Memories of Saxmundham
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Shared Memories of Saxmundham
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Year: 1930s
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 in the Market Hall. They married in 1937, my sister Ann was born a year later and I arrived on February 23rd 1944 - just a few weeks after my father was killed on a bombing raid over Germany on January 1/2nd, when his plane was attacked by a night fighter. Two years ago we travelled to Germany from our home on the Staffordshire/Shropshire border, and with the help of a local journalist, the Mayor of Weyhausen, and the townsfolk, we found the crash site of his plane. It was in a forest and has been left undisturbed, with the Mayor pledging to place flowers on the site every year. I've always considered Saxmundham my home and visit at least once a year for my "dose of Sax". Some other events I recall - the Queen Mother arriving for the Suffolk Show (then held in Saxmundham), catching newts in the pond near the recreation ground, and Saxmundham Primary School (still only just standing on my last visit, awaiting a use). Teacher Mr Foster had a violin and thought he could play music. Aargh! We were also one of the first schools to have a new climbing frame - known as "the apparatus". Elf and safety would condemn it today. One of the teachers used to tie our thumbs together and make us stand by the fire if we were naughty. I was always there. I remember Headmaster Mr Bettenson, who was still alive and kicking just a few years ago and is probably still. I was also a keen train spotter and I remember those glorious occasions when Britannia steamed into Sax station. What an engine, still going strong today, though mostly retired. Then there was Backhouses - the grocery shop where service was the key word. It had a lovely smell of tea and coffee, which I can still recall today. I'd be pleased to hear from anyone from the town on john.g.fisher@btinternet.com Last edited: 26/06/2008 12:13 by John Fisher |
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 Saxmundham, Church Street c1955 (ref: S69020) |
Year: 1910s
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 or the 'smithy' though. Posted: 29/09/2007 22:00 by Carol Allen |
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 Saxmundham, South Approach c1955 (ref: S69005) |
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 WHAT IT HAD BEEN. CERTAINLY TAKES YOU BACK READING THESE MEMORIES. Last edited: 14/08/2007 16:20 by Chris Chilvers |
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Saxmundham, South Approach c1955 (ref: S69005) |
Year: 1955
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 well, through the far end of the woods, and up Church HIll. It had been covered with a concrete cap, but we chipped away and made a hole, lighting paper and throwing it down to get a good look. It contained dumped wartime explosives, probably incendiaries, which we threw bricks at. I got my eyebrows badly singed when something went off and a wall of fire shot up. Its been filled in now...but did they fill in the explosives too? I suspect so, which means there are houses very nearby. Oops! I recall vividly making bows and arrows, carrying an air-rifle, dodging Squire Long's wife in her Morris car, and later befriending Colin Clack, who lived in the gatehouse at the top of the Hurts Hall drive that came out into South Entrance. If anyone wishes to contact me and share some memories, I'll be pleased to e.mail. Nowadays I live in Staffordshire, but still travel to Saxmundham at least once a year. Last edited: 30/05/2007 09:27 by John Fisher |
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 Saxmundham, Police Station and Clinic c1955 (ref: S69016) |
Year: 1979
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. Posted: 07/02/2007 20:20 by Sarah Hutchinson |
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