The flower arrangers for this display incorporate a milking pail that had been originally used at Littlemoor when there was a dairy also included as props are and the only cows that can now be found at Littlemoor Hall! 

Courtesy of Tony Stokes

Littlemoor Hall more commonly known as Littlemoor.

It is uncertain how far back the current name may go. It is not referred to by this name either in the sale details of or in the census records. However, the village green was originally known as Littlemoor Green.

Description:

Grade 2 Listed Timber-framed and rendered 16th and 18th century farmhouse, L-shaped and having two storeys. Tiled east-west roof, with two end chimney stacks and black pantiled north-south roof, with internal chimney stack. The north-south range is in four bays, and has two separate adjoining frames with the chimney stack, apparently inserted, linking them.

Courtesy of Tony Stokes

Occupants

The Debenham Family 

On the Tithe map of 1838 James Debenham born about 1772, owned and occupied Littlemoor Farm with offices, yards, garden and an orchard as well as 10 parcels of land. He also owned a cottage and garden (now demolished and replaced with a bungalow). James married his wife Mary (nee Nunn) in Redgrave about 1797. There were 10 surviving children who were born in Ixworth Thorpe between 1797 and 1814 so it seems likely that James and Mary moved to Bardwell after 1814 when they were in their late thirties or early forties. However the family name appears in the parish register as early as 1698, though they do not seem to have had sufficient land in the 18th century to qualify as voters. The Debenhams were certainly in the village in 1748 when an Edward Debenham married John Cocksedge's daughter Mary and a John Debenham widower was buried in 1800.  

James died in 1848 so Mary a widow aged 77 years was farming 60 acres in 1851 with the help of 2 labourers and her unmarried daughter. She is still listed in 1861 as a farmer despite being 87 years old so presumably she was the owner even if she did not physically farm.  Also in the house is Mary Ann the unmarried daughter (farmers daughter) and the 2nd youngest son William (farmers son) and his wife who had previously been residing in Redgrave. Mary died in 1862 age about 88 and William in1867 age about 57.   

The 1871 census shows Mary Ann (the unmarried daughter) had moved to Essex to live with her sister, Louisa Barsham and a nephew Charles Debenham age 5. Both ladies were described as annuitants. (Louisa was the widow of Thomas Barsham who had been a G.P. in Norton). This means that by 1867 two of Mary’s sons were dead, two were prosperous tenant farmers in Felsham and Ixworth Thorpe, one was a wealthy attorney in St Albans, Hertfordshire, and another a prosperous businessman in Essex so it is likely that the Debenham family sold Littlemoor after either Mary’s or Williams death.

The Addison Family

We know that by 1871 George Addison was living at Littlemoor Hall and farming 80 acres. By 1881 his son, also called George was living at Littlemoor as his father had died in 1872, the farm had increased to 90 acres. This George died in 1882 but his widow Martha continued farming and living at Littlemoor Hall until her death in 1916 age 86.  
    The house was put up for sale in 1893 although as it remained with the Addison Family presumably the sale was withdrawn. The sale particulars describe the house as follows:
"House, with verandah in front, overlooking the Green, and containing large square hall, two parlours, kitchen, back kitchen, with copper and sink, and pump, pantry, etc.; seven bedrooms and attics on the floors above. Dairy with loft over. Three-stall nag stable and gig house. Flower and kitchen gardens. Large barn, cart-horse stable cow shed, open shed, piggeries and cart shed."    

Descendants of George Addison continue to live in Littlemoor Hall and are still farming. Although now an arable farm, it was in living memory a large dairy farm that supplied the local area with milk.