Reydon, Suffolk

Born Sailor

I thought the picture of me as a toddler in a wooden paddle boat was taken at Southwold, and now 60 years on it was Southwold. We only went there from Norwich for the odd trip but I am pleased to find this c1955 picture in the Frith pictures.

Southwold Pier

This shows the original, full length pier in all it's glory before gradual destruction. Now recently restored it is nevertheless much shorter. The photo must have been taken from the old Grand Hotel.

The Grand Hotel

I was born in Southwold but left there many years ago. This view shows the Grand Hotel which was demolished in the late 1950's. It was derelict for many years, this being the only way I remember it. As a child it was very daring to venture into it - undoubtedly potentially dangerous in view of the state of it and... [more]

Walking with Bob

Walking with Bob my border collie through the salt marshes and dunes. Listening to the birds in the marshes and trying not to get lost! Keeping Bob away from people as he's a very cautious rescued border collie. The sense of peace whenever I have returned here. Now sadly without my dearest brave Bob but always remembered.

Wilfred Albert Parsk

I think my Grandfather was born on this street! He was called Wilfred Albert Parsk and fought in the Somme at about 16 years of age He never spoke much about the war but I know he lost a lot of his friends. He died in the 1980s but his memory is still cherished!

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]

The Ghost at The Ship

My parents owned and ran The Ship Inn from 1960 to 1975. My father a retired soldier and wartime paratrooper had taken early retirement to buy the business, then called The Barne Arms Hotel after the estate. The new Inn sign was based on the Blue Peter logo from the BBC Children's programme (from whom he'd got permission to use a... [more]