Little Thetford .org

In our article on The Round House, Past and Present, published in May 2010, we link to “… an interesting account with photographs of [James and Elizabeth Bullman] on ‘James Bullman and his Descendants’ on www.docstore.com/2533850/bulman”. That link is no longer active.

We continue to get enquiries from around the world on the Bullman family. For example, the most recent from Lorraine, their great great great great granddaughter from Australia, who is “a direct descendant of James and Elizabeth Bullman”. Lorraine would like to find out more about [the Bullman's] and asks if anyone has any photos.

As always, we would be delighted to pass on any enquiries though if anyone knows where the excellent family tree has gone (www.docstore.com/2533850/bulman), please do let us know.

For all family history researchers, do examine the transcripts of the Little Thetford St George’s Church parish records.

To view or add comments to this article, start from the page here.

We recently received the following from one of our readers …

Hello, [I] am currently researching my Pope ancestors, (Henry Pope Born: 1747 in Brundall who married a Mary Shadelowe, but most importantly [I] would love to have any information with regards to his son (Richaard Pope Born: 1787 in thetford, [I] think he was a farmer, and he married a Sarah Russell, [I] would be very grateful for any information you have,

thank you so very much,

kind regards

On receiving the above we did a quick search of the St George’s Church parish registers without success.

Can you help? …

Local historian, Mike Petty MBE, publishes a regular nostalgia column in the Cambridge Evening news. With Mike’s permission, we provide a copy of his 19 March article on Grunty Fen. In the article, Mike discusses the draining of Grunty Fen commencing in 1838—see also The catchwater–drain. Mike might also reveal the location of the infamous Grunty Fen great rhubarb plantation, oft mentioned by our local radio celebrity, Denis of Grunty Fen (the late Peter Sayers). Or does he? Read Mike’s article to find out.

Comments …

These photos from Phillip Randall show Little Thetford in the early 1900′s from or close to Barway.

Little Thetford ferry c. 1906 from Phillip Randall

Little Thetford pumping mill c. 1906 from Phillip Randall

In the ferry image, Naomi Randall and Alfred Dewsberry are in the boat; Mahala and Arthur Dewsberry are on the bank. Note how wide the river was and the pumping station with chimney.

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Grace Turnbull gave away some photos before she died last year.

See also our recent request for information.

The tale I am about to tell you, that I was told when I was still at school, (I am 75 years old now), is a delightful tale of old Little Thetford in the 19th century. It involves two local old boys of Little Thetford. A farmer called Tharby of Manor Farm (now built over) and the other one Fal Al Taylor, who ran the pumping engine on the River Ouse, just over the main railway line at the end of the village. Both Tharby and Fal Al had been drinking in the “Three Horse Shoes” for several hours (beer was then 2p old money a pint), so you know it was a long time ago. (approx. 150 years).

Read more …

We have been examining the census records for the Three Horseshoes through the years 1841 through to 1911 using Ancestry.co.uk.


In 1841,

• James Markwell aged 30 (c1811-), farmer
• Sarah Markwell aged 45 (c1796-)
• Emma Markwell 8 (c1833-)
• George Markwell 6 (c1835-)
• Alfred Markwell 4 (c1837-)
• Albert Markwell 2 (c1839-)

Read more …

If your are interested in researching your own ancestors, there are many free services to help such as freeBMD (the free births, deaths and marriages index – 1837–1983). Some census records are free too. For example the 1881 census is free from Findmypast.co.uk. An in depth search of the UK records requires a subscription to one of the many ancestry web sites now available. I use Ancestry.co.uk. Others use Genesreunited, Findmypast, myheritage etc. Subscription prices vary so shop carefully.

If you would like a head start, I am able to help. My charges are £25 per hour for United Kingdom research. The first 30 minute consultation is free. Additional charges apply for copies of birth, marriage and death certificates.

John McCullough
01353-649469
Please do not ask for living relative searches

After the success of the Royal Silver Jubilee celebrations held in 1977 at the village school, a group of villagers, lead by Tony Badcock, sought to hold a similar annual event. An open meeting was called and a committee formed under the chairmanship of Leslie Halls to organise a village feast once again.

Compiled 2011 by Tony Shaw and transcribed by Judith Young

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See also The feast between the two world wars by Tony Shaw.

The village feast was held annually in July.

Originally it was held in the field known as Camping Close which was situated behind Grey Gables. At the time the field was used by Mr Ralph Kisby, he kept his cattle there. This land now forms the gardens of the houses on the north side of the Wyches. Later, the feast moved to Cranwells field on the opposite side of the Wyches. This land is now built on with the Cowslip Drive development, which appropriately contains Cranwells Way.

Pictures below show large attendances with a marquee in the background. Events included a sports day and there were side shows and other stalls. Bert Russell remembers that there was bowling for a live pig and that Selwyn Cross ran the roll-a-penny stall. Ice cream was also available.

We have no evidence of a competitive show but, given the size of the marquee, it is possible that it housed one.

The Feast ceased at the outbreak of the second world war.

2011. Prepared by Tony Shaw. Transcribed by Judith Young.

Some images of the Little Thetford Feast of 1925.

Comment

Rose Bussingham talked to Tony Shaw about her family’s evacuation from London in 1940.

Rose and family  were bombed out of their house in 1940 and they were billeted on a family in Little Downham. Her mother was a widow with six children but only three children came with her. Rose was five years old, her brother Henry was eight and Joy was two. Joy cried a lot and was taken into care. Her father was wounded in the first world war and died of TB in 1937.

In 1941 they were moved to a cottage in Popes Lane, Little Thetford. …

Read more …