Otley, Suffolk

William Gildersleeve & Thomas Robert Gildersleeve

In the year 1492 William Gildersleeve and in 1544 Thomas Robert Gildersleeve were born in Witnesham, Suffolk, England.
Gildersleeves first found in Norfolk area where they were anciently seated as Lords of the Manor.
If anyone knows any Gildersleeves (Spelling variations of the family name includes Gildersleeve, Gildersleve, Gilderslieve, Gildensleeve, Gildensleve, Sildsleeve, Gildsleve, Guildersly).

The Black and White Cottages

My great grandparents, my nanna (and all of her siblings)and my mother all lived in this house. I'm not sure of the timeframe but it was for a number of years. My mom had many fond memories and stories of the crinkly wall across the street, as well as the 5 Bridges. My family name is Harvey. My grandfather and his family also grew up in Easton. His family name is Last. I visit Easton everytime I go back to England. It is one of my favourite places in the whole world. I tend to take pictures each time I go as well. Time seems to have stood still in Easton. What a wonderful place.

Hillman Imp outside the Red Lion

We moved to Debenham in 1964, when I was seven years old. Having come from Oxfordshire, where the houses were built of stone, I remember being amazed that many of Debenham's old houses were painted pink. 'Suffolk Pink' is the traditional colour of the limewash used on the timber-framed houses in this county. The Red Lion, the pub on the right of this photo, was one example.

The Hillman Imp parked outside the pub in this picture, belonged to my parents. They had just stopped to pop into the Post Office, which is next to the Lion. If you look very closely, you can just see the silhouettes of my brother and me, sitting in the back seat!

The Hillman Imp was new when this photo was taken. It was sky-blue, and we were excited to have such a modern car, with its folding back seat and rear window that opened. It was quite a departure from our previous car, a Morris 8.

Debenham High Street has changed very little since this picture was taken. While the buildings remain, many of the businesses that they housed have gone. The Red Lion is now a private house, as is the building on the left, which used to be Rose's Butchers. The Market Cross - the little white building at the top of the green - has seen many changes. When we first arrived in Debenham, it was a shop selling knitting wools. Since then it has sold in turn antiques, crafts, paintings, and is now an architect's office.

ARTHUR WALTER HURRELL

MY FATHER ARTHUR WALTER HURRELL WAS BORN IN CLAYDON IN 1898. HIS PARENTS WERE JOSEPH AND MARY ELIZABETH HURRELL. I AM TRYING TO FIND OUT WHETHER HE HAD ANY BROTHERS OR SISTERS. AND WERE HIS PARENTS ORIGINATED FROM. ANY INFORMATION WOULD BE APPRECIATED. MY EMAIL ADDRESS IS retfordrascal@hotmail.co.uk. Tony Hurrell