... for now and some of the Viral words of 2020: Some of the words we have seen or heard in the last four months The Word Cloud above indicates some of the words which have been part of our lives for the last four months. Last year (2019), Brexit was the Word and indeed, … Continue reading Their final words…
Category: Blog
Criminals: Felons, incendiaries, horse-stealers
The apprehension and prosecution of such offenders in the Colneis Hundred: ‘A meeting at The Mariners was called for Monday 25th April 1785’ Part 1: 1785 - 1815 The Colneis Hundred Association first became known to me when researching the crimes perpetrated upon John Cockle, Surgeon of the Parish of Trimley St. Martin, in 1817[1]. If … Continue reading Criminals: Felons, incendiaries, horse-stealers
Some like it hot – Curry Night and the restoration of Trimley Station
Postcard view from either the bridge or one of the gatehouses at Trimley Station Postmark 1909. (N.B. the lamppost is still in situ.) Please note, this event has now been cancelled due to the outbreak of Covid 19 When and where can you experience one or more of the following; Curry; Railways; Good Times rolling. … Continue reading Some like it hot – Curry Night and the restoration of Trimley Station
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
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..
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
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
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 On the 9th November 1918, two days before the Armistice was announced, ‘The Times’ newspaper … 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, 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 ago the house … Continue reading Grimston Hall: In the time of Noel and Kitty Smith, tenants and occupiers. 1984 – 1995
Morag Liffen: Working writer and author
Morag Liffen, October 2018 Felixstowe Book Festival usually hits town in June and has become a regular feature of local life since 2013. From 2016 onwards, a Short Story competition has been part of the activities. A recent email correspondence with Morag Liffen of Trimley St. Martin revealed she was this year’s winner and … Continue reading Morag Liffen: Working writer and author
The Hedgehogs introduced me to…Frances Bolger and Mark Leggett (and Sam the Dog)
The hedgehog hides beneath the rotten hedge And makes a great round nest of grass and sedge, Or in a bush or in a hollow tree; John Clare 1793 -1864 Mark Leggett and his partner Frances Bolger have lived in Goslings Way for about a year, having moved here from the spreading estate of Grange … Continue reading The Hedgehogs introduced me to…Frances Bolger and Mark Leggett (and Sam the Dog)
Ascending the Tower: On the roof of Trimley St. Martin Church
“The church is situated in the same churchyard with that of Trimley St. Mary, and contains a mausoleum for the family of Sir John Barker, Bart.: the walls of the burial-ground were repaired with the stones of Felixstow Castle and priory.” Extract from, “A Topographical Dictionary of England” Samuel Lewis. 1848 This article was written … Continue reading Ascending the Tower: On the roof of Trimley St. Martin Church
Grimston Hall in 2018
“It would have given me great pleasure to have met you at Grimston Hall. I was very sure that no light cause prevented your coming to me….” Letter from Mr. George Nassau, 7th Nov 1812 Over the years, I have often walked along footpaths adjacent to Grimston Hall. With its own drive … Continue reading Grimston Hall in 2018
Trimley St Martin Recorder's Blog 