Grey Roofs, Long Street. Photograph taken Christmas Day 2023 Norfolk Heritage Explorer website describes the Grade II listed building known as ‘Grey Roofs’ as House. Early C18. Timber framed with lath and plaster infill, roughcast. Corrugated iron roof. Lobby entrance plan. One storey and dormer attic. Door in centre. Three three-light C20 casements. Four sloping…
Category: Long Street
Harry Rix’s Early Boyhood Recollections of Great Ellingham – Long Street
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…
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…
William Harper brings his family to Tanyard Farm
Tanyard FarmPhotograph Lucinda Bell-Tye Tanyard Farm is a delightful late 17th century property on the periphery of the village of Great Ellingham. During its history, the building has seen the comings and goings of many families. Several of the families were owner/occupiers. However, Tanyard Farm was not always occupied by the owners. The Harper Family…
Robert Large’s Newly Built Farmhouse in Hingham Road
Brick Kiln FarmCourtesy Jon & Fran Elliott Great Ellingham is fortunate to have several interesting historical houses. Some are ‘tucked away out of sight’, but others are visible from the village roads. Road to Hingham The route of many of these roads has changed little over several centuries. They have evolved from a time well…
The History of the Double Cottage on Stalland Common – Part I
The Cottage formerly known as Hillside (and now Owl Cottage) at Stalland CommonCourtesy A. M. Like many towns and villages, Great Ellingham is fortunate to have several interesting historical houses. Many of our village’s ‘old’ houses will have begun life housing several families. However over the years, these houses have become one dwelling. Double Cottage…
Robert Large allows his Widow to Use a Room
Robert Large came to Great Ellingham in the late 1820s or early 1830s. He died in the village on the 21st September, 1843, having made his last will and testament on the 12th December, 1842. Wills can be a great source of information for both family and local historians. However, some wills can be very…
Smallholder & General Dealer, William Dove, buys 3 Dwellings in Long Street
On the 25th October, 1920, Great Ellingham farmer, William Edward Victor Dove purchased three dwellings in Long Street, Great Ellingham. He also bought a nearby acre and a half of land. The sellers were the executors of the late James Houchen, who had died in Great Ellingham on the 29th December, 1916. The three dwellings…
Great Ellingham Property Owner & Carpenter James Houchen
James Houchen was a Great Ellingham man ‘born and bred’. From his birth in 1847 until his death in 1916, James Houchen lived his entire life in Great Ellingham – and, quite possibly, in Long Street. At one time, James’s parents, Francis and Matilda Houchen lived at a farm towards the southern end of Long…
The Unpretentious and Amiable Sophia Pleasance Sparham c.1852-1897
The recent news highlighting the medical condition scoliosis reminded me of Sophia Pleasance Sparham. Sophia is a daughter of Great Ellingham Baptist Minister, Thomas H Sparham. She lived with the same , or similar, condition. Scoliosis is an abnormal curvature of the spine. Although, historically, there have been treatments available with some success, it is…