property then came into the ownership of the Davy family, subsequently passing to Sir Roger Potts by marriage. In 1712,…
Timeline of the Owners & Occupiers of Church Farm & Cottages
Church Farmhouse. Photograph 2022 According to Historic England’s website (historicengland.co.uk), Church Farmhouse, is a Grade II Listed Building and was built in the early 17th century. However, the present owners believe it was built much earlier, as there are parts of the building which may date from the 14th or 15th century. Earlier Property Ownership…