Lockdown continues. Another week in the life of Trimley and the Corona Virus: Week 4.

  Pink Moon   Courtesy of Laura Locke   Over the last three or four weeks, regular correspondents have been contributing weekly reports about their life in self isolation to this Blog. One of the common features of all correspondents is their positive approach to the crisis of the Covid 19 pandemic. Everyone is sustaining themselves … Continue reading Lockdown continues. Another week in the life of Trimley and the Corona Virus: Week 4.

Spring arrives as the Great Pandemic continues: Week 3.

 “The budding twigs spread out their fan…”  (William Wordsworth) After nearly three weeks of being confined to quarters, two of them compulsory, I awoke one morning to find the hedge outside my house had  sprung into  life  with blossom, flowers and tender ferns  unfurling  in  front of me. In the  weeks of  ‘lock down’,  the … Continue reading Spring arrives as the Great Pandemic continues: Week 3.

Official lock down in Trimley. The Great Pandemic: Week 2

    Small spring flowers in the hedgerow We appear to still be in a ‘phoney war’ period with the Covid-19 virus. It’s sniping fiercely around the edges while building up strength for a full onslaught. This  time  last week  the  total number  of cases in Suffolk were 22. As  of 11.00 p.m.  on Monday … Continue reading Official lock down in Trimley. The Great Pandemic: Week 2

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

Catastrophe, Cockle, Coombs and Crime; an 1817 Felony in Trimley St. Martin

  The headstone records members of John Cockle's family  in Trimley St. Martin Churchyard. (Entrance to a vault.)  Some weeks ago, I was reading a newspaper, ‘The Suffolk Chronicle’, for 17th May 1817. A small report containing the skimpiest of information caught my eye: “COMMITMENTS. – To the County Gaol, in this town, James Burroughs … Continue reading Catastrophe, Cockle, Coombs and Crime; an 1817 Felony in Trimley St. Martin

All that Jazz. Suzanne Hawkes talks Jazz …

…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 …

The Cat’s Companion: Susan Hughes, bespoke Cat sitter

   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

Ernest William Packard 1897 – 1920: A Trimley St. Martin soldier of the First World War

      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

One week in the life of Lisa Williams, World Porridge Champion

   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

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.

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…

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