2 minute read
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.
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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. 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.
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.
The Black Horse p , pub in 1905, with horse and carts waiting for their owners. Harry Balls was the landlord, and the population at this time was 572. The pub is still open today.
This post mill on main street, shown here in 1908, was reputed to be one of the tallest in Suffolk at 55ft, and its round house was struck by lightning in 1923. The mill belonged to the Lock family for four generations of men, each with the christian name Nathan. The mill is now a private house. This early multi-view postcard would have been on sale in the village shop to advertise the postcards available.
The Norfolk Postcard Club
meets regularly in Trowse in Norwich and new members are very welcome. Meetings have currently been suspended. Dennis is also the author of several local history books that can be purchased by contacting him direct.
If readers have any local postcards of Diss or the surrounding villages, please get in touch with Dennis after 7pm on 01379 651897
