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Criminals: Felons, incendiaries, horse-stealers

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 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