Bungay: Earsham Hall School reunion to be held in May 2023

It was half a century ago, in 1973, when the pupils, teachers and staff left the school for the last time… it was the end of an era.

Just be careful! Chemistry was a popular lesson at Earsham Hall School. (Image: Newsquest)

A picture of the East Wing at Earsham Hall School in the 1950s. (Image: Newsquest)

Just what happened to these lads, many from Norfolk and Suffolk, with others from across this country and all over the world?

Well, if you were one of them, this is your invitation to attend a very special reunion at Earsham Hall, near Bungay, on Saturday May 13 to mark the golden anniversary of the closure.

An aerial view of Earsham Hall in 1971 when it was a school. (Image: Newsquest)

Pupils and staff line up for a photograph at Earsham Hall in the 1960s. (Image: Derek James Collection)

Whilst many of the old private schools which were dotted across East Anglia have now gone forever – this grand stately home is looking better than ever thanks to members of the Derham family who bought the hall in the 1970s and set about restoring it.

They have done a wonderful job and we have much to thank Rupert and Annabel Derham for. They love their home with a passion and you can see it for yourself by visiting Earsham Hall Tearooms which is highly recommended along with other attractions including the furniture showrooms.

There was an inspection before being allowed into the dining room at Earsham Hall School. You need combed hair, straight tie, clean hands and shoes. (Image: Newsquest)

There are also escorted tours where you can learn about the long and colourful history of one of the finest country mansion houses in Norfolk. One of the great survivors.

Dating from the 15th century, the first owners were members of the Throckmorton family. As various owners moved in and out over the centuries extensions and improvements were made to this grand and imposing hall.

When members of the Meade family were living there in 1901 the census reported the five members of the family had 16 servants, ranging from 15-year-old laundry maid Elsie Wright from Hemsby and Martha Smith, the 40-year-old housekeeper from Suffolk.

Then there were two nurses, three laundry maids, two parlour maids, a scullery maid, a dairy maid, three housemaids, one lady’s maid and a kitchen maid.

Rugby played a leading role in the sporting life at Earsham Hall. Mr Osbourne was the teacher. (Image: Newsquest)

Times changed, evacuees stayed at the hall during the war and then, in 1948, it became a school when it moved from Cromer where it was Wood Dene School.

The Rev F G Baring was the headmaster. In the late 1950s the fees charged were £210 a year for full-term boarders, £192 for weekly borders and £94/10s for day boys.

I was one of the weekly borders from Diss along with Richard Hopgood, John Pretty and “Nobby” from Cuthbert Stores.

We joined boys from across the world – America, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, the Far East – and those Denny lads from Redenhall.

A glorious photograph of Earsham Hall, a family home and business centre with much-loved tearooms, as it looks today. (Image: Mike Page)

While the school closed many years ago, the memories live on and it is wonderful to see the hall looking so good today.

Further information

The reunion day is Saturday May 13 and includes refreshments, tours, lunch in the Duke of Cumberland Dining Room, photographs and more. The cost is £40pp.

More details from www.earshamhallevents.co.uk and Annabel Stretton-Derham at annabel@earshamhallevents.co.uk.

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