12 Sun Street Potton

12 Sun Street February 2013

12 Sun Street was listed by English Heritage in November 1986 as Grade II, of special interest. The property dates from the 18th century “but probably incorporating an earlier structure”. It is built of red brick with a clay tiled roof and comprises two storeys with attics.

The Rating and Valuation Act 1925 specified that every building and piece of land in the country was to be assessed to determine its rateable value. The valuer visiting 12 Sun Street [DV1/C11/79] found it owned and occupied by Annie Worboys. Kelly’s Directory for 1928 tells us that John Worboys was a hay and straw dealer. He is listed in the directories of 1928, 1931, 1936 and 1940, the last one for the county.

Living accommodation comprised a drawing room measuring 11 feet by 13 feet, a living room measuring 11 feet 6 inches by 13 feet 3 inches, a kitchen and a pantry on the ground floor. The first floor contained a bathroom, a box room and three bedrooms measuring, respectively, 10 feet 6 inches by 9 feet 6 inches, 11 feet 6 inches by 13 feet and 12 feet 6 inches by 13 feet 6 inches. Three disused attics lay above. There was also a shop measuring 10 feet by 13 feet 6 inches with stores behind. Behind the house and shop stood farm buildings [DV1/C11/80]. These comprised a small brick and slate barn, brick and tiled piggeries, a wood and corrugated iron two bay open hovel, a brick and corrugated iron granary, a second similarly constructed granary with a loft over and a brick and tiled range comprising a two stall stable, a large barn and a potato store, all with a loft over (“good”). There was also a Crossley gas engine and electric light plant. A later hand has added a chaff room with a loft over.