15 – 19 High Street, Burwell (RGL2024)

17 & 19 High Street, Burwell

History of 17 & 19 High Street

Listed Building

Cottages, early C19. Handed pair forming a row with No 15 High Street.

17 High Street is the possible home of the photographers Albert and Dorothy Grainger.

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8 July 1955 — Albert Grainger

Albert Grainger, the Burwell photographer, has died aged 69. A cheerful character he had made a host of friends during his 31 years in the photographic business. He worked as butler-valet for Lord Glanely at Exning House until in 1923 he set up in business at Burwell. His first job was a wedding the day after the shop was opened. Throughout his career he was assisted by his wife, Dorothy, who carried on the business for some time after his illness. 55 07 08b. Credit: Mike Petty, Burwell Scrapbook 1897 to 1990, reference 55 07 08b.

25 October 1978 — Dorothy Grainger

Dorothy Grainger’s tiny cluttered cottage in Burwell is full of her pictures – not framed or in albums but stuffed into old boxes and wrinkled paper bags. She was that sort of photographer, nothing fancy or arty. Just plain, professional pictures that told the story she had been paid to tell. Now nearly 84 she rides a motorised wheelchair, but loves to relive the days when she roamed the Fens on a motorbike with her heavy wooden tripod and half-plate camera strapped on her back. Credit: Mike Petty, Burwell Scrapbook 1897 to 1990, 1978 10 25.