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
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Clifford Abbott: common sense, mechanical aptitude and bicycles.
Clifford Abbott, October 2019 Four or five years ago, new neighbours moved into the house next door to my mother, Jean Mayes[1], in Grimston Lane. With a considered nod, she declared herself well pleased with their arrival for they had been known to her for some years; every confidence was expressed concerning their ability … Continue reading Clifford Abbott: common sense, mechanical aptitude and bicycles.
After the Inspector Called
The Trimley Churches from Howlett Way, August 2019. Courtesy of Becca Atherstone When I met Becca Atherstone[1] earlier in the year, she explained how she came to be involved in K.A.T.C.A.G. This local protest group have been raising funds and awareness for over a year in order to fight the proposed land developments in … Continue reading After the Inspector Called
Mrs I. makes many good things
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
Lorna Adamson: School Governor, Statistician and educational enthusiast
…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
Memory Lane: The Project begins
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
The Bridge: a big, bright green pleasure machine…
"...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…
Models in the Memorial Hall
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
Trimley: Tourist Destination
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
Growing a legacy: the garden of Stephen and Lynne Bozier
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
Suzanne Hawkes and The Two Sisters Arts Centre
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 Ralphs of Grimston Hall
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
Dan Smith, Civil Engineer and the Railway works in Trimley St. Martin
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
The beauty of the Little Gardens of 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
The Little Open Gardens of Trimley
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
Snap : Photographs of Trimley in the early Twentieth Century
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
Memory Lane
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
Chandra Grover, Musician
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
Rodney Rowe: The Sausage Shop and Butchery Owner
“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
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
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
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
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
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”
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”
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