A heritage event proved very emotional for one woman – who returned to a family home this weekend for the first time in more than 30 years.

Denise Clayton, who lives in Trimley, went to the Framlingham heritage open day to visit her grandparents’ former home, Castle Cottage in 7 Castle Street.

Her grandparents Ernest and Mary Chambers moved into the house – which has some rather unique decoration on the walls – in the mid-1930s and lived there until they sold the house in the early 1980s.

When she arrived at the house on Saturday, which is now owned by Judith Lockie, she found that unusual and distinctive artwork created by a mystery painter was still present and had been uncovered.

On returning to the house, Mrs Clayton said: “It was very weird, but a nice weird as it was a childhood home to me.

“I had only seen one wall as a child. I was interested to see all the walls.

“I have got a vague memory of a wall with a picture on it.

“The only thing I have ever heard was that was a prisoner of war who painted the pictures. The other story was it was a amateur painter living in the house.

“It’s all a mystery really as no one has any information going back that far. My grandmother detested them. That’s probably why the walls were wallpapered!

“I spent most of my summer holidays, Christmas holidays and Easter holidays with my grandparents.

“My sister and I were very lucky as children because we could go up and onto the Castle Meadow and we used to play in the grounds of the castle.

“Castle Cottage was also the family home for my father.”

Her father, William, known locally as Bill, was born in the mid-1930s, at around the same time his parents moved into the house.

Reproductions of the paintings are also on show in the museum at Framlingham Castle.

Mrs Clayton said: “For years I have been going across and going to the castle museum.

“It’s an indescribable feeling seeing the painting and going back to the family home.

“I just feel really blessed I was able to go in.

“It’s a shame my grandparents aren’t here to see it, especially my grandmother.

“She would have liked to go back. She still wouldn’t have liked the paintings, though! The visit ended up being quite emotional. It got me thinking about when we were kids, Christmases and get-togethers.

“I’m so pleased and so happy Judith allowed the house to be opened. I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.”