Sizewell, Suffolk

Sizewell holiday.

As a kid I spent a couple of August weeks in Sizewell, staying in a timber-built bungalow just before the rise leading up to what is now the Power Station. The little bungalow was set back off the (dirt) road, and had no running water -  we went to a pump for water - and no electricm and my mum cooked on a paraffin stove. The bungalow was owned by my uncle, Ted Titlow, who had a newsagent's and hardware business in nearby Leiston. I believe this business is still in the family. Between bungalow and beach a pair of brothers, Fryer, kept a number of old motor cars which were just rotting away in the elements. These motors were generally vintage 1920 and, bless the Friars, they never minded us kids climbing over them and having a whale of a time. The sun always shone, and we often ate shrimps caught locally by Sid Booty who boiled them in his hut on the beach - we bought them by the pint!

Geese used to roam freely, quite a gaggle, and these belonged to a Mr Taylor who lived in the rather large house on the corner. Going north from the hamlet to the top of the small rise there was an imposing house in which lived Mrs Gunthorpe who rode around very upright on a sit-up-and-beg bike. The house is long gone (due to the nuclear power station) and I remember my father complaining that they had built it over the finest blackberries in all England!

I had a wonderful time there, with absolute freedom. I played with children who lived in the first coastguard cottage and we roamed the beach, the sand dunes and the common. We also spent many hours outside The Vulcan (Bert Allom?) eating Smith's crisps and supping Vimto whilst my dad had a drop of Adnam's, he has passed on his taste to me!
Mike Rutty, Somerset.

1969 - I Lived in Sizewell and grew up there

I lived in Coastguard Cottages and used to play in the village with Tim Carl Pryior. Jack Fryer, Noal Cattermole, Willie Free, Paul harrison were the local fishermen, we used to wait for them to arrive on the beach to help with the fish boxes. Frank Taylor was the car park attendant, we called him 'Peanuts' because he ate monkey nuts all day and shells laid everywhere. As kids we walked the beach to collect coal, wood and anything else the sea would bring. I can also remember the sweet shop in the Benthills, it was a great treat to go there. We used to walk to Sizewell Hall, Mr Wattison used to throw us 50 pence as a treat when he won on the horses, for sweets. We had many a great time as kids in the village and we still chat about it.

Suffolk Living Memories

Suffolk had a new landmark with the building of Sizewell A. It was later decided to build a second Sizewell B and a third Sizewell C. Sizewell B was actually constructed, but Sizewell C was cancelled. Near where we stand is a tearoom known locally as Sizewell T, which rivals Dunwich and Aldeburgh with the quality of its fish and chips.

Southwold to Aldeburgh Photographic Memories

It is the Great Mill, or Black Mill, which is the interesting element of this photograph. This mill had dominated the common for just over 100 years, having been brought down from Yarmouth in 1798.

Southwold to Aldeburgh Photographic Memories

There has been a ferry across the River Blyth for over 800 years, and between 1885 and 1942 it was the rather primitive chain ferry, which we see here carrying a horse and cart across to the Southwold side. This one is steam- operated. Today, as in the 13th century, a rowing boat provides the service for a modest fee. So, in this case, times do not change!