Sue Biddle in 2009 A fortnight ago, before the world became something unfamiliar to us all, Sue Biddle cycled round to see me with the aim of discussing one of her longstanding projects. Some years back I met Sue in the Ipswich Branch of Suffolk Record Office, one dull Saturday morning when she was … Continue reading Sue Biddle… Headstone Hunter →

“Bound for Van Diemen's land, brave boys, Far, far across the sea”  (The story of Lydia Rackham and her family was originally published in three separate parts in 2018 and 2019. I have decided to put all three together as one long narrative for ease of access.) Part 1 If you have lived in the … Continue reading The true story of Lydia Rackham… →

…and all about the new 2020 season at Two Sisters. “Not just an Arts venue for Trimley but for the whole Felixstowe Peninsula.” This was how Suzanne Hawkes described the Two Sisters Arts Centre, when it opened last year in Trimley St. Mary’s Church. The first year’s programme brimmed over with plays, gigs, music and … Continue reading All that Jazz. Suzanne Hawkes talks Jazz … →

   Nineteen year old Daffodil amongst the Broad Beans. When I last spoke to Susan in 2018, she was a new resident of Trimley St. Martin and employed full-time in Felixstowe Library. When we met again this month, I found that time and Susan have moved on to something new and exciting. Susan is now … Continue reading The Cat’s Companion: Susan Hughes, bespoke Cat sitter →

Pearl Blythe, Club Member ‘A day without a friend is like a pot without a single drop of honey left inside.”           Winnie-the-Pooh by A.A. Milne In the middle of last month, I visited a newly re-formed organisation, Christine’s Club, in the meeting hall of the Methodist Church. The Club has nothing … Continue reading Christine’s Club →

    Gerry Bremner About thirty years ago, at an Art exhibition in Christchurch Mansion, I fell into conversation with a former Opera singer. We discussed the images in front of us with the casual informality of strangers and before we moved in opposite directions, he informed me our five minute interlude would not have … Continue reading Gerry Bremner – ‘Il Tenore’ →

      Part of the Poppy Cascade, St. Martin’s Church October – November 2018 Last year the annual Remembrance Day commemorations focused upon the centenary of the cessation of First World War’s hostilities.  Trimley St. Martin chose to recall the men who were called upon to respond to their country either through choice or … Continue reading Ernest William Packard 1897 – 1920: A Trimley St. Martin soldier of the First World War →

  Aquatic Fabric collage, Sue Edmunds Kitty Moss called me and it was decided we would head out to visit the Trimley St. Martin Arts and Crafts Fair as early as possible. We weren't quite the first people through the door but well in advance of any crowds. The variety of items on offer gave … Continue reading Arts and Crafts Fair on display →

   Lisa Williams and some of her wooden Spurtles. About three or four weeks ago, I contacted Lisa Williams of Stennetts Community Café to ask her if she was prepared to talk to me about her community enterprise. Her agreement was almost instantaneous but qualified: we would have to meet towards the end of October … Continue reading One week in the life of Lisa Williams, World Porridge Champion →

  26th October 2019 10.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. Autumn comes to Trimley More than fifty five years ago, when I first landed in Trimley, one of my personal highlights for the autumn season was a Bazaar-like occasion held in the Memorial Hall. I can’t now recall who organised the event, although suspect it was … Continue reading Arts and Crafts Fair →

Sharon Iannuzzi,  Teacher and Crafter Other than embarrassment, there should be a word to describe the sensation of meeting someone who appears familiar but whose name remains elusive to the observer. At the official Bridge opening earlier this month, I fell into conversation with one of the people looking after the children from Felixstowe Opportunities … Continue reading Mrs I. makes many good things →

  …Making sure things add up… The door to Trimley St. Martin School. Way back in April this year Trimley St. Martin held its Annual Parish Meeting. Not to be confused with the Parish Council Meetings, this event proved to be an excellent source of information[i] as it filled in some knowledge gaps and introduced … Continue reading Lorna Adamson: School Governor, Statistician and educational enthusiast →

Regular readers of this Blog may recall that earlier in the year, Christine Moulton talked to me about a proposed new venture based at Trimley’s Trinity Methodist Church. Using the “Memory Lane” model which operates in Felixstowe, it would offer Dementia sufferers and their Carers an opportunity to socialise in an informal and friendly setting. … Continue reading Memory Lane: The Project begins →

"...Are you worried and distressed? Can't seem to get no rest? Put our product to the test You'll feel just fine Nooooow Buy a big bright green pleasure machine" Simon and Garfunkel: 'Big Bright Green pleasure machine'  from 'Parsley Sage Rosemary and thyme', 1966 Sometimes it seems like certain conditions are destined to go on … Continue reading The Bridge: a big, bright green pleasure machine… →

Last Saturday, 27th July 2019, saw the arrival of one of my favourite events in the Trimley Calendar. The Modelling community hit the village with verve and enthusiasm, bringing with them exhibits to make the heart go zing.  With  Adrian Reynolds of 'Save Trimley Station' on the entrance, examples of small twentieth century pleasures boldly … Continue reading Models in the Memorial Hall →

To celebrate the onset of the Summer Holiday Season, I am drawing upon my small collection of historic postcards from the two Trimleys. My interest in such ephemera was originally sparked by a small project I undertook about three years ago. Without going into too much unnecessary detail, part of this involved walking the entire … Continue reading Trimley: Tourist Destination →

  Last month, the biennial Open Gardens event sprang up across the two Trimleys. It was just about impossible to visit them all but I did manage everyone open in Trimley St. Martin, spending a happy day moving from one to the other. One of the first gardens I visited was that of Steve and … Continue reading Growing a legacy: the garden of Stephen and Lynne Bozier →

  Courage calls to Courage 19th and 20th July at the Two Sisters Arts Centre, Trimley St. Mary Church With their shared churchyard, the two churches of Trimley St. Martin and St. Mary have been a defining feature in our villages for hundreds of years. In the last few years, St. Mary’s Church hasn’t been … Continue reading Suzanne Hawkes and The Two Sisters Arts Centre →

  The barely legible head stone of Samuel Ralph, son of Samuel and Jane Ralph. In memory of Samuel, son of Samuel & Jane Ralph who departed this life January the 20th 1813 Age 23 Years.  “Remember now thy creator in the days of thy youth.” (Ecclesiastes 12:1) *** On Saturday 8th September 1909, a … Continue reading The Ralphs of Grimston Hall →

    Civil Engineer and Senior Project Office, working for Volker Fitzpatrick The Volker Fitzpatrick site, just off the Howlett Way/High Road roundabout, under construction. February 2018. It is difficult to conceive of a Trimley St. Martin resident who is unaware of the rail works which have been part of our lives for the last … Continue reading Dan Smith, Civil Engineer and the Railway works in Trimley St. Martin →

Little Gardens of Trimley Open Weekend. 15th and 16th June 2019. The weather on Saturday was ideal. Not too hot, not too cold. Just right. The gardens were uniformly outstanding and simply perfect, although I suspect most of the owners would say there is always room for improvement.  Although I lack any gardening knowledge or expertise, … Continue reading The beauty of the Little Gardens of Trimley St. Martin →

This weekend, the 15th and 16th June 2019, the Open Gardens event returns to the Trimleys. Did I mention before the excitement this has engendered within me? Two years ago I spent a two very happy, warm days, drifting from Garden to Garden. Even if the sun doesn't shine quite as vigorously as in previous … Continue reading The Little Open Gardens of Trimley →

  Although it may seem an unnecessary announcement,  it is fair to say Trimley St. Martin is experiencing significant changes in 2019. Some changes, such as the new Footpath and Bridleway Bridge are manifestly apparent, not least because of their size. Other changes take place slowly and over a lengthier period of time. The village … Continue reading Snap : Photographs of Trimley in the early Twentieth Century →

Christine Moulton, helping those with memory loss.   WANTED: Volunteers There can be few people who have never known or met those affected by memory loss. As our population and life expectation increase, the difficulties of old age touch the lives of many families and memory impairment can manifest itself in many ways. There are … Continue reading Memory Lane →

   How to shine... “Talk to Chandra, my next door neighbour. Not only has she  had a very interesting life but you’ll be amazed at what she does…” This was part of a conversation Laura Lock and I had sometime in April this year. As is the nature of such conversations, one thing led to … Continue reading Chandra Grover, Musician →

  “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 →