“Not just sausages.” It is almost impossible not to smile when you hear the word, “Sausages”. Children give themselves over to giggling when they hear the word, the domestic ‘chef de cuisine’ usually knows their family will eat this simple fare with merry abandon, and together with the ubiquitous Fish Fingers, restaurants invariably place … Continue reading Rodney Rowe: The Sausage Shop and Butchery Owner
Author: Liz R
Jean Haste: a Country Child. 1935 – 2022
Even when you are working in pairs, delivering leaflets doesn’t allow much time for conversation. You may have a short discussion with an addressee or passer-by but generally the focus is on completing the round before either dropping from heat exhaustion or becoming soaked by omnipresent rain. It therefore says much in Sandra Abbott’s … Continue reading Jean Haste: a Country Child. 1935 – 2022
Jane McCarthy
Gallant defender of threatened local land in Kirton, Trimley and Bucklesham “When Stephen spoke to Kirton Parish Council last year, I was the first one to go up to him and shake him by the hand.” Jane McCarthy told me. You may recall there was one particularly significant item on the Parish Council Agendas of … Continue reading Jane McCarthy
Sam Cowley and The Little Gardens of Trimley
Looking forward to summer At this time of year, when green shoots and tender buds gradually emerge from the cold days of winter, everything seems possible. New places to explore, fresh undertakings to contemplate and the promise of green abundance as Spring moves into Summer. The simple pleasures of living in the village are … Continue reading Sam Cowley and The Little Gardens of Trimley
The Reverend Christopher Leffler
Former Rector of Trimley St. Martin, Cleric, Scholar and Historian. It was the Kirton Village Recorder, Len Lanigan who furnished me with an introduction to Christopher Leffler, the former incumbent of Trimley St. Martin and St. Mary parish churches. Or perhaps I should more accurately say it was Len and the Reverent Henry Jackson … Continue reading The Reverend Christopher Leffler
Laura Locke, Learning enthusiast
“This is what a Feminist looks like.” The first time I met Laura, we were going in opposite directions. I was entering the Felixstowe Radio[1] premises just as they were switching presenters and Rob Dunger was about to go on air before conducting a short interview with me. Laura was coming out of … Continue reading Laura Locke, Learning enthusiast
Time to move on
Jane Smith, Nurse, business woman, mother. The quietness of Sunday afternoon rested on the village when I went to visit Jane Smith. All around me small green shoots and buds were pushing their tips into the cool air and everywhere the promise of Spring abounded. At this time of year, waking up to lighter mornings … Continue reading Time to move on
Lydia Rackham Revisited: Part 3
David Cripps, The Man from Tasmania Jo Hyland, from Western Australia Last July, shortly after starting the Trimley St. Martin Village Recorder’s Blog, I posted two articles about a Trimley woman called Lydia Rackham, who was transported in the middle of the nineteenth century to Van Diemen’s Land, better known to us as Tasmania. … Continue reading Lydia Rackham Revisited: Part 3
Adrian Reynolds and the Victorian Heritage of Trimley Station …
'Alight here for Trimley St. Mary, Trimley St. Martin and surrounding Villages' The view into the Booking Office of Trimley Station It was more than fifty-two years since I had last stepped inside Trimley Station Booking Office to travel up line to Ipswich. Time has changed the substance and appearance of the small Station … Continue reading Adrian Reynolds and the Victorian Heritage of Trimley Station …
Stephen Wrinch, Campaigner
…they think it’s all over, but it isn’t! The fight for fairness and integrity in the Trimleys and Kirton. If you would like to hear an upbeat, positive view of the future of our local villages, then you can do no better than listen to Stephen Wrinch talking about the implications of the Local Plan. … Continue reading Stephen Wrinch, Campaigner
John Ford: an intertwined man. Wood Turner and Knot Maker
John Ford, aged about 16. Photo courtesy: John Ford “Better to know a knot and not need it, than need a knot and not know it.” Anon. “You should talk to John over the road,” Mel Ambrose hinted to me some months ago, “He’s a Wood Turner and a really interesting man.” I … Continue reading John Ford: an intertwined man. Wood Turner and Knot Maker
Iain Irvine Retired Police Officer: On the Campaign trail
It was another Saturday and another visit to one of the lead Campaigners of KATCAG[1]. This week I had the opportunity to talk to Iain Irvine, whom many of you may have met as he has trudged the streets of Trimley St. Martin distributing information leaflets about Suffolk Coastal’s Local Plan. The Campaign had ‘Popped … Continue reading Iain Irvine Retired Police Officer: On the Campaign trail
Becca Atherstone: Valuing the natural world, working to conserve the green spaces of Trimley St. Martin
Becca Atherstone, February 2019 Small intimations of spring are gradually advancing towards us as green shoots become visible and the daylight hours extend themselves towards early evening. Heedless of the weather, drifts of snowdrops could be seen hiding amongst the greenery when I recently gazed on Becca Atherstone’s garden from her kitchen window. In the … Continue reading Becca Atherstone: Valuing the natural world, working to conserve the green spaces of Trimley St. Martin
Bryan Frost Felixstowe to Trimley, Return. And beyond..
Perhaps there are more ‘Homing Pigeons’ in our lives than we may suppose. I recently acquired a 1938 postcard of the Trimley churches from eBay. Once the card was in my hands I was able to read the name of the signatory and the recipient. Once read, I experienced a frisson of recognition; it … Continue reading Bryan Frost Felixstowe to Trimley, Return. And beyond..
Fighting Fit: Kirton and Trimley Community Action Group Events, February 2018
The long view across the field behind Reeve Lodge, with Cavendish Grove on the middle right. The white house just visible in the middle of the picture is at the junction of Grimston and Thorpe Lanes. July 2017 This week I received an email from Becca Atherstone, who is part of the Kirton and … Continue reading Fighting Fit: Kirton and Trimley Community Action Group Events, February 2018
Robin Tramaseur: Graphic Artist and man of many parts.
Robin Tramaseur January 2019 I met Robin Tramaseur at the Village Carnival, back in the warm, soft days of July 2018,. We fell into a conversation concerning one of his contributions to the Village dating back to 1977. At the time, there wasn’t the time or space to talk in-depth and I took down … Continue reading Robin Tramaseur: Graphic Artist and man of many parts.
Reviewing the year: Trimley St. Martin in 2018
Summer Solstice, June 21st 2018 3.49 a.m. All Village Recorder's are required to write an annual report of Village events and submit them to the Suffolk Local History Council who will deposit them in Suffolk Record Office for the future. This is the second year I have written a report but it’s something of a first. … Continue reading Reviewing the year: Trimley St. Martin in 2018
One hundred years of connection: Trimley St Martin’s School and Sandra Abbott
Sandra Abbott, January 2019 Two shopping bags crammed to capacity with scrapbooks and photographs preceded Sandra Abbott’s entrance into the room. In her hands, she carried her own history and connections with St. Martin’s School, dating back the better part of a hundred years. The stove was burning brightly when she entered but by … Continue reading One hundred years of connection: Trimley St Martin’s School and Sandra Abbott
Grimston Hall on fire
Over the last thousand years or so, there have been many owners of Grimston Hall and even more occupiers. Sometimes people have remained there for ten or so years, some have remained somewhat longer. In the 19th century, there were seven owners: George Nassau, William, Earl of Rochford, Alexander, the 10th Duke of Hamilton[1], William … Continue reading Grimston Hall on fire
Morston Hall on Fire
… in the fields of Trimley St. Martin Part 1 Morston Hall When I moved to Trimley in August 1964 one of the first tangible signs of living in an agricultural community was the burning of stubble in nearly all the fields surrounding our house in Grimston Lane. Black smuts floated through windows and coated … Continue reading Morston Hall on Fire
We Object
To object: 1) to feel or express opposition, dislike or disapproval 2) a reason for doing something, or the result you wish to achieve by doing it. Outside Suffolk Coastal District Council Offices, 3rd January 2019. 7.00 p.m. Tonight, Thursday 3rd January 2019 between 6.30 p.m. and 7.30 p.m. a sizeable group of people made … Continue reading We Object
Christmas in the Village: Trimley St. Martin
Christmas lights hovering above the fields off Grimston Lane, December 2018 Over the last week I have taken the opportunity to reflect upon some of the things we associate with Christmas but in the context of Trimley St. Martin. The Lights, Christmas Trees, Carols, Gifts, Father Christmas, Cards and letters, Turkeys, the Ghost of Christmas … Continue reading Christmas in the Village: Trimley St. Martin
Bridget Gosling “A tonic to work with…”
I first came into contact with Bridget Gosling thanks to the good offices of Robin Biddle, who told me about a scrapbook dating back to 1966 containing photos of the Village Playgroup. He thought I might be interested in seeing this record of village children dating back at least fifty years or more. After some … Continue reading Bridget Gosling “A tonic to work with…”
Kitty Moss: Artist, Advertising representative, Post Office worker, wife and mother
Kitty Moss, December 2018 Self-portrait of Kitty during her time at Felixstowe Post Office On the move I am fully aware all good things come to an end but even when invited to a ‘Farewell Sunday Soirée for Neighbours’ in Kitty and Steve Moss’s Conservatory, I was still not convinced about … Continue reading Kitty Moss: Artist, Advertising representative, Post Office worker, wife and mother
Dennis Flatman: Rum ole boys
Dennis Flatman, aged 87 Young Dennis Flatman on his Wedding Day in 1957. Courtesy of Dennis and Jasmine Flatman. A few weeks ago, one of my earlier Blog subjects, who is also a helpful correspondent contacted me to suggest a possible subject for this Blog. Morag told me, “… one of the practice managers … Continue reading Dennis Flatman: Rum ole boys
We, The People, Protest.
For perhaps the first time in recorded history Ferry Lane in Felixstowe today bore witness to peaceful protest. What was all that about, you may be asking? It's not an obvious destination for Citizens' Action Groups, bearing in mind its close proximity to Felixstowe Golf Club with its remote Golf links and distant salt marshes. … Continue reading We, The People, Protest.
Robin Biddle, “Made in Trimley”
“Can we go way back?” The first time I met Robin, his arrival was not entirely unexpected. I had bumped into his wife Sue in Ipswich Record Office and it was she who sent him to visit me in June 2017. He travelled via his preferred method of transport, the electric bike. Cups … Continue reading Robin Biddle, “Made in Trimley”
Margaret Coulson… “Upstairs and downstairs…. Working in the 1940s”
Margaret Coulson, aged 90. Margaret is the babe in arms on the far left of the photo. Probably taken at Flowton. Courtesy of E. Christman. After I posted a Blog about the Church Tower in early October this year, I had a response from Elizabeth Christman. We fell into talking about … Continue reading Margaret Coulson… “Upstairs and downstairs…. Working in the 1940s”
Private Pharoah Alexander, 31991 Bricklayer’s Labourer, Warrener, Husband, Father and Soldier “No Grounds for appeal. Reject Award”
Victory Medal British Medal One hundred years ago, on the 9th November 1918, two days before the Armistice was … Continue reading Private Pharoah Alexander, 31991 Bricklayer’s Labourer, Warrener, Husband, Father and Soldier “No Grounds for appeal. Reject Award”
Grimston Hall: In the time of Noel and Kitty Smith, tenants and occupiers. 1984 – 1995
Grimston Hall Timeline Grimston Hall, c 1990 (Courtesy: Kitty Smith) After I visited Grimston Hall in August, I spent some time sharing photographs of the house with Rosemary, speculating with her about the age of the buildings and the features surrounding the property. It was she who reminded me that about twenty or thirty years … Continue reading Grimston Hall: In the time of Noel and Kitty Smith, tenants and occupiers. 1984 – 1995