Botesdale, The Angel Inn c.1955

Photo ref: B619001Y

My grandfather, Jim Kenchington, bought St. Catherines in 1961. It is the first house (partial) on the right, next door to Lasts Butchers. It was in a very sorry state when he bought it (for £900!) There was an article in the local newspaper The Journal on April 7, 1961 when he uncovered the original doorway from the 1300s with the dragons carved in the lintel. "Dragons Return to Botesdale" was the headline! Basil Brown, ...see more

The butcher's shop in Botesdale was my grandad's, his name was Last but my grandmother's maiden name was Grimes. My grandfather ran the buisness with his family for many years. My grandmother's family came from Hockwold and Methwold. My grandmother's family had a butcher's shop in Hockwold.

My dad Rowland Cook took over Lasts butchers in 1985. I grew up in The Maltings which was attached to the shop and is the house on the right hand side of the photo with the big bay window from the age of 11 until I left home when I was 20. My parents ran the shop for 10 years before it closed and they moved on. The shop has since been demolished and a nasty modern house has replaced it which ...see more

In 1954 I was assigned as a second Lieutenant United States Weather Forecaster to RAF Sheperds Grove. After a few months living on the base I moved to a Pub in Botesdale, but unfortunately I do not remember the name. Several rooms were available. Please let me know the name. L. I. Miller