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 →

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 →

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 →

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 →

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 →

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 →

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 →

1918 – 2018 Commemorating the Trimley St. Martin and St. Mary soldiers of the First World War

Knitted  Poppies for Remembrance "The news that the armistice was to come into effect was got forward to our far-flung patrols and batteries with great promptitude and a Great Silence fell upon the land after 11 o'clock...Our scattered troops were told to unfix bayonets and upload magazines and to stand to for further orders.  I … Continue reading 1918 – 2018 Commemorating the Trimley St. Martin and St. Mary soldiers of the First World War →

Mel Ambrose: A woman of diverse creative talents

Mel Ambrose The nights began to draw in as the end of September slowly crept towards us. Maybe some of us were starting to think of winter evening projects to absorb and occupy our time, over and above simply watching television, reading or playing on the computer. This preparatory preoccupation is unlikely to be something … Continue reading Mel Ambrose: A woman of diverse creative talents →

Maurice Norman: Spurs and England Footballer, husband and father

  The sign on Maurice and Jacqueline’s Summer House, September 2018 Recently, two people, independently of each other, suggested a possible subject for the St. Martin's Blog; “You should contact Maurice Norman. He played for England and Spurs. And, he lives in St. Martin’s.”  they said forcefully, with a degree of pride and respect. I … Continue reading Maurice Norman: Spurs and England Footballer, husband and father →

Susan Hughes: new Trimley St. Martin Resident and Library and Information Adviser

Susan Hughes, August 2018 Should you examine the handsome and finely drawn 1807 Enclosure Award Map for Trimley St. Martin, you will observe a survey of extensive farm lands, dotted with small farming settlements and dominated by a closely-knit village centre. The complete population for our village at that time was about 256 people, according … Continue reading Susan Hughes: new Trimley St. Martin Resident and Library and Information Adviser →