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Back in the summer I made a few visits to this Manor House.home of the local legend Ken Wallis.when dauntless had spotted an article on the manor I went to look.as I was looking at the number on the board on the the gates.when an older man walked up with his dog and unlocked the gates.i enquired about taking photos of the house and he said its open on Wednesdays.i said sadly I am at work.he said I could come back the weekend.so me dauntless and janovitch turned up.and he opened the gates and took us too the house.he opened it up and left us to it.we spent quite a while in the house.we went back to the mans house and it turned out his wife was lens daughter.we sat and chatted for ages.i then went back a few weeks later with Christine and Maxine and Marlon and we spent longer there this time and went back there house and had drinks.the daughter telling us stories with a smile of her father.the guy was a genius at engineering as we witnessed.she picked vegetables from the garden for us.i have remained in touch with them.and gave them copies of my photos.the house has now been sold.ken Wallis was born in Ely in 1916 and took an early interest in engineering,building a motorbike when he was eleven.he joined the airforce when war broke out and even though he had eyesight problems he wangled his way in.he flew 28 bomber missions and was heavily decorated.he retired from the RAF in 1964 and retired to norfolk.he is known for building gyrocopters and famously built little Nellie what was used in the James Bond you only live twice.he built thirty copters in total.they are now housed at RAF shuttle worth.we saw the hangars were they were built he had two workshops in the house.one were he produced the components and a woodwork shop were he crafted propellers.he died in 2013 aged 97 and was flying up to a few years before his death.the house laid derelict since and we were told he had no interest in anything that was everyday,but was focused on what he enjoyed.a memorial was held at buckenham airfield were about five thousand people turned up.i feel privileged to have seen the house.and even more to get a personal insight into his life.prob one of my favourite explores from a personal level.the couple were so lovely and welcoming.this is my last report of this year so will wish you all a merry Christmas and stay safe if out over the festive period,and look forward to more great reports from you all next year
the grand entrance hall led to several reception rooms
this room had the most unusual toilet
some sort of eastern themed room
the kitchen area was one of my favourite rooms with lovely light through the original wood shutter.all the shutters and windows are original and need to be replaced like for like due to the graded status.
they even still had the servants bells above the door
a few cellar shots
kens downstairs workshop were he did his precision work.lots of you only live twice memorabilia about.
the kitchen then led on to what would be the general storage working rooms and what looked to be an annexe.maybe for workers of the house in days gone by
out the back was a little courtyard for with potting sheds.prob used for growing all there own stuff
out the back is the barns and stables.these are highly listed above everything.there was lots of bits and bobs and old bikes.the attic room was lovely though
I hope you enjoyed a tour of this house.there is lots more history on ken online.i was given a book by the family on ken which I will treasure.hopefully dauntless will do his repot soon.and what a chance meeting with the owners one sunny summer night
the grand entrance hall led to several reception rooms
this room had the most unusual toilet
some sort of eastern themed room
the kitchen area was one of my favourite rooms with lovely light through the original wood shutter.all the shutters and windows are original and need to be replaced like for like due to the graded status.
they even still had the servants bells above the door
a few cellar shots
kens downstairs workshop were he did his precision work.lots of you only live twice memorabilia about.
the kitchen then led on to what would be the general storage working rooms and what looked to be an annexe.maybe for workers of the house in days gone by
out the back was a little courtyard for with potting sheds.prob used for growing all there own stuff
out the back is the barns and stables.these are highly listed above everything.there was lots of bits and bobs and old bikes.the attic room was lovely though
I hope you enjoyed a tour of this house.there is lots more history on ken online.i was given a book by the family on ken which I will treasure.hopefully dauntless will do his repot soon.and what a chance meeting with the owners one sunny summer night
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...I just get "wot u doin ere, get out, plods on his way" kinda luck
oh and the Aga too...smashin that
A fab way to end your busy year Mikey, really enjoyed that report
