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
Tag: Trimley St.Martin
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
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
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
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
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
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”
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
Back to School: Kate Todd Business Manager of Trimley St. Martin Primary School
On October 9th 1875, Trimley St. Martin’s Infant school opened its doors to receive twenty-eight boys and fourteen girls. In the absence of a qualified member of staff Mary Ann Bone, an uncertificated teacher, was in charge of the Department. But little was achieved in the first week, because of “…a want of apparatus…” and … Continue reading Back to School: Kate Todd Business Manager of Trimley St. Martin Primary School
Jane Lightfoot “The Hat Lady” of Goslings Farm
There was no disguising it any longer. I could see Autumn was creeping towards us in a stealthy but determined fashion when I set off to talk to Jane, at the back end of August. Walking to Goslings’ Farm I noticed the hedges were sporting elderberries and scarlet haws, whilst the tops of the hedges … Continue reading Jane Lightfoot “The Hat Lady” of Goslings Farm
Berridge Eve – Trustee of The Poors Land of Trimley St. Martin
“Inclosure came and trampled on the grave Of labour’s rights …” John Clare 1793 -1864 When I viewed Yvonne Smart’s excellent plot on the St. Martin’s Allotments earlier this year, my curiosity about these productive green areas was awakened and since then I have found myself wondering how and when they had originated. I … Continue reading Berridge Eve – Trustee of The Poors Land of Trimley St. Martin
Diane Conroy – Site Supervisor of Goslings Farm Shop, Trimley St. Martin
“…and the best place is Trimley, in Suffolk’s fair land, Where the strawberries cluster like grapes in the hand.” From the album: ‘Time out of mind’ by Triangle It was the hottest day of the summer to date, with the temperature moving towards 33°, when I walked languidly across the dusty fields to Goslings Farm … Continue reading Diane Conroy – Site Supervisor of Goslings Farm Shop, Trimley St. Martin
Lydia Rackham: A Trimley Woman in Van Diemen’s Land Part 1
“Bound for Van Diemen's land, brave boys, Far, far across the sea” If you have lived in the Trimley area for any length of time you may be aware of a well-known historical women, a certain Margaret Catchpole, whose story was told by the Rev. Richard Cobbold in 1845, some 40 odd years after … Continue reading Lydia Rackham: A Trimley Woman in Van Diemen’s Land Part 1
Lydia Rackham: A Trimley Woman in Van Dieman’s Land Part 2
“They chained us two by two and whipped and lashed along They cut off our provisions if we did the least thing wrong They march us in the burning sun until our feet are sore So hard's our lot now we are got to Van Diemen's shore” From: Lament...Upon Van Diemen's Shore by Sarah Collins … Continue reading Lydia Rackham: A Trimley Woman in Van Dieman’s Land Part 2
Trimley St Martin Recorder's Blog 