Pat Dickson's Memories of the Street

Kent Lodge, Pat's home

Pat remembers the street in 1971

During the pandemic I decided to record what I remember of the village when I moved to Kettlestone with my family in 1971. We came from the suburbs of London, South Woodford, so it was a complete change to find ourselves in the country with a delightful outlook. My daughters had to settle at new schools and be transported to Fakenham each day.

The chalet we bought was called Kent Lodge because the previous tenants came from there and worked at Ross Foods in Fakenham – now Linda McCartney’s. The adjoining field housed a very small shack and the farm labourer had a dog called Nigger. Kettlestone House had recently been purchased by Charles Sharman who live in Peterborough and he came for holidays with his family of five sons. Two were married in the church here.

On the other side of the street were four cottages recently renovated for accommodation and also a large field which is still here. I well remember a couple of occasions when raves were held here each time with loud music. No sleep for me on these occasions. The house next to the field was owned by Maurice Lacey and continuing on was the home of John and Peggy Erwich, both of whom had served in the RAF. They had a large family and kept pigs.

The Site of Maurice Lacey's house and next to it the house where the Erwich family lived [hidden by trees]

The Old Barn

The Old Barn was the next sizeable building and across the road from there were the remains of the only pub, the White Horse. This had been run by Mr Colman. It was a ruin when I came but had a roof and I recall watching it disintegrate during a storm. Next to the Old Barn were two cottages and then the four council houses. Charles and Muriel Elmer and their daughter Joy lived in 51 The Street. 55 The Street was occupied by Stanley and Dolly Chapman . Albert and Kathleen Keeley lived at 57, with sons Ivan and Roger. I can’t remember who occupied 53 The Street.

Former Council Houses

Doorstep Cottages

Across the road was a newly built bungalow owned by Joan Stokes who commuted each day to work in the Stationery Office at Norwich. She was a widow with a daughter Liz whom I quite often took to school when I was working in Fakenham. I still keep in touch with her. The Alms house just before the village hall was rented to needy families. I remember a Mrs Farrow living there. Across the road were two cottages occupied by farm labourers and known locally as ‘the doorstep’ cottages. [ number 77 and 79 The Street]. The house next to the village hall now known as Dane House was occupied by Rita and Allan Pink. They kept Great Danes and hence the name of the house .

In the 70's the village hall organised Barn Dances which were held in the barn at Kettlestone House by kind permission of Mr Sharman. Bales of straw were brought from Fulmodeston to provide seating and there was a live band each time.

The Old Rectory across from the village hall had several occupants over the years. Further along Old Church Farmhouse was lived in by Mr Williamson and his Nellie. Their son Michael and his wife Judy lived in the courtyard part of Church Farm and looked after the farm buildings. Across the road lived Peggy Smith, quite a character. Her cottage was called The Pightles. Brenda Cooper lived in the next cottage and then there was the shop and post office. I remember being able to buy ham carved off the bone and it was delicious.

Peggy Smith's cottage

Brenda Cooper's cottage

The Post Office and Shop

A family of hippies occupied Spring House and next to that Olive Bater lived in ‘Fernleigh’. A lady called Gwen Colman and her husband lived in Spring Cottage and across the road in Church View lived Leslie and Maggie Hill. Dick and Rita Bidewell owned the pig farm.

The Burgis family lived in Manor Farm at the end of the Street and the farm buildings occupied most of the land across the road. David Burgis was the farm manager having succeeded his father who died in about 1966. David married Madeline Chapman in 1974 .