LOCAL HISTORIAN
MEMORIES OF NEEDHAM 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 Needham.
This 1943 postcard shows Needham, looking towards Harleston. The population at this time was 276.
At the time of this 1904 postcard, there were many thatched houses in Needham, and horse and cart was the transport of the day. New houses have now been built each side of the road, and the village was bypassed over 30 years ago, returning Needham to a peaceful setting.
Looking toward Brockdish, villagers pose for the camera in this 1910 postcard. The Red Lion pub can be seen on the far left.
Needham church alongside the school, which was built in 1873 and enlarged in 1898. Mrs Knights was the headmistress at the time of this 1910 postcard. The school closed in 1959 and converted into a village hall. St Peter’s church has a round tower in the Norman style and contains three bells.
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