LOCAL HISTORY
Memories of Thorndon Local historian, Dennis Cross from Diss, shares with us his fascinating collection of old postcards, focusing on a different village in every issue. This time, we take a walk down memory lane in Thorndon. Kerrison Reformatory School for Boys was established in 1856 by Sir EC Kerrison (Baronet), and taken over by the county in 1887. The boys worked the 200-acre estate and had a brass band with over 40 members. They can be seen here in 1912 at one of the many local functions they played at.
Thorndon Public Elementary School was built in 1874 on the site of the old workhouse, at a cost of £450. It was enlarged in 1911, costing a further £226, for 120 children. At the time of this 1910 postcard, Charles Weston was headmaster.
In 1910, Thorndon had a grocer, draper, bootmaker, patent medicine vendor and ironmonger, all run from the Post Office by Herbert Cracknell. He is seen here with his staff.
This 1910 postcard shows boys and teachers from the Kerrison Reformatory School for Boys peeling osier willow. The boys also learned carpentry, shoemaking and land work. Mr and Mrs Frederick Gill were master and matron. The school has been closed for some years and is now being converted into housing. 33
