Darsham, Suffolk

Edward Charles Friend

Edward Charles Friend was my father. His first wife died in 1930, he married my mother in February 1933 and I was born in December that year. Dad died in 1957, aged 88, and active until about three weeks before he died. He was a wonderful man, everyone loved him, I would love to know more of your side of the... [more]

My British Friends

My name is Alan Trageser and I was an American Airman living in Westleton from 1981 to 1985. My son was born at Ipswich hospital.

My greatest memories are of the wonderful people I met there like the older couple that befriended me, I called him Gramps and his wife Jess, and my friends like Adam (Gramps's grandson) and the... [more]

Eddie Friend, miller and millwright at Westleton

My great great uncle, Edward Charles Friend, was listed on the 1901 Census as miller and wheelwright at Westleton.  He was born at Wenhaston 10 April 1869, the ninth child and fifth son of Samuel and Sarah Friend (nee Driver) who married at Easton on 1 October 1849.  

Wenhaston Grange

My father always said that the Whites should have stayed at Wenhaston Grange rather than moving to Boulge Hall - it was a far more manageable and charming house. I don't know when the Whites had Wenhaston, or for how long. Nor do I know if there is a house called Wenhaston Grange. Maybe there was only ever Wenhaston Hall which... [more]

When I was 5

I grew up on Church Lane. I had an auntie and uncle living on each side. We had a well for about 10 cottages. I know that the Lane has a different name now. My sisters and I used to play at the big white house at the top of the hill and in the churchyard. We went to the school... [more]

Swinging 60s

Memories of dances at Leiston/Aldeburgh to the music of local band, The Rebels, with mates Steve Mew and Keith Tomblin. I worked at G.A. Hubbards as an aerial erector before moving to London, where I still live with my wife and 3 children. I remember the 8 Bells pub whose landlords were Jack & Sylvia Ford. My aunt & uncle Dot... [more]

Dunwich Monastery Gateway

My earliest memory of Greyfriars in Dunwich was probably driving down the hill in my grandfather's old car in 1960 as he brought me to my new home at The Barne Arms Hotel. I had been at boarding school at Dollar in Scotland, and my grandfather had met me off the train in London and driven me along the tortuous roads... [more]

The Rubble on the Beach

I spent my teenage years in Dunwich, and in retrospect they were wonderful. Freedom, long walks, the beach and sea, cliffs, marshes and the old tank defences from WWII. My best friend Justin North, who lived at 'Marshside' opposite me at The Ship, and I spent hours during those years, roaming, swimming, canoeing, making carts to career down the hill from... [more]