Saxmundham, Suffolk

International Stores

A previous shared memory recalling International Stores reminds me that my father worked there, as a roundsman. He would cycle every day from Leiston,  then do the equivalent all over again in Saxmundham, several times a day as he delivered groceries.

He had his own band - he played piano - and met my mother, Joan Spatchet, at a dance... [more]

THE WOOD AND CHURCH HILL

LIKE JOHN FISHER SAID WE PLAYED IN THE WOODS AND EXPLORED ALL THE SURROUNDING FARMLAND, SCARED OF BEING CAUGHT BY SQUIRE LONG AND LATER MISS ALDOUS.  AS FOR THE OLD WELL UP CHURCH HILL, I CAN REMEMBER DROPPING ROCKS DOWN IT WHEN THERE WAS A LOUD BANG AND A FLASH WHICH MADE US DISAPPEAR QUICKLY FROM THE SCENE.  I ALWAYS WONDERED... [more]

We played in the woods

The woods behind South Entrance were our playground. I lived at 5 South Entrance and knew every nook and cranny, and in the spring I knew where every nest was.
Names that come to mind are our neighbours Julian and Christopher Chilvers,
Doreen, Christine Mattinson (or Matteson) then David Nettleingham, Cookie, Richard Green, Colin Thomas.  Our biggest secret was the old... [more]

Family of 14 and still take in lodgers!

John and Charlotte Freeman lived in the white houses by the motor bike. ( I'm sure I have photos of groups outside the house with this bike!).  My great grandfather was a blacksmith with his smithy in Church Road. He made many of the fences that protected trees on the Hurts Farm estate.  They had 12 children.  8 boys (Thomas, George,... [more]

street farm road

We used to live in both houses as my father was the caretaker to the buildings which would have been built to the rear of the photos.

blacksmiths

Apparently my Gr Grandfather John Freeman owned a blacksmith shop that was situated just on the left hand side of the road here at the beginning of the 20th century. He also made the 'fences' that protected the bases of many of the trees on the Hurts Hall estate. I've never been able to find any written infromation about him... [more]

East Anglia

Saxmundham sits astride the main Ipswich to Lowestoft road. The town experienced rapid change and development after the railway arrived in the 19th century. The Bell Hotel was built in 1842. On the left, a chauffeur waits patiently.

Suffolk Photographic Memories

Saxmundham saw a good deal of change when the railway arrived in the 19th century. The Bell Hotel was built in 1842.

Suffolk - A Second Selection Photographic Memories

The house on the left is The Firs, occupied by Miss Cooper. The garage (centre left) belongs to Smith and Wesby, agents for Morris with cars for hire, who are still there today. The building with Dutch gables beyond the crossroads is George Reynolds, butcher; then comes The Chocolate Box, Flora Clark, grocer, Leiston Co-op, and the Bell Hotel, owned by... [more]