Formerly the National School built in 1865. Later used as a Reading Room and Village Hall. During the nineteenth century, National Schools were set up by the National Society for Promoting Religious Education, for the furtherance of Christian Education and church schools. The Society was a body of the Church of England. Poster announcing the…
Category: Schools, Societies, Charities
Scholarships for Great Ellingham Pupils
School Examinations Norfolk Junior Scholarship Examinations took place on Saturday the 2nd November, 1907. 240 candidates were examined, of which 117 were boys and 123 girls. Pupils from Great Ellingham School were amongst the 16 candidates from the rural districts. Six weeks later, confirmation of those pupils gaining scholarships was published in the Norfolk Chronicle…
Alms House to be Built on Lower Part of Town Green Common
Payment towards the Building of an Alms House The ‘Town Books’ for Great Ellingham between 1740 and 1760 reveal that the Overseers of the Poor of the Parish of Great Ellingham were making annual payments for ‘Town Rents for the Poor’. These annual payments ranged from £10 7s. 6d in the year 1742, to £3…
Auction of Charles Rivett’s Farmhouse
Trustee and Overseer An application to the Charity Comissioners of 1873 by the Trustees of the Great Ellingham Fuel Allotment Charity refers to Charles Rivett as being one of the Trustees of the Charity. Charles Rivett was also one of two Overseers of the Poor for the Parish. James Beatson being the other. Local Man…
1874: Approval of the Fuel Charity Scheme
Fuel Allotments White’s Directory of 1845 mentions that the Fuel Allotment of 54 acres 1 rood and 34 perches was awarded at the time of the inclosures of Great Ellingham in 1799. The land produced an annual income from letting of £90. The Particulars and Valuation for Great Ellingham as taken by the Commissioners for…
Inmates of the Wayland Union entertained by the Rockland String Band
The inmates of the Wayland Union Workhouse at Rockland were not left out of the local celebrations for Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee. The Norwich Mercury of the 2nd July, 1887 reported on the participation of the inmates in the festivities taking place the week before. On June 21st, the inmates attended a Thanksgiving Service held…
1855: The Erection of the British School
Before the nineteenth century, there was no national system for education. Opportunities for formal education were generally only available to those who could afford to pay. The schools that did exist relied on the generosity of local benefactors or people trying to make a living. Very few children received any schooling. The Great Ellingham British…
Many Brought by Horses for a Special Service at the Church
Church of St James, Great Ellingham The Mid-Norfolk Federation of the Church of England Men’s Society held a special service at the Church of St James, Great Ellingham on a Tuesday evening in December 1908. It was reported that the Lord Bishop of Ipswich gave an interesting and constructive address to a large congregation. Many…
Horseplay in the Village after School Board Election with Fatal Consequences
Inquest The Norfolk News of June 9th, 1885 reported on the inquest held at Great Ellingham into the death of labourer, Charles Halls. Halls had died from lockjaw arising from injuries received to the forefinger of his right hand while taking part in what was referred to as ‘a little demonstration‘ after the election of…
Valentine Treats at The Hall
Postcard postmarked 1908 For many years, Sarah the wife of Benjamin Barnard, of The Hall, Great Ellingham, entertained members of the church choir and friends on or around Valentine’s Day, the 14th February. The Norfolk Chronicle of February 20th, 1875 reported of such an event organised by Mrs Benjamin Barnard at the Hall on February…