A former bookshop owner escaped to the country and found himself living in a 17th century Norfolk cottage which inspired him to learn a little more about his new home.

Eastern Daily Press: Stephen Poulter's interest in finding out more about the history of his own home led to the beginnings of the Needham Heritage Project. Picture: Courtesy of Stephen Poulter/Norfolk County ArchivesStephen Poulter's interest in finding out more about the history of his own home led to the beginnings of the Needham Heritage Project. Picture: Courtesy of Stephen Poulter/Norfolk County Archives (Image: Archant)

'This is the oldest house I've ever lived in,' said Stephen Poulter, who moved to Needham 18 months ago, 'so I wanted to learn more about its history.

'However I had to learn about the whole town because houses didn't have numbers when it was built, which is something I hadn't thought of before.'

Thus an interest in the small market town's history and the beginnings of the Needham Community Heritage Project were born.

With the help of the Waveney Valley Heritage group, who are opening a centre in nearby Brockdish in the spring, Stephen has applied for a Lottery heritage grant to help get his project off the ground.

Eastern Daily Press: Stephen Poulter's interest in finding out more about the history of his own home led to the beginnings of the Needham Heritage Project. Picture: Courtesy of Stephen Poulter/Norfolk County ArchivesStephen Poulter's interest in finding out more about the history of his own home led to the beginnings of the Needham Heritage Project. Picture: Courtesy of Stephen Poulter/Norfolk County Archives (Image: Archant)

He will be talking about his research on the history of Needham at an event next week (Sunday February 4) following on from the success of his last presentation in November.

'I mainly talked about my own property at the last talk and afterwards people said they were interested in hearing more about the research I had conducted,' said Stephen.

'Considering Needham is such a small place there is so much documented in the county archives about its history.'

Stephen, who runs an online antique website and works as a part-time auctioneer, has managed to date his house back to 1660 and has researched the owners across the generations back to the late 1700s.

Eastern Daily Press: A black and white postcard of Needham village in the early 20th centuryA black and white postcard of Needham village in the early 20th century (Image: Archant)

During the talk he will be revealing the history of Needham through its three old inns, the families who have lived in the village and their various fortunes and misfortunes.

Stephen will also be telling the story of Needham residents who served in the First World War and how the village prepared to celebrate the Queen's coronation in 1953.

The talk, which takes place at 2.30pm on Sunday February 4 at Needham Parish Church, is free to attend but donations and contributions to the heritage project will be welcomed.

Anyone wishing to be involved in the heritage project which will be a partnership between Needham and the neighbouring village of Brockdish should email stephenjp@talktalk.net