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East Lexham
East Lexham maps
Historic maps of East Lexham and the local area, hand-drawn by Ordnance Survey and Samuel Lewis. View all East Lexham maps
East Lexham photos
We have no photos of East Lexham, although we do have photos of these nearby places:
Castle Acre| Great Massingham| Swaffham
East Lexham area books
Displaying 1 of 13 books about East Lexham and the local area. View all books for this area
You can read extracts and browse photos from these books.
Memories of East Lexham
Displaying a selection of personal
memories of East Lexham.
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CHILDHOOD
I moved with my parents from Great Dunham in 1935 when I was 2 years old to no 12 which was demolished long since. We had no electricity or running water, just a well in the back garden. I went to the local school when I was 5, Miss Pogson was the head teacher, she was ruthless, today she would be kicked out. She persevered with me and got me through the 11 + to go to Swaffham Grammar School. I lived in the same house until I was conscripted into the RAF at 18.
Norfolk memories
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.
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.
Dereham, Norfolk
I was born in Dereham, Muriel Secker, and lived in Cowper Road. I went to the Infants School, near Bishop Bonners Cott, 1928-1932/3, then National School and finally was Head Girl at Crown Road School. 1939 I worked in Hobbies offices as a costing clerk. I was a Brownie, a Guide and Ranger and did War Service at the ARP Centre in Church Street and the YMCA canteen in the Market Place, organising dances at the Theatre Royal for the troops. I left Dereham in 1943 to go nursing in Essex until 1949. I returned to Dereham to get married, but now live near Stockport in Cheshire. I have so many memories of war-time incidents and friends in that area. One memory I have is of collecting eggs for the hospital and we took them to Mr. Pett (Scout Master). My father was Edward Secker, he was Manager in Hobbies Foundry. He had 5 brothers and 2 sisters and I am sure that I have some cousins still in the... Read more
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.
The Swan
My late mother, Beryl Smith (nee Thompson) grew up in The Swan, as her parents, Edmund and Leah, were the publicans. (My mother was born in 1924 in Tittleshall, but the family moved to Great Massingham and The Swan while she was still very small). She and her sister, Lorna, lived at The Swan until they each married during the second world war. (My mother married a Canadian army Captain, David Smith, and moved to Canada in 1946). They had some animals and vegetable garden, as well as a landing strip in the back yard!!! My grandfather, Edmund, died in March of 1945 as I recall, and I imagine Leah sold The Swan not too long after. She bought Rose Cottage on Station Road, her sister, Doris, bought Eastgate. My mother went "home" to England on an annual basis. The last time I was in The Swan was in the late 1970's, and it was still being operated as a pub. ... Read more
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.
