I have no doubt that many of the people living in the village today will remember Harry Rix. He was an upstanding member of the community and, for many years, was a member of the Parish Council.
Harry, with the full name of Henry Robert Rix, was born in a cottage in Long Street on the 1st December, 1920. Some 80 years later, in 2001 Harry decided it was time to put down in writing his clear recollections of his early life in the village.
What follows are extracts from Harry’s memoirs, collated by his daughter.
Chequers Lane. Date unknown.
This shows the end cottage (since demolished) of the cottages in Church Street with the
Chequers Public House tucked away behind. Cottages in the distance.
Postcard Ewin Family
Chequers Lane
In this article, Harry takes us on a ‘tour’ of Chequers Lane. He mentions that at this time, Chequers Lane had high banks. There was also a cattle yard at the end of Chequers Lane opposite the Post Office.
At this time there was only a small amount of dwellings in Cheguers Lane and they were located on the east side.
Going northwards from Mr Warren’s cottage we come to the Chequers Public House. This was a fully licenced premises owned by Bullards Brewery of Norwich. This public House was generally favoured by village people.
Charles Jaggs, wife Emma, daughter in law Rose, & granddaughter Margaret outside The Chequers
Courtesy Linda Purdy
The landlord was Mr. Charles Jaggs assisted by his wife. Mr. Jacob Beales and his wife previously were the publicans. The premises had covered accommodation for visiting people with horses.
The Chequers Public House. The board over the doorway refers to the licensee, Jacob Beales.
Assumed to be in the photograph is Jacob Beales (centre) and wife Isabella.
Courtesy Linda Purdy
There are additional cottages to the north of the Chequers – I cannot recall the names of some of the occupants, but the northern most cottage was occupied by Mr. & Mrs. Beales and their family.
A much later photograph of Chequers Lane taken in the 1990s. This shows the ‘small shed’ (painted blue) which was later converted to a butcher’s shop (run by Vic & Elsie Howlett). This also shows the ‘western extension’ to the Beales’ house referred to by Harry Rix
Mr. Beales did shoe repairs in a small shed which at some time later had been converted into a butchers shop.
The western extension to the Beales’ house was historically used as a butchers shop by a man named Filby who resided in Attleborough.
There were no further dwelling in Chequers Lane.
Great Ellingham School
Harry takes us to the crossroads at the junction of Chequers Lane with the B1077, the Attleborough to Watton Road.
This junction has undergone many changes since Harry’s childhood. Today there is a roundabout which was put in to accommodate the increased flow in traffic due to the significant housing developments, particularly in and around the Hingham Road area.
Harry continues…..
Great Ellingham Board Schools pre 1905
In one quadrant formed by the crossing is the village school. This is a red brick walled building with a slated roof and was known as a ‘Board’ school, the Board of Education being the government department responsible for such works at that time. The building was dated 1896 and catered for infants and boys and girls up to the age of 14 years of age.
The first head master in the new school was Mr. Field, Mrs. Field did work in the village as a midwife -–having several children herself (about 6 of them). After her 6th was born, Mr. Field is reputed to have said ”Well that’s my family” to which Mrs. Field said “No it isn’t, I want my own 6 now”
Robert R Fordham, wife Gertrude and sons John b.1920 & Paul b.1925. Robert Fordham Headmaster of Gt Ellingham Schools 1925-1944
Courtesy Anne Cooper
The second headmaster who came after Mr. Field was Mr. Robert Ross Fordham. I am making mention of him because of his efforts in raising money to purchase land for providing a village recreation ground, a task in which he was aided by the residents of the parish.
In other articles, Harry Rix takes us along Attleborough Road, Church Street and Long Street.
Source:
‘Early Boyhood Recollections of a Great Ellingham by an Octogenarian’ Harry Rix. Huge thanks to Elizabeth Neil.