Illustration by Christine Fuller A case of ‘Strange Contradictions’ was reported by the Norfolk News in their edition of 20th July 1878. A claim was brought by James Lane (the Plaintiff) for rent and rates amounting to £4 5s from James A Rix (the Defendant). The case was heard before the Judge, Edwin Plumer Price…
Category: Places and Buildings
Charles Carter, Fishmonger at Town Green
Town Green Long Street approaching Town Green. Postcard courtesy of Carol Ewin In 1851, the inhabitants of Great Ellingham could buy their fish from Charles Carter living in an area known as Town Green. 32 year old Charles and his wife Lucy, were one of at least 37 households at Town Green at that time….
Arson Attack After Village Receives Threatening Letters
A reward of £200 was offered by the victim, Mr John Barnard, the Lord of his Majesty’s Treasury and the Norwich Union Fire Office following an arson attack at Great Ellingham. Details of the Fire It was reported in the edition of the Norfolk Chronicle & Norwich Gazette of Saturday, May 27th, 1832, that about…
A Book Presentation to Lizzie Lincoln in 1898
Inscription in a Book Presented to Lizzie Lincoln by Great Ellingham Primitive Methodist Sunday School 1898. Courtesy of Cyril Edwards No doubt, 18 year old Lizzie Lincoln was not the only one to be presented with a book by the Primitive Methodist Sunday School but after some 120 years, I wonder where all the books…
A Perfect Attendance Medals Lost through Mumps in 1906
Great Ellingham School (Girls) possibly early 1900s. Are the boys in the adjacent classroom? Photograph courtesy of Ray Beales The 1906 annual prize distribution to scholars attending the Great Ellingham Board School took place during the middle of December. The Norfolk Chronicle & Norwich Gazette reported that the prizes were given out by Mr W…
Auction of A Capital Freehold Brick Tower Windmill in 1902
Salter Simpson & Sons of Attleborough and Bury St Edmunds inserted a notice in the edition of the Eastern Daily Press of May 15th, 1902 of the sale by Auction of property in Great Ellingham. The Auction would be held at the Royal Hotel, Attleborough on Thursday, 15th May 1902. The Seller of the property…
The First Occasion on record of a Confirmation Service at the Parish Church
Interior of Church. Postcard Christine Bell 1907 The Norfolk Chronicle & Norwich Gazette of 9th March 1907, reported that the Bishop of Ipswich held a confirmation service at the parish church in Great Ellingham on the previous Tuesday. It was also reported that this was “the first occasion on record of such a service”. 34…
King’s Corner on the Attleborough to Watton Road
Jean B who was grew up in the village in the 1930s recalled that the area opposite the bus shelter on the Attleborough to Watton Road (near the junction with Church Street) was known at that time as “King’s Corner” as a Mr King ran a Blacksmith’s shop there. Andrew King outside his Smithy in…
Wheelwright & Carpenter William Kybird
Wheelwright and Carpenters Shop of William Kybird taken before 1939. Postcard Joan Barnard 23 year old wheelwright William Kybird settled in Great Ellingham with his wife Mary Ann (known as Polly) after their marriage in 1880 but before the 1881 census. The census of 1881 shows the couple at the Wheelwright’s Shop on the Attleborough…
Six Weddings and Several Funerals
Tombstone of Ann Margetson in the Churchyard at Great Ellingham An elaborate tombstone for Ann Margetson lies in Great Ellingham churchyard. The inscription on the tomb states that Ann Margetson was the widow of Abraham Downes of Attleborough. It also states that Ann was born on March 4th, 1828 and died on August 30th, 1919….