Until just after the turn of the 21st century, the fine Grade II listed house (near to the Crown Public House) in Church Street included one of the village stores.
Photograph taken January 2019
Earlier History
It is thought that the former copyhold building was once a medieval manor hall house. I have traced the history of the building as far back as 1769.
The property (now one dwelling) has undergone many changes over the centuries – not least two cottages with a shop. The premises also included various outbuildings including a bake-house.
Frederick Neeve purchased the premises (including the shop) from Annie Matthews Gladden in 1911. The property had been owned by members of the same family since 1769!
Although he retained ownership of the property, Frederick Neeve retired from the business of a grocer, draper and general store keeper in 1926. He let the shop and part of the living accommodation to Arthur Pollard.
Ye Olde Thatche Shoppe. Arthur Pollard’s daughter outside the shop. Courtesy Carol Ewin
When Frederick Neeve died in 1943, the ownership of the shop and the whole of the premises passed to Arthur Pollard.
It is likely that young Joyce Chasney began working at the shop during Arthur Pollard’s tenure. A later document from 1997 states that Joyce had then been working at the shop for 50 years!
1952
It was in 1952 that Arthur Pollard retired from the business. The Cracknell family took over Ye Olde Thatche Shoppe.
1954 A G Cracknell’s shop in Great Ellingham. Photograph courtesy Diane Davis
Arthur George Cracknell completed his purchase of the freehold dwellinghouse with the shop and outbuildings (with land belonging) from Arthur Pollard. Cracknell paid £1,500 for the premises and £500 for the goodwill of the business.
It is not surprising to find that Arthur Pollard gave an undertaking to Cracknell not to engage in any similar business within a three mile radius of Great Ellingham during a period of five years.
1963
The Cracknells were at the shop until Arthur Cracknell sold the shop and premises on the 10th June, 1963.
1954 A G Cracknell’s shop in Great Ellingham. Photograph courtesy Diane Davis
George and Christine Wright of Sutton Coldfield became the new owners of Ye Olde Thatche Shoppe. In addition to a purchase price, the Wrights also purchased fittings and fittings as well as the goodwill of the business.
1970
From Wayland Rural District Norfolk Official Guide c.1968
Courtesy R & J McDouall
The Wrights owned the property (including the shop) for some 17 years when they sold the premises to Ian Arundel and his wife Anne. The Arundels came to Great Ellingham from Beckenham, Kent.
1982
The Arundels continued to live on the premises and run the village stores until they sold the premises and the goodwill of the business in 1982.
Advertisement from 1983
On the 9th September, 1982, Michael and Mary Mellors of Chandlers Ford, Kent purchased the shop and premises. It was during the Mellors’ ownership that the shop included a tea room.
1986 onwards
The property once known as Ye Olde Thatche Shoppe in Church Street. Photograph taken February 2012
Following the departure of the Mellors in 1986, the shop (and later just the fine old dwellinghouse), saw the comings and goings of a further six families, before the present owners took over as the custodians of this wonderful building.
Source:
Deeds and related papers to property in Church Street, Great Ellingham. Private Collection. Thanks to E Betts.