The Chase

Framingham Hall

As can be seen from the maps below the shape and position were changed during these years.

At this point you may wish to read the information on this link Potted History.

In 1866 the FitzGerald family moved to Framingham Earl to build Framingham Hall.

Click here to see family memories

The Hall c.1889 The Hall c 1906

The gardens, grounds and figures etc. were probably laid out during this period

as the following pictures were taken between 1916 and 1926.

(All these pictures Sheila Wilson)

Heath Garden. West Garden

The Rockery The Lake, near Hall Farm

The Conservatory

A Mr. J. Brooke then lived here, presumably rented, until it was sold to Mr. John Edwin Moxey in 1916 .

During their occupancy the hall was transformed again.

Map for 1926. The Moxey graves Framingham Pigot Church 1928.

A shooting party on the estate Chauffeur Sydney Bacon prepares the table for lunch.

Sydney with the Mercedes Sydney with the Hispano Suiza.

Sydney with the Daimler Sydney out driving the Mercedes

Sydney's first driving job in London . 1908 Panhard.

Sydney, Anne and Vera centre. Vera on her bike

The Estate was purchased by Geoffrey R. R. Colman in 1929 as a family home for his wife Lettice and his five children.

He was a keen cricketer and represented both Oxford University and Norfolk from 1911 to 1930, apart from the war years.

During the war he served on the western front. A member of the Colman's mustard family he was a director until his death at 'The Chase' on 18th. March 1935.

His wife Lettice continued to live there, with their five children, until her death on 27th. November 1970.

James Colman, grandson of Geoffrey and Lettice, now occupies the remaining buildings on site.

The buildings in 2019. (Pic's. R.Gooderham)

The stables and outbuildings now residential. The site of the Hall

North Lodge South Lodge

Click this link to visit a dedicated site for 'The Chase' Arboretum.

https://thegardengateisopen.blog/2017/10/18/the-barn-a-fine-arboretum-in-norfolk-79/

The Arboretum.

Sir Timothy Colman has been largely responsible for the development

of the arboretum since 1986.The established planting on the estate dates from the

eighteenth century and by 1841 Grigor was commenting on the fine cedars here.

Sadly one has been removed which had a diameter of at least 5 feet.

Sir Timothy had an eye for the future and has planted young cedars to continue the tradition.

Amongst other notable trees a wonderful Picea smithiana, a fine Acer grieum, a Davidia,

a Halesia, Bird cherries, an Acer campbelli, a Wollemia nobillis and many Oaks ,

Horse chestnuts and Rhododendrons.

The Lodges

North Lodge and South Lodge are both shown on the 1905 map. The North Lodge looks unaltered to this day 2019

The South Lodge is shown a lot smaller than at present and looks to have had an extension c. 1910. ( the dormer window section in the picture).

The larger South Lodge is shown on the 1926 map.

1920. The North Lodge on Pigot Lane, 2011.

1984 The South Lodge ,Spur Lane. 2011