The Trimley St. Martin Village Recorder’s Blog

It’s been seven years since  I started compiling The Trimley St Martin Village Recorder’s Blog. Originally, I hoped to produce something every week but changing circumstances and events rendered this impractical. Now I write when time allows but the role of the Blog remains unaltered. Why did it I start it and what’s it all about? Perhaps the following provides something of an explanation…

“It all began with Rosemary, the outgoing Village Recorder.

In 2017 I  was the new, green Recorder for Trimley St. Martin whom Rosemary had approached to take over the role.  If you are asking yourself what a Recorder is, then even proposing the question supports the answer. Our role does not involve musical instruments but has the dual function of ensuring the present events and activities in our Village are recorded at a local level, whilst at the same time noting and recording Village items of historical interest to ensure they are not lost from view. My responsibility is focused upon Trimley St Martin as Trimley St. Mary now has a new Village Recorder.

 Carnival Day 2017 was my first official, self-appointed assignment and this was why  Rosemary and I found ourselves in a field surrounded by floats, Majorettes and stalls of every description. We created a small island of two, notable only for our dextrous handling of melting ice creams on an exceptionally warm day.

 The late Rosemary Gitsham, Trimley St Martin Recorder, 1997 – 2017, at the 2017 Trimley Carnival

Perhaps it was the sweetness of the vanilla and chocolate flakes, combined with the recent images of the high kicking and flicking Marching Bands, which produced a feeling of general well-being and recklessness. Or perhaps it was simply observing people enjoying the bonhomie of the hour, which resulted in a sudden flash of recognition. Excitement ran through me.

Amidst the products, amusements, craft stands and “Save Trimley Station” notices, there was one noticeable absence. What were we doing, the Village Recorders, other than standing eating ice cream? We should be doing something, having a positive effect, meeting people and encouraging them to share their experience and understanding of Trimley History. Yes, we too should be sheltered under a shady gazebo, making ourselves known and available to our public. More than that, we should be sharing what we know with them and asking for their help in colouring in the blanks of village life. I knew my write up of the Carnival would be in my annual report and this would eventually be housed in Suffolk Record Office, only to be seen if someone in the future thought to request it. Why create something which would become invisible when we should be making tomorrow’s history recognised and visible?   In one seamless thought process, I knew what I wanted to do as the new Recorder. Firstly, I wanted the Recorder to be a positive presence in 2018 but more importantly, I wanted to establish a Trimley Blog and promote it online and in person. The reality was and is terrifying but the euphoria remains intoxicating.

The actuality of achieving this relies on all the people who contribute to our village life.

Some of the people of and associated with Trimley … and other images

From the dog walkers to Trimley SAINTS players, the school building, the Trimley Wives Club, street names, drain covers, animals, plants, church goers, bus stops, train line and all of the great and small things which surround us from the past and present, I want to present these small glimpses of our lives to the people of now and a hundred years in the future in the most accessible manner possible. I do not dismiss the detailed and memorable research of Rosemary and her predecessor, Ray Howlett.  Rather, I wish to honour their work by building upon it and placing it in the public domain.

Although the Pandemic Years of 2020 and 2021 curtailed many projects and activities. I continued to open myself to all contributions great and small. Nothing is too trivial; everything has value. Everyone has a story to tell or something to contribute. This is not about me, but is for and about those who live, have lived or will live in our Village. I would love to hear from YOU and listen to your story. I believe information should be freely available and encourage people to contact me,

Liz Rastrick.

Email: trimleystmartinrecorder@gmail.com

Supported by Trimley St Martin Parish Council

Updated 16th June 2025

Where it all began, on Carnival Day 2017, at The Trimley Sports and Social Club