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Walberswick memories

Here are memories of Walberswick and the local area. You can start now: Add your own Memory of Walberswick or a Walberswick photo.

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.

Memories of Suffolk

The Grand Hotel

From The Pier 1919
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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 something which could never happen today. I particularly remember the peonies which grew in the abandoned grounds, which seemed to me at the time very exotic.

Southwold Pier

The Pier Woth The London Boat Leaving 1906
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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.

Born Sailor

Boating Lake c1955
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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.

A Life Re-Lived

Mill on The Common 1893
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My great great grand father - William Parkington - was master miller at the mill on Southwold Common in 1890. Imagine my delight at being able to see the actual building he used to work in all those years ago

The Grand Hotel & Other Locations

From The Pier 1919
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I remember The Grand Hotel in the mid to late 1950s. My cousins lived in Marlborough Road, the end of which ran past the rear of the 'Grand'. I can't remember whether it still had a roof, but I do remember that it was possible to get inside the place if you knew how. We did play in it, but did not get hurt or told off for being in there. I suppose it could have been dangerous, but when you are in your mid teens, you laugh at danger! I remember that there were always lots of really nice flowers still blooming during the summer. Other memories of Southwold from that time, include playing the penny fruit machines (remember those cranes that dropped the item just before it reached the chute?), in the pier arcade and playing snooker in the Sailors Reading Room. I have been to Southwold many times since those teenage years and it is always a pleasure, unfortunately, some of the pubs and shops have changed but... Read more

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