Suffolk. Lost Country Houses

Orwell Lodge was built for Robert Charles Ransome, grandson of Robert Ransome, founder of the engineering firm of the same name. Robert Charles was born in 1830, entered the business as an engineering apprentice at 16 and at 27 became a partner (with responsibility for overseas trade). Although a direct descendant of the founder, he was the eldest son of Robert Ransome’s second son (also Robert) the line of succession passed to James Allen Ransome. In the 1860s the health of his uncle (James Allen) deteriorated and Robert Charles took over the running of the business becoming chairman in 1884. With his new found role he had Orwell Lodge built in Belstead Road (prior to this he had lived in Carr Street), he became Mayor of Ipswich in 1867 and was the first chairman of the new School Board in 1871, established to bring schools under local government control. Robert Charles Ransome was never a well man and he died at home in Orwell Lodge in 1886. A year or two later his wife Elizabeth died and Orwell Lodge was sold to William Francis Paul, brother of Robert, hence R & W Paul. William had some major alterations carried out including a tower (erected in 1895) by Ipswich architects Eade & Johns. The same firm was working at about the same time for William Pretty, making alterations to Goldrood (now St Joseph’s College). The lodge to Orwell Lodge still stands and is today 97 Belstead Road.