Yoxford memories
Here are memories of Yoxford and the local area. You can start now: Add your own Memory of Yoxford or a Yoxford photo.
The Seat That Ezra Built
This shelter/seat was built by my grandfather, Ezra Dowsing Cotton, in I believe the 1930s to commemorate the Silver Jubilee of George V. At least I think so. As a child I thought it was in memory of those who fell in the First World War . Ezra Cotton was a carpenter, builder, and importantly the village undertaker, in the early years of the 20th century, and possibly the late 19th century. His daughters Cicely, Violet and Winifred were given the task of embroidering the pillows on which the heads of the deceased lay. He originally lived in Verandah House in the High Street, now an antiques shop (?), and subsequently in a cottage in Brook Street, not far from The King's Head. My cousin Jean and I were sent there on occasions, in his retirement, to bring him home at lunchtime. His son Ezra was also an undertaker in St Albans. His other son Douglas, a schoolmaster, died in Japanese captivity on the Burma Railway, and is commemorated on the... Read more
Childhood Memories of Rookery Park
My grandparents were William and Ruby Balls who worked at Rookery Park and lived there all their lives. The Hamblings were very good to them and they retired in peace through to the 1980s. As a kid I had many happy memories helping my grandad with the chickens and exploring the extensive grounds. Does anyone remember them?
The Hut
The village club, always known in my family (the Colletts and the Cottons) as 'The Hut', was where all the young people of that time, and probably earlier, met, since that particularly was the venue for village dances. Inevitably permanent relationships were made there. My mother Violet Cotton and her sister Winifred, daughters of Ezra Cotton, village carpenter and undertaker, met my father William Collett and his brother Charles, sons of William Collett, at one time Head Gardener at Cockfield Hall, at such dances. Their marriages in 1929 and 1928 respectively were at the village church. Charles had a haulage business on the site now covered by Cullcott Close, called that in memory of the firm 'Cullingford and Collett'.
Bank House, Yoxford
When I was a child, my great-aunt, Mrs Judith Pheby, lived in Bank House, Yoxford, and was its caretaker. The bank only visited the village once a week, I think, and the rest of the time the bank was closed. The house is on the corner, immediately opposite the Jubilee Seat, and I remember visiting there as a child. In those days, there was just one cold tap in the back kitchen, and the stairs were in a kind of cupboard. The beds had feather mattresses, and there were basins and ewers in each of the bedrooms, and a tin bath in the outside loo. The tiny garden was full of hollyhocks and other flowers, and the sun always seemed to be shining. Mrs Pheby's sister, Violet, also lived in Yoxford with her husband, John Bradbrook, and daughter, Connie. They initially lived in a tied house on one of the estates (I think it was Rookery Park, but am not yet certain) where John Bradbrook was chauffeur (one of the few... Read more
Memories of Suffolk
Swinging 60s
Memories of dances at Leiston/Aldeburgh to the music of local band, The Rebels, with mates Steve Mew and Keith Tomblin. I worked at G.A. Hubbards as an aerial erector before moving to London, where I still live with my wife and 3 children. I remember the 8 Bells pub whose landlords were Jack & Sylvia Ford. My aunt & uncle Dot & George Scopes still live at Beaumont Cottages, my dad's name is Matt (Paddy) Mckenna.
When I Was 5
I grew up on Church Lane. I had an auntie and uncle living on each side. We had a well for about 10 cottages. I know that the Lane has a different name now. My sisters and I used to play at the big white house at the top of the hill and in the churchyard. We went to the school in the Guild Hall until my sisters had to take a bus to Framlingham. I have some lovely memories of my childhood there. I remember when Queen Elixabeth II was crowned, we all stood on the road to Saxmundham and cheered as the cars went b. My dad took me to the school to get my mug with an orange inside it to commemorate the crowning of the new queen.
Kelsale Eight Bells:
I was born and grew up in Kelsale and have known all the under named people at
some stage. I am retired now and like Ann I am back living in Kelsale and have so
many good (and not so good) memories I could relate about the village people and
village life in the fifties. I agree with Ann that things have changed so much now as
is the case with the majority of villages, mainly due to the closure of the local pubs,
shops and post offices which has removed much of the community spirit of bygone
years, and the influx of 'home in the country' townies who would really prefer to be
living in a town with everything just round the corner, or who 'love living in the
country' with secret aspirations of becoming 'Lord of the Manor' overnight.
The villagers Ann mentions were just a few of the 'real characters' of Kelsale each
in their own right worthy of a chapter in the book of Kelsale Village... Read more
The Yanks Who Lived in Kelsale For A Bit
I don't know if anyone remembers us. My father was stationed at Bentwaters and he, my Mom, my two brothers and I lived in Kelsale for three years from 1967 through 1970. They were three of the best years of our lives. We loved living in Kelsale. Everyone was so nice and welcoming.
I was nine years old, my brothers were six and three. We lived in The Old Post Office on The Street. I am sure the street name has changed by now. I remember playing in the conger field and in the churchyard. My brother broke his arm on the playground across from the guild hall.
We played with Ivan Ludbrook, Wayne and Tanya Watson and many others.
We attended the Methodist Chapel and we still hear from Vera Mann and her family every year.
I remember a Mrs. Rowe played the organ at the chapel and she rode her bicycle to and from the village to do her shopping.
The Church
I remember the church in the background of this photo, my mother and father and brother are all buried there now and I'll be visiting in May 2011, with my close friend Maxine. I used to remember a small bungalow there called Eastveiw in Kelsale. I also remember a gentelman named John White from the 1950s. I would like to say I'm aged 77 and loved looking at these old photos from where I grew up, it brought back many memories from the good old days. My brother named Victor Chambers remained in Kelsale all his life. I moved to Oxford and have now retiered to Bournemouth. My parents' names were Victor Fredrick Henry Chambers and Sarah Chambers, if anyone remembers any of my late family members please can you email me, I would love to hear from you. I am looking forward to re visiting Kelsale very soon.
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