Castle Acre, Bailey Street c1955

My ancestors

My great grandfather John Robert Leaman was school master at Castle Acre school - his wife (my great grandmother) was Elizabeth Jane Leaman (nee Ellis). I have visited Castleacre recently and found the village such a beautiful, interesting idyllic place to be. If anyone knows or has any history of this time I would love to hear about them. The time my great grandfather was school master the doctor was Dr Love and the vicar Rev Bloom. I also understand the village school may be closing soon - I would love to have the opportunity to look at the school records where my great grandfather made his diary entries.  My grandfather Ellis, my great aunt Jane and siblings were born in Castleacre - any news would be gratefully received.

Hill Farm

In 1940 my dad James Smith and his brother William was evacuated in Great Dunham on Hill Farm with Mr and Mrs Everington and they wanted to adopt my dad and brother but my nan said no. My family were from Hackney in London. In 1941 my Aunt Joan was born in Hill Farm Cottages too while my nan was visiting.
Sadly my dad died in 2005. His brother died in 1970. I would love to hear of anybody who had memories or pictures of the history of Great Dunham.
Thank you, from Lesley on lesleydean777@hotmail.com
Cheers.

My grandfather the village postman

My grandfather, Bert Sampson, was the postman in the late 40s/ 50s. My grandmother, Ivy, and he lived at Woodview. My father said he used to sell produce from his smallholding as he did his rounds. Anyone remember?
Then his son Ron and his wife moved in and had all my cousins. Eight of them. They all lived in this small house and my family would come up from London on a visit and I hated it. I was used to street lamps and the loo down the hall, not up the field! There were wellies, lined up by the back door and you picked a pair that fitted you and off to the loo. I was scared. My cousins and I are all grown up and mostly married with children. Anyone remember them? I will try and get them to add their memories.

school holidays in Swaffham

I used to spend all my school holidays with my grandmother Mrs.May Symonds who lived on Queen street last house close to the playing field, I have very fond memories of playing in the field, walking what was called "the cinder path" and shopping at a store called Hanents this store if I remember correctly from my childhood memories was beside a closed in stone ally way, I loved the smells in this store and the old wood floors that creaked they also had a cash lady sitting in a booth high above counter or so it seems to my mind and there were lines running from each counter to this cashier who made all the money transactions. a bell would ring and this comtraption holding the money would fly back and forth.I also have fond memories of the market place where one could buy anything from a safty pin to a dress. oh how I wish I could returne to those times. There was a boys grammer school there also I think. my grandmother would also take me to visit a place called The Priory" now I know that was not in Swaffham but must have been close by a place of stone ruins I loved to walk there and let my mind wander back to a time when these stone walls were an actual building and people walked there, If there is anyone reading this remembers Mrs. May Symonds or my uncle Bert Symonds I would love to hear from them.

Great Massingham Crown Brass Band

Hello,
My grandfather was George Frederick Fish, bandmaster to Great Massingham Crown Brass Band. I would dearly love to learn more about both him and the band. Does anyone have any information about them? I believe they once played at Sandringham at Christmas after the king heard them playing in Kings Lynn (I think). I am told that the king was also struck by their uniforms which my grandfather, a tailor, had made for all the bandsmen.