LETTER: Can anyone help with information on Mr Toad and Ely courtroom?

I wonder whether I can test the memories of some of your readers, to help me with some local research I am undertaking?

It has been said that the courtroom in Ely’s courthouse was used as the inspiration for the scene in ‘The Wind In The Willows’ with illustrations by E H Shepherd, where Mr Toad is hauled before the magistrate.

My question is ‘How do we know this is definitely true?’ So far I have not been able to find anything to back this claim up.

If any of your readers has any information I would love to hear from them

Ted Coney

tedconey@btinternet.com