Botesdale, the Village c1960

My years living next to the butchers

My dad Rowland Cook took over Lasts butchers in 1985. I grew up in The Maltings which was attached to the shop and is the house on the right hand side of the photo with the big bay window from the age of 11 until I left home when I was 20. My parents ran the shop for 10 years before it closed and they moved on. The shop has since been demolished and a nasty modern house has replaced it which looks totally out of place in the street scene. Although I have many fond memories of my years in Botesdale I was glad to move away to the town.

Living in a Pub

In 1954 I was assigned as a second Lieutenant United States Weather Forecaster to RAF Sheperds Grove. After a few months living on the base I moved to a Pub in Botesdale, but unfortunately i do not remember the name. Several rooms were available. Please let me know the name. L. I. Miller

Rickinghall Chapel

Rickinghall Chapel


I came to a chapel on high ground,
The door of old English oak invited,
History was captured on the uneven white walls
And reflected on high stained windows,
And there was love
Such love,
She spoke of God as a family friend,
A guest for dinner, that would never attend,
Of times he would talk, but never speak,
Sometimes go, but never leave,
A friend that would always be there,
So clear the song,
The metaphor stayed,
And I
just sat there and prayed
And there was love,
Such love,
If this filled me with such emotion now,
How would I feel when I finally meet Him.




David Coe 2000

greengrocers in gislingham

I also remember Southgates shop, I was born in Potash Cottage and my grandparents lived in Chapel Cottage until about 1959 when my grandmother died and my grandfather moved across the road to Peartree Cottage which was only a couple of doors up from Southgates shop and Mr Fisk. Mr Fisk used to take us to Finningham railway station in his car which presumably he operated as a taxi. My aunt and uncle also lived in the village down Springfield lane and my Uncle Bob Moyes still lives in the village and has been active on the parish council over the years. I remember Mrs Scroggins, Sam Tuffs, Stefan Palmer who had a sort of scrap yard in the village, Charlie Kemp and others. I have really happy memories of long summers spent wandering around the fields outside the village. Nowadays I live in Western Australia, a long way from Gislingham, but I will be visiting again soon.

Greengrocers in Gislingham

I remember Southgate's shop, although as a general store rather than as a greengrocer. My grandparents (and great-grandparents before them) lived next door (Fred and Carrie Bridges) in Mill Street, and we used to visit every school holiday from when I was about 5 years old. Harry was dead by then, but his widow (Ivy) and daughter (June) were still there. The village pump was just outside the gate, and Fisk's coal and grain merchants were on the other side of my grandparents' cottage. My grandmother died in 1976, and I have been back only a couple of times since - very special childhood memories.