Chrishall is a long village. Starting in the north with Chrishall Grange you then come up into the main part of the village on the top of the hill. If you carry on down either Church Road or High Street and bear right on the main B1039 (or the Bottom Brook as it is known locally) you will come to Building End – or Builden End – on your left hand side. Builden End, or “Billa’s Den” was occupied before the Norman Conquest (see Interesting Facts about the village). Was this a continuation of the old village that some think was in the fields to the south of the church?
This photograph was given to the collection by Romaine - many thanks. It might add something to the Abrams jigsaw! It is thought to have been taken in 1914 after Clara Ives marriage to Will Drury. Standing from left to right: Lucy and Samuel Abrams, Nell and Will...
I was recently loaned a lovely little book called Two Ears of Barley, written by Jack Wilkerson and published in 1969 and all about the history of Barley in Cambridgeshire. Barley is only about three miles from Chrishall as the crow flies and there...
William Cranwell outside his cottage in Builden End. William was born in Chrishall and had a large family although he was widowed fairly young. He was a gardener by trade and played the clarinet in church services before the church had an organ. You can follow him...
This carefully posed photograph is nonetheless delightful and shows the degree of labour once employed locally, for there are 14 individuals in view. Note the high chimney stack of the engine to minimise the risk of straw fires. This is believed to be in Builden...
The photograph above shows Hollyhock when it was still two cottages. It seems in rather a state of dis-repair although the roof looks new so maybe this picture was taken when it was in the process of being renovated. Certainly there are stories of various occupants...
Lower Farm, Builden End. This property was once owned by Walter Brand (Date: 1988)
Upper Farm (date: after 1988)
Revells Cottage, Builden End. (Date 1988)
We think this photograph may have been taken at the back of The Wells farmhouse which is down a small track on the left as you go into Building End. However we would love to know exactly where it is and who is holding the horse! Update November 2016: Another...
Keepers Cottage was a two up two down cottage on Common Lane which is the no-through lane on the right as you go down Building End. The cottage has been demolished and replaced with a large house built in traditional materials and oak timber frame and is now known as...
