Flashback: A Royal anniversary is remembered in Southwold

Re: 500th anniversary of Southwold’s Royal Charter

The picture you included is one that was taken on Monday May 22, 1989 in Southwold market place for the town’s first event marking the 500th anniversary of the town’s Royal Charter.

The Collett family have had a long association with Southwold, since 1870, with various holiday homes and my grandfather, Sir Charles Collett, was Lord Mayor of London in 1933. So, my late brother, in 1989, then the Lord Mayor, Sir Christopher Collett GBE, MA, BSc and his wife Lady Anne Collett came down from London because of our long Collett family association with the town.

He was invited to open the renovated East Wing of Southwold Hospital. This was at the invitation of the Great Yarmouth and Waveney Health Authority and in conjunction with the League of Friends of Southwold Hospital.

The Civic London party came in two cars, which included the then Sheriff of the City of London, Mr Francis McWilliams and his wife Winifred (he became Lord Mayor in 1992/3). They are all present in the picture together with John Answell, the London’s City Sword Bearer and the Mayor and Mayoress of Southwold, Mr and Mrs Hurren and Southwold Mace Bearer, Mr Howard.

We were all then entertained in the Swan Hotel for the Southwold Trinity Luncheon, hosted by the Town Mayor. Amongst the luncheon guests were my late husband, the then High Steward of Southwold, Colonel George Chadd OBE, TD, DL, JP who responded to the luncheon toast given by my brother and our mother, Lady Ruth Collett and the Lord Lieutenant of Suffolk, Sir Joshua Rowley and his wife. After that event, George and I entertained the civic party and others at our home, Mardle House, Wangford, when I was able to give the city guests a copy of my book which I had written and just had published, entitled “The High Stewards of Southwold”.

Mrs Margaret Chadd, MBE, AMIA, JP

Southwold

Re: Framlingham Grammar School swimming pool

I am writing about the photo at Framlingham Grammar School swimming pool.

I’m sure it’s my son, David Frost, as he was there at that time. He is the second from the right at the back.

Myrtle Partridge,

Stowmarket

The man in wellies on the right of the picture is my husband David Boon. He was the digger driver and worked for Ingram Smiths builders of Woodbridge.

Janet Boon,

Loudham Lane,

Ufford

Re: May Queen, Capel St Mary

It was lovely to see the photograph of The Capel St Mary May Queen.

The little girl in the centre is my daughter-in-law, Alice Gooderham (nee Loughton), accompanied by Sian Blurton and Caroline Webb.

This picture was taken at a Saturday morning disco in March 1983.

Carole Gooderem,

Rattlesden

Re: Grundisburgh Bowls Players

I was most interested in the photograph (May 1992) of the bowls players at Grundisburgh. This brought back memories.

The five people are (from right): Charlie Jessop, club chairman; Reg Loveridge, Suffolk County BA president (deceased); John Woolard, club secretary/treasurer (deceased); Donald Catchpole, Suffolk County BA chairman; Bill Kemp, Otley Bowls Club secretary.

I remembered the photograph but had to do some research mainly through our county secretary Paul Staff and the county executive minutes of 1991/2.

This was all about non domestic rates for sports clubs which had been reviewed and if implemented would have been the death knell of many bowls and other sports clubs. Suffolk Coastal Council was, if I remember, the most insistent that this should be paid. The local MP Mr John Gummer, the National English Bowling Federation and various other bodies were also involved.

The Grundisburgh Bowls Club decided to make a stand and refuse to pay the rates and were summoned to appear in court. John Woolard represented the club and the other four of us went in support.

Unfortunately I cannot remember the actual outcome of the case but in the end there was a review of the national rating system for all sports clubs and most received a 90 to 100% rebate, and all lived happily ever after?

Donald (Don) Catchpole,

Rowan Way,

Worlingham,

Beccles

Re: Sponsored knit-in, Combs 1984

I was reading my EADT when I reached Flashback - Magic Memories and there was my darling wife, Mary, of 57 years smiling at me. She passed away in December 2012.

She is the second lady from the top left and the lady below her is Mrs Pauline Hayward, also of Stowmarket.

I don’t know the other ladies.

Mr P Dade,

Baldwin Road,

Stowmarket.

Re: Big get-together

This photo shows the family reunion of the Byford/Hempstead/Pearman families of Glemsford. This came about after Mrs Rita Burgess wrote to the EADT asking for information for her family tree. She believed she was descended from my great great uncle, William Byford, of Court Farm, Glemsford, but later research suggested that was not the case. However, because we had exchanged many letters during the research it was decided all the families should meet up.

The photo shows Mrs Burgess on the left at the front together with Winifred Wilson, the oldest member of the family who is holding Simon, the youngest member. On the right is Canon David Byford who took the service in St Mary’s Church in Glemsford.

Re: Suffolk mare “Bounce”

William Byford showed his Suffolk mare “Bounce” at the Royal Show at Windsor in 1889 and won the Queen’s Gold Medal which was presented by Queen Victoria.

I have happy memories of the family reunion. It was great fun meeting members from other branches of our family tree. We exchanged details and photographs but sadly we did not keep in touch.

Margaret Steed (nee Byford),

E-mail.

Re: Stowmarket Christmas Market

The picture shown at Stowmarket Christmas Market is of my uncle Jim Wilby, as he was judge on the December Thursday Christmas Market Day.

He used to be a butcher at Dickleburgh and also a farmer.

John Mason,

Oulton Broad,

Lowestoft.