We first meet Jack Canham in a newspaper report published in November 1934. The report concerns the court case of Great Ellingham farmer Basil Jude. Jude’s crime is selling ‘cheap milk to the poor’. He found himself in trouble with the Milk Marketing Board for selling his milk at tuppence a pint – the price…
Category: Town Green
Charles Rivett, Drunk in Charge of a Horse & Cart
Illustration Christine FullerThe illustration is creative interpretation and intended for humour only. No offence is intended or implied I think it is fair to say that over-indulgence of alcohol was common in rural Victorian England. The village of Great Ellingham is no exception. In 1888, Great Ellingham had at least five pubs or beer-houses: The…
Joseph Grant pleads Guilty to Stealing a Mare
Illustration Christine FullerThe illustration is creative interpretation and intended for humour only. No offence is intended or implied. Reports concerning historical criminal cases often appear in newspapers. I came across the following report in the Norwich Argus of the 24th October, 1885: Norfolk Quarter SessionsRobbery of a Mare at Great EllinghamJoseph Grant, dealer, was charged…
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…
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…
The Barnard Brothers’ Borrowings on their Great Ellingham Properties
Historical deeds can be both interesting and enlightening. Before the relatively recent requirement for the registration of property and land transactions, bundles of deeds were investigated by a buyer’s lawyer and handed over to the new owner on completion. Unlike most of the modern conveyancing documents, the old indentures contain lengthy narratives. These narratives provide…
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,…
Wanted – A Lady with a view to Matrimony!
Illustration Christine FullerThe illustration is creative interpretation and intended for humour only. No offence is intended or implied. Before dating apps and social media, people had to look at other ways to meet new partners. This included face-to-face interactions and gatherings within their immediate communities. However, some people also chose to advertise for a partner…
Francis Colman Negus’s Tenure of Great Ellingham Hall
Great Ellingham Hall 1960sCourtesy of Susan Fay Great Ellingham Hall and the ‘Ellingham estate’ came into the ownership of the Coleman family in 1712. Francis Coleman purchased the estate from the Potts family. Francis Coleman’s Children The surnames ‘Coleman’ and ‘Colman’ are consistently interchangeable in records. However on the most part, ‘Colman’ seems to be…
Fysher Colman’s Tenure of Great Ellingham Hall
Great Ellingham Hall 2020Courtesy Tracy Knowles Great Ellingham Hall is a delightful centuries old moated manor house in the heart of Great Ellingham. This Grade II listed building is tucked away in its own grounds off Penhill Road. Other articles on this website cover the earlier history of the house and the Manor of Ellingham…