Pakenham, Suffolk

So Many Happy Hours

I spent so many happy summer holidays in Great Barton, and in particular Conyers Green where my Aunt Norah Lovelace lived in a cottage next to the old chapel building.  I cycled often to the village store/post office, and to my friend's parent's farm up the lane at the side of the cottage, their name was Rolfe and we had many... [more]

Harry Elmer

I'm sure I remember a Harry Elmer......did he have a shop in Elmswell or did he rent out motor cars or even caravans from Woolpit?

I was born in Elmswell in 1947 and the name certainly rings a very loud bell and was constantly mentioned in our household at the time.

Elmers Mill - Family History

Hi there. Harry Elmer (who I understand was my GGrandad's brother) owned and ran this Mill into the 1940s. The Muggeridge Collection has some wonderful images of him replendent in the very gentlemanly working clothes of a miller of his ilk, and still working in his 80's.  Anecdotally Elmers Mill in Woolpit and Drinkstone Mill close by were dead ringers for... [more]

School in Walsham

I atended primary school in Walsham from 1953 to 1955, my father was stationed at Shepards Grove. We lived in West House about a mile out of town toward Bury St Edmonds. I enjoyed my time in school there. My wife and I made a trip back to places I lived at and we went through Walsham and I remembered most... [more]

Steel's Grocers

In 1861 my Great, Great, Great Grandfather Charles Frederick Whiskin worked for the Steel family in their grocer's shop situated in the Butter Market.  Charles came originally from Black Friars in London and was born in 1832.  He learnt his trade from the Steels and went on to own his own shop in Aylesbury Buckinghamshire which he ran with his wife... [more]

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... [more]

family connection to the Shoulder of Mutton

My great great grandfather was Richard Thurston and I believe that his family lived at the pub about 1845.
They had several children Deborah,John Palmer,Mary Jane,Richard and William Mumford (thurston) His wife was Susannah.
John Palmer Thurston was my great grandfather.
My grandfather William John Thurston emigrated to Australia in 1910 with his wife Agnes Alice Thurston(nee Stillwell) from Sussex.
[more]

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... [more]