Duchess Row

The four distinctive stone cottages known as Duchess Row were built at the wish of the 7th Duchess of Grafton in a style reminiscent of South African buildings which she much admired. The pictures below includes the top of one of the village pumps which was fed from a well to the left of the front door.

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During the First World War, the house at the far end, (now 47 High Street) was home to the De Keyser family. Madame De Keyser and her three children, Isadore, Alphonse and Marie, had witnessed the father being shot by German soldiers in Belgium, and like may of their compatriots had become refugees. The village supported the family until they became self-sufficient ( Madame De Keyser was a skilled seamstress). After the war they were able to return to their homeland.