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Great Dunham
Great Dunham maps
Historic maps of Great Dunham and the local area, hand-drawn by Ordnance Survey and Samuel Lewis. View all Great Dunham maps
Great Dunham photos
We have no photos of Great Dunham, although we do have photos of these nearby places:
Castle Acre| Swaffham| Great Massingham
Great Dunham area books
Displaying 1 of 13 books about Great Dunham and the local area. View all books for this area
You can read extracts and browse photos from these books.
Memories of Great Dunham
Displaying a selection of personal
memories of Great Dunham.
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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
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.
Norfolk memories
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.
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.
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... Read more
SCARNING SCHOOL
At the age of 5yrs I started my education at Scarning School, I lived at Woodhill [see memory of Dereham] which meant about a 2 mile walk to school with my 10 yr old sister usually stopping to play in the stream at Podmore on the way. School dinners! There was no such thing, it was sandwiches which, regardless of weather, had to be eaten in the playground. I can still remember that the head mistress was Mrs Grand who lived in the house attached to the school. I was only at this school for about a year then moved to Dereham. Scarning is situated on the A47. On the approach from Dereham there used to be a steel railway bridge accross the road but has since gone.It was always known as Scarning Arch. I can still remember a silly little song we used to sing as kids: Young folk old folk everybody come Come and join our company and have a bit of fun Bring a bit of chewing gum and stick it on the... Read more
