April 2008 - Village Voices

Village Voices 

The local magazine for Hollesley, Boyton, Capel and Shingle Street 30p 

Dear friends, 

IN THIS APRIL ISSUE 

April 2008 

The photo shows the 

first presentation of 

£100 we were 

delighted to make as 

announced in last 

month’s issue. See 

photos of the other 

four recipients 

scattered throughout 

this issue of Village 

Voices, pages 5, 8, 15 

and 17. As usual there 

is lots to read and 

interest you all. We 

had so many letters Sue Stagg presenting a cheque for £100 from Village Voices to 

this time that we had to 

Lois and Janice at Hollesley Pre-School 

keep some back for May. It is really encouraging for the team to know that our readers 

want to contribute to the news we bring you month by month. 

Next month Rob Claxton will be your editor and we will take turns to share the load 

during the year. Any contributions can still be sent to me or dropped through the letter 

box as usual by those who do not have email. 

Helen Macleod (Editor) 

Stories in pictures p. 4 

Hollesley School 

trumpets p. 4, 5 

Shingle Street 

100 years ago p. 10,11 

Your letters p. 20, 21 

Suffolk Punch Trust p.32 

CONTACT US 

EDITOR: Helen Macleod, Colyton, 

The Street, Hollesley IP12 3QU 

Tel: 01394 411232 

E-mail: editor@villagevoices.org.uk 

ADVERTISING: Mike Adams 

Tel: 01394 411422 

E-mail: mja@sandlings.co.uk

Local Contacts 

Hollesley Village Hall Bookings Christine Gillespie 411562 

Boyton Village Hall Bookings Val Murray 410117 

Hollesley School Lynne Wright (Headteacher) 411616 

Welcome Club Marion Collins 411262 

Hollesley Womens Institute Joan Croome 411348 

Mothers Union Pat Fleetwood 410409 

Hollesley Players Sharon Culley 01728 688446 

Whist Drives Jill Cocksedge 411108 

Hollesley Bowls Club Roy Winchester 411564 

Indoor Bowls Nigel Smith 411549 

Phantom Archers Robin & Karrie Langdon 412114 

Youth Club Vanessa Bishop 412080 

Hollesley Badminton Club Chris Andrews 411126 

Junior Soccer Dave Ward 411651 

Judo Club Julie Jollife 410483 

1 st Sutton Brownies Sonja Patterson 420576 

Hollesley Playgroup Noelle Gore 411032 

Hollesley Mother and Toddler Rachael Thorp 410460 

Marine Life Rescue Head Office 01825 765546 

Hollesley Parish Council Dennis Driver (Chairman) 411707 

Noelle Gore (Clerk) 411032 

Boyton Parish Council Keith Lilley (Chairman) 411409 

Alan Hall (Clerk) 411432 

District Councillor Rhona Sturrock 411082 

County Councillor Rosie Clarke 412178 

Thames Coastguard 01255 673228 

Community Police Officer PC Andy Warne 01473 613500 

Hollesley Commons Nick Mason 411150 

Community Car Service Janet Gardiner 01473 630866 

April 2008 page 2 www.villagevoices.org.uk

Notes from New Hollesley owners with Woodbridge big plans School 

Parish Council Swing Band Concert 

6th March 

Two of the most 

charismatic buildings in 

our area are now in the 

Churches were built to the glory of God, 

enthusiastic ownership 

Barry Towler, Emergency Planning 

of Tammy Madge and 

Officer gave a report on the most recent 

her partner Michael 

storm that hit the area over 1st – 2nd 

Chittenden. 

March. Trees had been blown over, in 

and those builders of the past must have 

had a great deal of knowledge about design 

as so many of the churches have excellent 

acoustics. 

particular at Oak Hill where they had gone 

Woodhall Manor on the 

The church was a perfect sound box for the 

through power lines resulting in power 

outskirts of Shottisham 

young people of Woodbridge School 

failure for 36 hours affecting around 100 

is currently receiving a 

Swing Band to show off their skills in 

homes. EDF were asked for generators, 

thorough renovation, 

solos and in the group. This was really 

but these were only available from the 

which will be completed 

brought home at the concert held at 

north of England! Following this incident 

in early spring. The 

Hollesley Church. At one stage the bass 

Barry is looking into several issues and 

ancient and very elegant 

guitar player was tuning up at the front and 

will report back to the PC. 

manor house is 

Woodhall we Manor at the is back well over literally 400 felt years the old air vibrating 

Elizabethan, and was built in 1566 on the on panelling,) those deep the low Nelson notes, Room a wonderful (views of 

Travellers – It was reported that 31 sites 

site of a much older Saxon manor. It was effect. the lake and gardens,) or the Tapestry 

need to be found for travellers in this area 

completely restored in 1903. 

with sites requiring a piece of land with The 

Room, 

musical 

which 

feast 

is 

of 

equipped 

swing, 

with 

jazz, 

plasma 

blues and 

water. Travellers will pay Council Tax and rock 

TV, 

music 

home 

brought 

cinema 

the 

and 

whole 

all the 

building 

latest in 

Tammy, who is almost new to Suffolk, 

be required to keep the site clean and tidy. alive. 

home 

The 

entertainment. 

music brought 

The 

back 

Banqueting 

memories of 

and Michael (who went to Farlingaye 

our 

Suite 

courting 

is located 

days 

in 

(which, 

the adjacent 

for some, 

Country 

were 

school) have also bought the much-loved 

Police – No crimes to report this month. quite 

Club, 

a number 

and can 

of 

accommodate 

years ago). From 

120 diners. 

Sorrel Horse pub in Shottisham. Vital 

Two escapees from Hollesley Bay. Ellington 

There are 

and 

a dozen 

Sweeney, 

luxury, 

Wyche 

en-suite 

and 

improvements have been made, and the 

Trouble with motor bikes on the Heath. Rodgers 

bedrooms. 

and Ellis and Shepherd, it was a 

pub is now successfully run by full-time 

programme to get people’s feet tapping. 

chef Tom Fox and his partner Frankie. 

Annual Parish The 

The 

saxophones, 

Elizabethan 

trumpets, 

house and 

trombones, 

the ancient 

horn, 

thatched 

clarinets, 

pub are 

piano, 

integrated 

guitar, double 

parts of 

bass 

Woodhall Meeting Manor was Thursday 

a private home up 

and 

Tammy 

drums 

and 

directed 

Michaels’s 

by Paul 

business 

Shepherd 

plan, 

were 

until April 2007 after being a hotel for 

April 17th 7.30pm played 

and will 

bya 

complement 

group of young 

each 

people 

other: 

who 

guests 

had 

fifteen years. In its latest reincarnation it 

practiced 

at the house 

hard 

can 

and 

enjoy 

achieved 

meals 

something 

at the Sorrel 

will Hollesley again be a private Village home, but with Hall a 

about 

Horse, 

which 

and 

they 

also 

can 

the fine 

be very 

walks 

proud. 

along the 

big difference. It will host weddings, Deben, as well as Sutton Hoo, Snape 

charity Village events, residents balls, are invited lavish birthday to hear the Maltings Thank and other you to local all of attractions. them. 

parties annual and reports business from Parish conferences, Councillors, and it 

will Police, also Prison be a superb, Governor historical and various site that 

will organizations excite film on directors all matters searching which affect for an 

authentic the community. location The for Parish their latest Council period invite 

productions. members of the public to voice their 

Thanks Village also Voices to all readers those who may worked feel to 

make reassured the evening that the a success manor house, by raising gardens 

funds and adjacent of about £600. farmland, We hope together to arrange with the 

another iconic concert Sorrel Horse next year. pub are in thoughtful 

concerns or appreciation about local 

Guests issues. at events and conferences will use 

and caring hands. 

(See colour photo p.4) 

the Bishops Room, (ornate ceiling, oak 

Come and have your say! 

Laurie Forsyth 

Malcolm Fleetwood 

www.villagevoices.org.uk April 2008 page 35 3 

Photo Supplied

Storm damage at 

Moorlands, 

(Robert Sudbury) 

Stories in pictures 

Woodbridge 

School Swing Band 

at Hollesley Church 

(Fred Stentiford) 

see p.35 

Hollesley WI at Gt Blakenham Recycling Centre 

(Gaye Glading) see p. 34 


YOUTH TALK 

£100 cheque from Village Voices 

being received by the Youth Club 


Donation 

Many thanks to Village Voices for 

their kind donation of £100 for 

the Youth Club. It is very much 

appreciated and will go towards 

a new PS2 and some outside 

equipment for when the 

days get longer. 

Sports Relief 

On a wet and cold Sunday morning some intrepid runners/walkers set 

off on their Sports Relief Challenges. Most were running 3 miles but 

we did have some hardy souls doing the whole 6 miles, congratulations 

to everyone who took part. If anyone has any more photos please send 

them in. The Youth Club also donated the subs for the last session 

before Easter towards Sports Relief. 

www.villagevoices.org.uk April 2008 page 5

Hollesley School fantastic trumpets 

Friday 7th March… 

Tomorrow year 5, 6 will be playing their 

fantastic trumpets at the famous Snape 

Maltings! We have been working very 

hard and our trumpet teacher is very 

proud of us. We have been doing 

complete practices of the performance 

every day and are still doing an hours’ 

work with our teacher on Friday. 

Everyone is looking forward to Saturday 

and most of us will probably be sweating 

in bed tonight! The sad thing is that we 

only have the short space of eight 

minutes to play our well known tunes. 

At the very end of the performances all 

of the schools that come tomorrow will 

sing a final song. We have recently had a 

lady in called Detta to teach us the song, 

and we think we all know the words 

(well most of them!) A few weeks ago 

she came in with two of her friends, who 

are also musicians; they came with a big 

cello and a loud, electric, base guitar. It 

helped to have the music played whilst 

we were singing. We now know a small 

fraction of what Snape will be like but 

we have a feeling that it will be much, 

much scarier! But we all look forward to 

playing there! 

Saturday 8th March,The 

Big Day… 

Everyone was looking forward to 

performing in the concert hall and some 

of us described how we felt: ‘we are 

happily, nervously, excited!’ 

Everyone arrived bang on time and we 

all headed to our dressing room. It was 

really cramped and was a tight squeeze 

to fit everyone into the room with our 

luggage and trumpets. After a while a 

member of staff came in to tell us that it 

was our turn to do our rehearsal with our 

trumpets. Some of us couldn’t wait but 

others were really nervous even though it 

was only the rehearsal. After lunch we 

went for a walk to Iken but the footpath 

was closed so we played some games 

instead. 

Finally the performance came. There 

were eight schools performing in the 

concert and we found out that we were 

second from last. Just before we went 

onto the stage we had a few tears in the 

dressing room. Everyone walked on and 

we got the introduction from the piano 

and then we all started to play. When we 

were on our final song, ‘The Saints Go 

Marching In,’ the audience started 

clapping loudly along to it. Then we 

finished all the solos and forgot to walk 

off stage! Our Head teacher Mrs Wright 

was very pleased with us and we have 

already had some letters and phone calls 

from people saying how good we were. 

That really was an exciting night! 

School Reporters Kathryn Venediger 

and Simon Coates 


A Celebration of Schools Music 2008 

Now in its 21st year, A Celebration of 

Schools’ Music is the result of a unique 

and productive partnership between 

Aldeburgh Music and Suffolk County 

Council. The week-long Celebration 2008 

at Snape Maltings has seen over 1,500 

Suffolk young people taking part, from 

primary, middle, secondary and special 

schools. I was very fortunate to have been 

invited by Years 5 and 6 Hollesley School 

Council to attend the last night 

performance and join with families and 

friends in the 800-strong audience to 

support the 19 young trumpeters who 

appeared on this world-famous stage. 

Eight schools thrilled us with their varied 

presentations ranging from singing, poetry, 

to music and jazz. 

We had to wait until after the interval for 

our trumpeters’ performance – and it was 

certainly worth it! We were treated to a 

wonderfully varied programme and the 

large audience enthusiastically clapped in 

time to the excellent version of ‘When the 

Saints Go Marching In’. When asked by 

the presenter how many of the players 

The trumpeters at Snape 

wished to continue playing the trumpet, 

nineteen hands went up. It was hard to 

believe that the Year 5 children had only 

been playing the instrument since last 

September! Several young people who 

have taken part over the years in these 

Schools’ Music productions have gone on 

to study music in conservatoires, and to 

perform or teach music. Perhaps some of 

our Hollesley trumpeters might follow 

those paths; whether or not they do, let us 

hope that they continue to enjoy their 

music and bring pleasure to so many 

people. To quote from the Celebration 

2008 programme: the presentations ‘being 

performed during the week reflect the 

wealth of talent within Suffolk schools’. 

How very true and, with the Hollesley 

School Trumpeters, we have more than our 

fair share of this talent. Congratulations 

and thank you to the trumpeters, their 

teachers and everyone at Hollesley School 

involved in this most enjoyable evening. 

Rosie Clarke Suffolk County Councillor 

(Wilford Division) 

www.villagevoices.org.uk April 2008 page 7 

School Photo

From Hillside 

Presentation from Village Voices of £100 

for the Church to Revd. Judith Andrews 

The work of our churches and our 

glorious church buildings are enjoyed 

and used by all of us for worship and 

celebrations of all kinds. We are grateful 

for the cheque for £100 from Village 

Voices which has been given to support 

this ongoing work. 

In addition the church needs to raise 

some funds to help with the urgent 

maintenance on the tower. Please come 

and support us or send some goodies. 

There will be several events in Hollesley. 

Coffee Morning 

12 Parson’s Hill, 

by kind invitation of 

Priscilla St. Leger. 

10.30 to 12 noon 

Saturday 12th April 

Bring and Buy, Plants, 

Raffle, Cakes, Books, Toys, Handicrafts 

Coffee and biscuits. 

Photos: Laurie Forsyth 

Live music at Hollesley Village Hall 

Saturday 19th April 

Doors open 7.30pm 

Local Youth band ‘Blakk Interior’ 

Followed by 

The Gordon Bennett Band 

Refreshments. Bring your own drinks 

and glasses. 

Tickets before the night £5 

(£2 students) 

From Di 411079 or Rachel 411976 

On door £6/£2.50 

Proceeds to Hollesley Church 

Flower Festival. 

May Day weekend – 3rd, 4th 5th May. 

Theme: ‘Wedding Anniversaries’ 

Church open 10.30 – 5pm daily with 

refreshments served. 

Les Andrews has calculated that there is 

room for 26 anniversary arrangements. 

He needs your help, or you may be able 

to represent an anniversary. It might be 

that you would like to donate the flowers 

or some money in memory of a person 

or an event. Les would happily arrange 

the flowers for you. Tel. 411642 

During that weekend the church will be 

open for viewing from 10.30 until 5.00 

each day. Refreshments will be served 

during the day. 

Summer Fete June 28th 

More details soon 

Jesus said, ‘Whatever you do for your 

brothers and sisters you are doing for 

me’. We are all called to serve. Many of 

us will need the church building during 

our lives, so this is your chance to 

support and encourage the team on the 

PCC. Your friend Judith 


DATES FOR YOUR DIARY 

19TH DATES FOR YOUR DIARY 

19 

APRIL 

RETURN OF THE 

GORDON BENNETT BAND 

TH APRIL 

RETURN OF THE 

GORDON BENNETT BAND 

HOLLESLEY VILLAGE HALL 

28TH Vacancy 

The Peninsula clergy will reduce from 4 

to 3.5 and will now divide as follows: 

Orford Cluster: Orford, Chillesford, 

Butley, Sudbourne and Iken with Revd 

David Murdoch living in Orford. 

Rendlesham Cluster: Rendlesham, 

Eyke, Wantisden and Tunstall with Revd 

Colin Macdonald living in Rendlesham. 

Hollesley Cluster: Hollesley, Boyton, 

Ramsholt, Bawdsey and Ramsholt with a 

full time Vicar to be appointed and living 

in Hollesley. JUNE 

Shottisham Cluster: SUMMER Shottisham, FETE Sutton 

and Bromeswell with a half time Vicar to 



be appointed and living in Shottisham. 

This leaves the Eyke Rectory to be sold 

to acquire the Rectory in Hollesley. 

This is really exciting, as our cluster has 

been made smaller and will enable the 

new person appointed more time to 

Church Contacts 

spend in each parish. Also we will have 

Team the privilege Rector: and joy of a Vicar living in 

Revd the village. David Murdoch, 01394 Judith 

450336 

Church Contacts 

Assistant Vicar: 

Revd Judith Andrews, 01394 411642 

Team Rector: 

Hollesley Revd David Churchwardens: 

Murdoch, 01394 450336 

Fred Stentiford, 01394 411469 

Joan Assistant Butcher, Vicar: 01394 411689 

Revd Judith Andrews, 01394 411642 

Boyton Churchwardens: 

Malcolm Hollesley Fleetwood, Churchwardens: 01394 410409 

Isobel Fred Stentiford, Lilley, 01394 01394 411409 411469 

Joan Butcher, 01394 411689 

Tower Captain: 

Alan Boyton McBurnie, Churchwardens: 01394 411517 

Malcolm Fleetwood, 01394 410409 

Organist: Isobel Lilley, 01394 411409 

Giles Bradley, 01394 411124 

WEEKDAY SERVICES 

Wednesday 

12pm Sutton 

1st Thursday 

3pm Glebe House, Hollesley, Evensong 

3rd Thursday 

10.30am Glebe House, Holy Communion 

4th Friday 

2pm Mary Warner Homes, Communion 

2nd Thursday 7.30pm 

Colyton, Hollesley, Prayer Group 

Day Boyton Hollesley Other Places 

3rd February 11.00 PF 9.30 JA 

9.30 Alderton 

All Age Worship Communion 11.00 Sutton, Bawdsey 

Christingle 

6.30 Shottisham 

6th February 

6.30 JA 

Ash 

Service at All Saints’, Hollesley 

Wednesday For the beginning of Lent and the Imposition of Ashes 

10th February 9.30 LC 

9.30 Alderton 

Morning Praise 11.00 Ramsholt, 4.30 Sutton 

17th 28 

Tower Captain: 

Alan McBurnie, 01394 411517 

Organist: 

Giles Bradley, 01394 411124 

February 11.00 DM 9.30 DM 9.30 Sutton 

TH WEEKDAY SERVICES 

JUNE 

Wednesday 

SUMMER FETE 

HOLLESLEY 12pm VILLAGE Sutton HALL 

1 


st Thursday 

3pm Glebe House, Hollesley, Evensong 

3rd Thursday 

10.30am Glebe House, Holy Communion 

4th Friday 

2pm Mary Warner Homes, Communion 

2nd Thursday 7.30pm 

Colyton, Hollesley, Prayer Group 


3rd February 11.00 PF 9.30 JA 

9.30 Alderton 

All Age Worship Communion 11.00 Sutton, Bawdsey 

Christingle 


6th February 

6.30 JA 

Ash 

Service at All Saints’, Hollesley 

Wednesday For the beginning of Lent and the Imposition of Ashes 

10th February 9.30 LC 

9.30 Alderton 

Morning Praise 11.00 Ramsholt, 4.30 Sutton 

17th February 11.00 DM 9.30 DM 

9.30 Sutton 

Communion Family Communion 11.00 Alderton 

with Sunday Club 

24th Church Services April 2008 


6th April 11.0 LC 9.30 MHS 9.30 Alderton, Bromeswell 

All Age Worship Communion 11.00 Sutton 

Christingle 6.30 Shottisham 

13th April 9.30 LC 9.30 Alderton, Bromeswell 

Morning Praise 11.00 Ramsholt, Bawdsey, 

Shottisham 

6.30 Sutton 

20th April 11.00 MHS 9.30 JA 9.30 Sutton, Bromeswell 

Communion Family Communion with 11.00 Alderton, 

Sunday Club 

27th April 9.30 JA 9.30 Shottisham 

Communion 11.00 Bawdsey, Ramsholt, Sutton, 

Bromeswell 

Ministers: JA Revd Judith Andrews MHS Revd Michael Hamilton Sharp 

February LC Lydia Calvesbert (Reader) 9.30 DP 


Communion 11.00 Bawdsey, Ramsholt,

Shingle Street a hundred years ago 

My grandparents’ life at Shingle Street 

was so different from anything we know 

today. Fresh food and hard work were 

plentiful, but cash was short in the 

home-made wooden cottages, clinkerbuilt 

like the boats. The day started early 

when one of the boys would set out to 

Oxley Dairy for the cottagers’ milk. In 

1929 my Uncle George was earning 1/- a 

week for his milk round, (about 6p). He 

was 11 years old and probably did the 

round on his brother’s old push-bike 

wearing home-made wooden clogs. 

Depending on the season he would stop 

on the way home to collect birds’ eggs or 

mushrooms for breakfast. There might be 

traps to check for rabbits or hares, and 

bits of wood to pick up for the fire in the 

kitchen range where all the food was 

cooked. 

The heavy, cumbersome old bike was the 

real difference between him and the boy 

Three sailors outside a house at Shingle Street 

who had done the milk-round at the 

beginning of the century. There had been 

no bikes for the children then, and they 

had walked to Hollesley School. 

Almost everything was heavy and hard 

to handle. Hollesley Bay was alive with 

fish and every house had a winch and a 

boat on the beach, but shifting those 

boats required some strength. Some of 

the men had turned worn out hulls upside 

down to serve as smoke houses or 

workshops; others had built wooden huts 

for the purpose. If the breakers were too 

strong the men were unable to launch the 

boats, but there could still be fresh fish 

or lobsters stored in wooden crates kept 

in the ponds. There were two ponds 

between the houses and the sea and you 

could row a boat on them. A boy had 

drowned in one of those ponds. 

Shinglestreeters did not fish out of sight 

of the beach. They didn’t need to – all 

April 2008 page 10 www.villagevoices.org.uk 

Photos supplied

they needed could be caught within 

hailing distance of the shingle. There 

would be enough left over to sell to 

summer visitors at the Mansion or to the 

Coastguards or customers at the Lifeboat 

Inn. It was not commercial fishing as 

they were too far from the market. How 

far did a man want to push a heavy 

wooden cart over rough roads? But they 

ate well and they could count on a little 

cash and a lot of satisfaction. 

My Grandfather used to push his handcart 

to Hollesley laden with fresh fruit 

and vegetables from ‘the gardens’. From 

Hollesley the carrier drove the produce to 

the station in Woodbridge where it was 

put on a train to London, to the home of 

the folk who owned the Mansion. Those 

gardens produced huge quantities of food 

which the women bottled and pickled, 

preserved and stored, to see them through 

the winter months. They could grow 

luxury produce without greenhouses and 

they had enough left over to sell here and 

there. 

Poultry rearing was women’s work. A 

hen who ate her own eggs was quickly 

singled out for the pot! The eggs of a 

duck, goose, turkey or guinea fowl too 

impatient to sit were tracked down and 

set under a reliable hen. Aunt Gladys had 

a couple of favoured birds who insisted 

on laying on the roof of the boat house, 

but they were good layers, so Glad could 

be seen every day climbing the ladder to 

the guttering. She took the ladder away 

every night because fox was crafty and 

would have climbed to get those eggs 

before she did. 

Every home had a gun, a bird bag and 

a gun dog. Winter meant a full pantry of 

hanging fowl for the women, and good 

sport for man and dog. They prized 

Labrador-retrievers and many a tale was 

spun round the feats and obedience of 

those dogs. 

Work was long, hard and physical, 

indoors and out, and it took a man and 

wife working together to raise and 

support a family. But Shinglestreeters 

didn’t move away unless they were 

forced to do so, and then they moved 

back again at the first opportunity. 

My thanks to Nina Harris for continuing 

the tales my father used to tell me. 

Sarah Margittai (formerly known as 

Christine Burwood) 

Jim, Sarah’s father aged about 14 

in his new sailor’s uniform 

From Shingle Street Coas 




Coastguard 

Shingle Street Coastguard Bert Ellis 

in his Coastguard’s uniform 

many years ago 

Hi once again! There have been no 

callouts this past month despite the 

stormy weather we have encountered. 

Since last month we have all had to take 

a medical to see if we were fit enough to 

do the job. Quite a few of us had to be 

stood down for a few days because of 

high blood pressure, but at the time of 

writing only one of us is unable to 

operate. It has been a different story at 

Aldeburgh where only two of their 

company passed and at the moment we 

are covering the Aldeburgh patch with 

Southwold. 

In addition our full time colleagues have 

been on a 24 hour strike because of the 

very low wages that they receive. I don’t 

Photo supplied 

really believe in strikes, but in this 

instance I think they have a valid point as 

they are way behind the other emergency 

services. If the MCA does not pay a 

decent wage they will find that new 

people will not join, especially as the job 

has a lot of responsibility. 

That’s it for now. Until next time, safe 

passage. 

Roy Clark 

Ebb and Flow Project 

Recently a lady called Jackie Smith came 

into our class to talk to us about a new 

project that only a few schools will be 

involved in. She talked to us about the 

rivers and the tide. We also talked about 

out experiences in a boat or ship or just 

generally being around water. 

We did orienteering in pairs outside; 

basically we had to start at a place either 

on the playground or the field. Each pair 

had a compass to find six letters in the 

school grounds which Mrs Smith had set 

up the day before. Some pairs got 

completely lost (we’re not mentioning 

any names) but others were naturals! 

Next we made our own compasses on 

paper plates. We could either choose a 3d 

design or a really colourful one. 

Everyone really enjoyed it! 

Now we are looking forward to a trip to 

Shingle Street and Orford to look at the 

rivers. 

School Reporters Kathryn Venediger 

and Simon Coates 



£100 Cheque for Hollesley School 

Debbie Pipe presenting the cheque given by Village Voices 

to members of the School Council 

Oak Hill Residents 

Association 

AGM Tuesday 8th April 

8.30pm Oak Hill Social Club 

The Oak Hill Residents Association was 

set up in 1998. Its aims are: 

1. to gather information 

2. provide a network of 

communication 

3. arrange meetings 

4. make links with other authorities 

5. provide residents with information 

We look forward to seeing you on 8th 

April 

Grant Smith 411139 

Mary Warner Homes 

Recently refurbished 

2 cottages are available for rent at 

£51.30 per week, including TV license 

and water rates. 

If you are over 60 and would like further 

information or to view the properties 

contact Julie 411234 

Bawdsey Spring 

Bank Holiday Fete 

and Fun Dog Show 

Monday 26th May 2pm – 4pm 

Bawdsey Recreation Ground 

Come and enjoy…..Teas and cakes. 

BBQ. Fun Dog Show. Miniature train 

rides. Grand Draw. Punch and Judy. Lots 

of stalls and games, mostly under cover. 

Proceeds towards maintaining Bawdsey 

Village Hall and Recreation Ground 

Beryl Hare Secretary 0771 434 3348 


School Photo

Leek and Potato Pies 

For 2 persons 

6oz small potatoes, scrubbed 

2 medium leeks, washed and sliced 

1 /2 tub of crème fraiche or sour cream 

20z of cheddar cheese or goats cheese 

Pinch of nutmeg 

Chopped parsley 

1 /3 pack of ready rolled puff pastry 

Preheat the oven to 200ºC gas mark 6 

Halve the potatoes and boil until tender. 

Drain and cool. Slice. 

Boil leeks for 5 minutes, drain and cool. 

Place a baking tray in the oven. 

When the potatoes and leeks have cooled, 

put in a bowl, add the crème fraiche, 

parsley and grated cheddar or chopped 

goats cheese. Mix together, then season 

with salt, pepper and nutmeg. 

Cut 2 pieces of puff pastry approx 5" 

square and roll out slightly thinner to 

make a 7" square. Divide the leek and 

potato mixture between the two. Draw up 

the puff pastry, pinching it together to 

enclose the mixture, leaving it open at the 

top. 

Put on a piece of greased kitchen foil and 

place on the heated baking tray. 

Cook for approx 20 minutes or until the 

pastry is brown and the cheese melting. 

Pauline Austerfield 

Thanks from Daisy's 

family for village 

kindness 

Ann Horne, daughter of the late Daisy 

Middleditch, has been so overwhelmed by 

the affectionate sympathy and kindness of 

local people, following her mother's 

untimely death in February, that she's 

written to Village Voices to express her 

thanks. 

She writes: 'First of all, my thanks to 

Roger, my husband, who has been my rock 

through all of this. Roger and I would like 

to thank everyone who sent cards and who 

attended Mum's funeral on Friday 22nd 

February. The large congregation was 

testament to how well-known and wellliked 

she was and the offers of help and 

condolence were very welcome and much 

appreciated. 

'I don't think Mum's brothers and sisters - 

who came from as far as Wiltshire, 

Hampshire, Buckinghamshire and 

Berkshire for the funeral – quite realised 

how much she was liked around the village 

and the surrounding areas. A neighbour 

described Mum as 'the angel of the village' 

and I don't think she was far wrong. 

'I would like to extend my family's thanks 

for what people have done to help Roger 

and myself. I'm especially grateful to 

Angie and John Mills, who were there for 

both of us during the first few days and 

weeks after Mum died. The kindnesses of 

local people have shown us how much 

Mum will be missed by friends, neighbours 

and her elderly clients.' Ann Horne 

Editorial error: 

Daisy was born in Horton, not Holton as 

stated in March Village Voices. 

Apologies from the Editor. 


Past Times 

Rose Bachelor, age 17 in her uniform 

as a Land Girl 

Last month, in Past Times 

Village Voices invited former 

Land Girls and Lumber Jills to 

get in touch with us and fill in 

their forms to apply for the longdeserved 

Veterans Badge which 

is to be issued in recognition for 

their service in WW2. We have 5 

applicants so far: Eileen 

Middleditch, Ena Emmens, Maud 

Potter, Jane Graham and Rose 

Bachelor. If you think you might 

qualify, I have some more forms 

available. Rose Bachelor from 

Mary Warner Homes told me 

about her work as a Land Girl all 

over Hampshire from 1942 to 1945. ‘I 

lived in a hostel in Alton with 28 other 

girls from London, and 4 from Yorkshire. 

I was glad to escape from the bombs in 

London. It was a frightening time, but an 

exciting time. All of us were doing farm 

work and for the first 6 months I looked 

after pigs and chickens. 

Then I went with others in parties of 6 to 

work on a threshing machine. Sheaves of 

corn were gathered together and passed 

up to me as I stood at the very top of the 

machine for the grain to be separated 

from the husk. The grain was stored in 

barns which were full of rats. We were 

paid 38/- per week (just under £2) and an 

extra 1d (1/2p) for every rat’s tail we 

gave in! It wasn’t very much money as 

we had to give up £1 for our keep at the 

hostel. We wore dungarees for work and 

Army boots. When we went into the 

town we wore the proper uniform with 

collar and tie and coat. The badge I am 

wearing was given by my Canadian 

boyfriend in the army’. 

Thank you Rose for your fascinating 

account of life as a Land Girl. (Editor) 

£100 to help 

Hollesley Bells 

Presentation for Hollesley bells to Peter 

Harper by Mike Adams on behalf of 

Village Voices. 

The Bells Appeal Committee are 

planning some fun events to raise more 

money. Watch this space! 


Fred Stentiford



Your letters – Lots of letters this month! 

Dear Editor, 

I would like to ask, “Have you 

seen this bird?” 

Roy with the tame jackdaw 

On Thursday 6th March my 

husband, Roy, came in from the garden 

and excitedly beckoned me to follow 

him outside for a minute! ‘Listen,’ he 

said. I could hear what sounded like 

someone whistling. ‘Come and see my 

bird.’ With a little encouragement this 

black bird fluttered up and perched on 

Roy’s shoulder. He told me it was a 

jackdaw and whilst he was busy 

gardening it followed him around, going 

in and out of the garden shed and sitting 

on the low fence of the vegetable plot 

watching and whistling. 

The next afternoon it returned 

so I quickly got my camera and as soon 

as Roy went outside it flew on to his 

shoulder. I took the photograph and I 

suppose the camera attracted the jackdaw 

and it fluttered towards me. I wasn’t 

very happy having this flapping bird on 

my shoulder, but Roy took the camera 

intending to take another shot. In a trice 

the bird took a great peck at my ear. It 

had grabbed my gold earring and then 

flown on to the hedge. 

We saw the gold glinting in the 

sunlight. It then had the cheek to fly 

down on to the lawn and strut about just 

out of reach as if to taunt, ‘Ha, ha you 

can’t catch me!’ Then it flew off and we 

haven’t seen it since. 

Have you seen this tame, whistling 

jewellery thief? 

Marian Collins. Parsons Hill 

Dear Editor, 

Daisy Middleditch was our kind and 

friendly neighbour for ten years. Like so 

many people, we were shocked that Daisy 

died so suddenly. When Ann phoned that 

Tuesday afternoon, being next door, I was 

soon there. Apart from the oxygen mask 

Daisy looked so peaceful as if nothing 

was wrong. 

Daisy never thought of herself, 

but only of others. Sometimes our 

communication was a wave through the 

window as she was always out and about 

caring for others. But we knew she was 

there if we needed her. For instance, 

three years ago when I had an angina 

attack Daisy was there for me. She 

ensured I had a soluble aspirin which no 

doubt saved me from further trouble. 

Poppy, her cat, knew when she 

was coming home and amazingly 

appeared from nowhere, to greet her as 

she came up the path. Even now when I 

see Daisy’s car I can’t help thinking: 

‘Daisy’s home!’ Undoubtedly she was a 

true friend and neighbour who will be 

missed by all who knew her. 

John and Angie Mills. Moorlands 


Dear Editor, 

Dear O deer deer deer! 

I have just about come to the end of my 

tether, as they say. I live in the heart of 

the village, adjacent to our school, in 

four acres of what I call my nature 

reserve. I’m now in my eighties and my 

life is mainly based around my family 

and garden. 

It is now time to plough the 

field and sow the seed again, but my life 

has been turned around by deer which – 

these last few months – have completely 

devastated all our shrubs, flowers and 

vegetables and left our lawns full of 

footprints and droppings. They even 

knock our bird feeders from the trees and 

eat all the seeds and nuts. 

I cannot afford 12 foot chain 

link fencing around four acres. If our 

Common is not big enough for them, 

their next visit may be their last. 

Peter Bingham Long Acres 

Dear Editor, 

I have recently started working for the 

Suffolk Punch Trust doing voluntary 

work. I am amazed to find out that I am 

one of only two volunteers at the Trust. I 

am very interested in horses and I urge 

more people to spend a little time helping 

at the Trust. I have learnt so much in the 

little time I have been there. I think 

Tracey Pettit and Bruce Smith both 

deserve a pat on the back for all the hard 

work they do. I try to help as much as I 

can, mainly at the weekends as I am at 

Farlingaye studying for my A levels. 

I have a particular favourite 

among the horses from the ROR 

(Retraining of Racehorses) centre. He is 

a black gelding called ‘River Prince’. He 

is nicknamed ‘Crazy Horse’ by the 

inmates who work there, but I think he is 

lovely. 

Victoria Griffiths. Oak Hill 

Dear Editor, 

In the February issue of Village 

Voices you asked if anyone could tell you 

when the photograph ‘Whit Tuesday at 

Shingle Street’ was taken. The two-storey 

building on the right of the photo is the 

Lifeboat Inn, demolished courtesy of the 

MOD during WW2, whose foundations 

can still be seen. 

In the background on the left 

above the single-storey cottages you can 

see the chimney and the roof of our 

house which we believe was built in the 

early 1880’s. We do know for certain that 

it was sold at auction on 30th July 1889. 

The gathering must therefore have taken 

place before that, presumably promoted 

by the pub. Was this was an annual 

event? Why was it not on Whit Monday, 

the Bank Holiday? 

Juliet and Brian Johnson. 


Dear Editor, 

In answer to Derek Andrew’s letter last 

month, my father told me that Billy 

‘Don’t’ came from Sutton. His real name 

was Billy Nooker. He kept his donkey in 

a shed opposite Pine Cottages, Sutton, 

where he probably lived. 

He loved his drink at the pub. 

When he came home he felt a bit frisky 

and used to chase his wife round the 

table. She cried out, ‘Billy don’t!’ which 

is how he got his nickname! 

Eileen Middleditch. Moorlands 



Scorpions find their sting 

Casting my mind back to the halcyon 

days of late summer last year I remember 

standing on one Wednesday evening with 

the Sutton Heath Under 9’s team trying to 

motivate them for the forthcoming 

season… time to adopt the Churchill 

approach! 2006/7 had been a learning 

season, we had got beaten a lot of times 

and we had only amassed three points 

between both the A and the B team. We 

had been everyone’s favourite team to 

play. But 2007/8 was going to be different. 

We were not going to finish bottom, we 

were going to be competitive, and we were 

going to pick up more points! 

The little faces looked up at me with 

that “oh no he’s off on one again” look. 

Yes I know all you parents reading this 

know this look but believe me when a 

dozen faces look at you that way it hurts! 

Anyway something snapped and it just 

came out – ‘Right you lot, I know you will 

be better so here’s a challenge for you. 

When we reach ten points it will be a trip 

to Burger King, get to twenty points and it 

will be Pizza Hut, thirty points will be a 

mystery prize!’ Still no reaction other than 

a few muted mumbles about not liking 

pizzas! 

Anyway the 2007/8 season got 

underway and performances began to 

improve; we won against Whitton Utd (A 

team) and SKY (B team). 6 points were in 

the bag and all of a sudden minds began to 

focus on the job. We gave the league 

leaders a good run for their money, and 

were proving competitive in every game. 

Teams started taking us more seriously. In 

November we came up against a good 

Hadleigh side who threw everything bar 

the kitchen sink at us and earned a 0 – 0 

draw (A team) The B team had one 

thought in mind …BURGERS! 40 

minutes and 3 goals later the trip to Burger 

King was secured! 

In December both the A and B side 

turned in outstanding performances 

at Whitton Utd to secure two great 

wins; 16 points and the team’s mantra 

became “pizza” overnight! In January we 

met Martlesham, a league 1 side, in the cup 

mini-league and beat them in both games. 

“6 more points” cried a jubilant team - 

time to “clarify” the rules was the 

impoverished coach’s riposte…only 

league points would count! In early 

February when both teams turned in two 

more fine displays to beat Kirton Kestrels 

A & B. 22 points were achieved, the pizza 

secured and sights firmly set on the next 

prize! 

At the time of writing the team has 

turned in another fine display at SKY and 

secured another 6 points. The trainee 

server at Burger King, Ransomes Europark 

is still in rehabilitation after we descended 

upon their premises one Saturday morning 

and Pizza Hut, Ransomes Europark is 

embarking upon a refurbishment exercise 

to install a soundproof room! 

In between all of this the B team got to 

the quarter-final of the cup before losing to 

Woodbridge and both A and B teams have 

turned in some notable displays in friendly 

matches against good sides. We still have 

some league and friendly matches to play 

so there is lots more football between now 

and the end of May. We secured the 

sponsorship of Coltec Racing Engines and 

we are very grateful to the owners, Richard 

and Selena Coles, for the smart tracksuits 

that have kept the players warm in the 

winter. Ian Coates 

SHFC U9 (Scorpions) train Wednesdays 

5.30 pm at Hollesley Village Recreation 

Ground. More details are available from 

Ian Coates Manager 411091 

Will I set a challenge for next season? 

Probably! 

Will I increase the points requirement? 

Definitely! 

Am I looking forward to next season? 

You bet! 



with Sunday Club 

24th Ministers: JA - Revd Judith Andrews PF - Pat Fleetwood (Elder) 

February DM - Revd David Murdoch 9.30 DP 

LC - Lydia Calvesbert Communion 

(Reader) 

DP - Revd 9.30 Canon Shottisham Deidre Parmenter 

11.00 Bawdsey, Ramsholt, 

www.villagevoices.org.uk Hollesley Bowling Club gets Suttonready 

February 2008 page 9 

Ministers: JA - Revd Judith Andrews 

Preparations to the bowling green are 

DM - Revd David Murdoch 

well advanced for the LCforthcoming - Lydia Calvesbert (Reader) 

outdoor bowls season, our 56th, and 

PF - Pat Fleetwood (Elder) 

associated with elderly people, whereas 

DP - Revd Canon Deidre Parmenter 

it can be played by both sexes from their 

teens until their 90’s. Television is now 

what www.villagevoices.org.uk promises to be our busiest ever. showing that top players February are invariably 2008 page 9 

The first match is away to Easton on young men and women. 

1st May so we will open the green for 

Hollesley is looking forward to a 

vital practice on Sunday 27th April, 

visit from the Youth Club very soon, as 

weather permitting. This will also be we feel sure there is hidden talent there. 

OPEN DAY where we hope to entertain We would also like to see their parents in 

and perhaps recruit those who are 

their wake, as the club needs a growing 

tempted to try their hand at this 

membership to enjoy our excellent 

enjoyable outside pursuit. The season facilities which have improved 

runs from the beginning of May to late enormously since our new pavilion was 

September, and, in addition to League built with grant assistance 12 years ago. 

and Cup competitions members can play OPEN DAY begins at 2pm on 27th 

in friendly roll-ups and in-house 

April. If you want to try your hand 

tournaments while their skill advances. please bring trainers to protect our grass. 

Many of us regret that we did not try If you want to look around you are very 

the game earlier in life, for it is a 

wonderful way to spend a summer 

welcome. 

afternoon or evening and there is also the Roy Winchester (Hon. Sec.) 

indoor game to follow in the winter 

months. Unfortunately the game is 

411564 

Palm Sunday walk through Hollesley 


Laurie Forsyth


From PC Andy Warne 

In response to your article about vehicle 

collisions with deer in the March Village 

Voices, can I remind your readers that if 

your vehicle is disabled as result of a 

collision, the police will attend and assist 

by arranging for a local recovery 

company to attend the vehicle. If the deer 

is killed, Suffolk Coastal will remove the 

carcase although there may be a charge if 

the deer has to be incinerated. 

Tel 01394 444000. 

Peter Hind, a local gamekeeper, will 

also be prepared to come and assist and 

he can be contacted on 07775 785547 or 

01394 411771. Peter has asked me to 

mention that in most cases the deer will 

have to be put down immediately but 

that he will also arrange for the removal 

of the carcase if he has to do this. 

On another subject, I would like to 

report that we now have a police station 

at Sutton Heath, which is not manned at 

all times but is convenient for meeting 

villagers for meetings, cycle coding etc. 

A comprehensive list of police literature 

is available from there. 

My contact details are as follows: 

Telephone 01394 460423 or 999 in an 

emergency o 

Email: 

Andrew.warne@suffolk.pnn.police.uk 

Table Tennis at 

Boyton 

Thanks to the loan of a beautiful table 

the first ‘Try-it-Out’ session on Sunday 

March 9th at Boyton Village Hall was a 

huge success. Well over 20 people 

young and old had a knock up or even a 

real game of table tennis. Thanks are due 

to the expert, Andrew Cassy, who 

encouraged the initiative, and now the 

intention is to have regular sessions on 

Sunday afternoons between 4 and 6pm – 

watch the noticeboards. 

We’ve 

Certain 

had no 

processes 

incidents 

will 

this 

have 

month 

to 

so 

be 

In the m 

I thought 

fulfilled 

I 

in 

would 

due course, 

tell you 

and 

instead 

those 

how 

adults 

equipme 

the coastguard has changed over the still clas 

who are keen on the game may have to 

past 30 years. 

team. 

join an opening-up rota. This is a really 

good activity that will certainly make 

I joined the coastguard in 1976 and After a 

better use of the village hall. 

at that time we did rough weather reduced 

watches. This meant that when the patrols a 

Fred Stentiford 

wind reached force six a watch would 

be set until it abated. The watches used In 2003 

to be of Karate six hours duration. Club My first at vehicle 

watch was Sutton from midnight Heath until 0600. interesti 

You can imagine how boring that was, area fro 

pitch black Thursdays and nothing 6 – 7pm to and see! 7.30 – 9pm Ferry an 

every week including holidays. From 

Deben u 

They 

3 

then 

years 

changed 

upwards 

it to 

in 

four 

mixed 

hour 

classes. 

watches 

For 

in 

more 

the daytime, 

information 

logging 

and class fees 

I hope y 

shipping 

contact 

movements 

Simon Mc 

in and 

Shane 

out of 

421626 

the interest, 

River Ore. 

GET SNAPPING 

It sounds a long 

way off, but 

February 2009, 

when we hope to 

hold our next 


p h o t o g r a p h y 

competition and 

exhibition, will soon come 

round. So make the most of 

the growing hours of daylight 

to get out and about start 

taking pictures of local 

interest. The categories for 

the competion will be 

announced next month. 

www.villagevoices.org.uk 

Get snapping! 

It sounds a long way off, but 

we hope to hold our next Vil 

competition and exhibition, w 

make the most of the growin 

out and about start taking pic 


Angie died on the 5th January, just a day 

short of her 60th birthday. She had been 

suffering from cancer of the gullet for the 

past year, receiving chemo- and radio 

therapy. She was thankfully not in great 

pain and was seen in good spirits most of 

the time. 

Husband Dennis died just 3 years ago. Our 

sympathy, of course, goes to their only son 

Darren. 

She was born in Butley, where her dad 

worked for the Forestry Commission. 

Unfortunately her mother, who was a 

housewife, died when Angie was 14. She 

then had the responsibility of bringing up 

her, two younger sisters and brother. 

Angela Rosemary Stone 

For a while Angie worked on the screens at 

Bawdsey Radar Station, before marrying 

Dennis. After living in Alderton for a while 

they then moved in to Lodge Road, where 

they started a pig farm together. For 5 

years this meant living in a caravan, where 

Darren was born, until they built the 

present bungalow. Dennis also worked as a 

night watchman at the prison. 

Apart from the occasional trip to Bermuda 

to see one of her sisters, Angie loved 

nothing more than to work on her garden. 

She loved Hollesley and was a real local 

girl. 

Nick Mason 

Advertise in 


see front page 

for details 


On the 19th December top of the 

table Woodbridge Football Club visited 

the Shepherd and Dog and despite good 

scoring by the home team they took a 4 

game lead. Dean Bailey and Karl 

Lennard won to give us a chance in the 

doubles. Jeanette Knights continues to do 

well in the ladies’ competition and won 2 

– 0. The Shepherd managed to win the 

first and last doubles games but lost the 

second game to give an overall match 

result of 4 – 5. 

Next was the knock-out cup semifinal 

against Woodbridge British Legion 

played at W.F.C. After the singles the 

score was tied at 3 – 3. We lost the first 

doubles game but won the last two and 

the match 5 – 4. We will now play 

Woodbridge Football Club in the final at 

Wickham George on March 19th. 

On the 16th January we entertained 

the Grundisburgh Dog in the league. 

Good scoring gave us a 4 – 2 lead in the 

singles. Jeanette gained another 2 – 0 

win in the ladies competition. The 

Shepherd players full of confidence, 

including landlord Ray, the Shepherd 

ploughed on to a 7 – 2 victory. 

Next we travelled to Leiston CC who 

were third in the league. With the singles 

going alternately we were 3 -3 at the 

break. Jeanette played superbly against 

her arch rival to win 2 – 1. The rest of us 

were lacklustre and lost 2 of the 3 pairs 

games and the match 5 – 4. On the same 

night Woodbridge FC lost and so Leiston 

went top, WFC second and the Shepherd 

third. 

February 6th was the local derby 

clash against the Sutton Plough. 3 

players scored 180’s with a further 10 

scores of 100 + in a crushing victory for 

Shepherd and Dog Darts 

the Shepherd and Dog. The result was 9 

– 0. Jeanette won 2 – 1. 

It was back to the Legion for a league 

fixture and the news that we were top of 

the league, but only on games won, not 

match points. The singles games were 

close. After going 2 games down we won 

the next 3 and were 3 – 3 before the 

doubles. These were all close games with 

the Shepherd taking them all and thus the 

match 6 – 3. Jeanette again had a 2 – 0 

result in her favour and is well clear at 

the top of the ladies table. 

On the 5th March we had a more 

challenging local derby against Orford 

Sports. This is always a hard match and, 

not surprisingly, it was 3 – 3 after the 

singles. It didn’t help that the Shepherd 

were without 2 key players, Dean Bailey 

and Stig Copping. In their places were 

James Knights (14) and super-sub Ray 

Whiffen (our landlord). Jeanette played a 

good game and won 2 – 0, and is ladies’ 

champion this year. Well done to her! In 

the doubles we were quickly 1 game 

down. James Knights and L Copping 

rallied us to make the score 4 – 4 going 

into the final game. It was Orford’s best 

2 players against one of our best, in John 

Copping, and our Talisman and 

super–sub landlord Ray. They hammered 

us in the first leg and we did the same to 

them in the second. So we had to win the 

last leg to stay top of the league. Both 

sides pitched well until they got to the 

double to finish. All had darts to win but 

none took their chance until, finally, up 

stepped Ray with the all important 

double and match winner. Score 5 – 4. 

Karl Lennard 



subscriptions 

Do you know someone who would like 

to receive Village Voices? 

Subscriptions are available at a cost of 

£10 for 12 issues including postage 

within the UK. 

Rates for overseas are considered 

individually. 

Please send the recipient’s name, 

address and telephone number together 

with a cheque for £10 payable to Boyton 

PCC to Debbie Pipe, 4 Mallard Way, 

Hollesley, Suffolk IP12 3QJ 

We hear that many former residents of 

the villages love to read Village Voices. 

Now is their chance to catch up with 

all our news. 


The Shingle Street Mystery 

At a Bawdsey Haven Yacht Club talk 

at Bawdsey Manor John Warwicker MBE 

explained the background to the rumours 

that the Germans had landed at Shingle 

Street in 1940. This incredible story had 

its origins in the misinformation put out 

by the British Government at the 

beginning of the War. In a desperate hope 

to deter an invasion, one ploy had been to 

persuade the Germans that the British 

army could ‘set fire’ to the sea. 

In 1942 pouring oil on the water and 

setting fire to it was experimented with, 

but it was never done on the East Coast 

and didn’t work any way. The Germans 

had already experimented with this idea 

in the Baltic with a total lack of success. 

Whether they believed the carefully 

planted rumours or not we don’t know. 

In the confusion of 1940 the 

Government organized Cromwell Day as 

a full-scale rehearsal for repelling an 

invasion. It was a rather poorly organized 

exercise and many people believed there 

had been an invasion. After the war the 

Government cleared up the ‘burning sea 

and burnt bodies,’ story and several other 

pieces of propaganda, and announced that 

the whole thing had been a hoax. At once 

many people jumped to the conclusion 

that this was ‘cover up’ to hide very dark 

secrets. 

Most people living in the Hollesley 

area during the war, or who had family in 

the area, remained firmly convinced that, 

apart from an experimental bomb being 

dropped in 1943, Shingle Street had been 

remarkably peaceful during the war. 

People were moved out because there 

were mines in the shingle beach. After the 

war, people who had moved into the area 

loved the story of the ‘German Invasion’ 

and the story grew and grew. Fuelled by a 

television program, two books and 

countless letters to the East Anglian Daily 

Times with first hand accounts, but never 

eye witnesses, by people who thought they 

might have heard or seen something. 

When John Gummer MP got the 

Government papers released it was found 

there was virtually nothing about Shingle 

Street. In 2004 BBC Radio did some 

major research and came to the final 

conclusion that nothing had happened at 

Shingle Street, although during World War 

II there had been many fire fights and 

‘bodies on the beach’ along this section of 

coast. The real mystery of Shingle Street is 

why there was ever a mystery in the first 

place. Robert Simper 

Fish out of Water 

Hollesley Players 

8th May, 9th and 10th May 

7.30pm in Hollesley Village Hall. 

Tickets – Adults £5.50 Under 14’s £2.50 

Available from Hollesley Stores, Alderton 

PO/Stores, 

Box Office 410352 or at the door. 

This is another comedy from Derek 

Benfield whose plays ‘Bird in the Hand’ 

and ‘Panic Stations’ were much enjoyed by 

the Players’ audiences in 2006 and 2007. 

‘Fish out of Water’ takes place in a sundrenched 

Hotel on the Italian Riviera in the 

early 1960’s. 

More details next month! 


Tara Foy 

Bruce Smith 

As some of you will know Bruce Smith 

– Stud Head Groom – underwent 

chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment 

in November and December last year. At 

the time of writing this story I am very 

pleased to say Bruce has had the surgery 

to remove the tumour and is recovering 

well in hospital. I hope you will all join 

me, and all my colleagues at the Suffolk 

Punch Trust in wishing Bruce a speedy 

recovery and we hope to see him up and 

about soon. 

The team at Village Voices also wish 

Bruce well as he recovers from his 

operation and treatment (Editor) 

We have a large new arrival at the stud! 

He is called ‘Besthorpe Achilles’ and he 

is a new addition to the stallions at the 

Suffolk Punch Trust 

stud. He is rather beautiful and has a 

very majestic air about him; he is 3 years 

old so he has a very bright future ahead 

of him! Achilles is a very appropriate 

name for him: in Greek mythology; 

Achilles was a hero of the Trojan War. 

Achilles also has the attributes of being 

the most handsome of the heroes 

assembled against Troy. You will be able 

to meet Achilles when you come and 

visit us on the OPEN DAY. 

DON’T FORGET 

THE OPEN DAY 

Saturday 5th April 2008. 

I hope to see you there. 

Visitors, with their families and friends 

will be welcome from 11am until 4pm. 

Attractions will include demonstrations 

of rural craft skills, a flying display by 

birds of prey and the chance to view our 

collection of artefacts, the harness room 

and of course the horses and not 

forgetting the lambs. No admittance 

charge will be made but the Trust will 

appreciate donations on the day and 

participation in a raffle to help cover our 

costs. 

The events page on our website now has 

the public shows and events for 2008, 

please go to 

www.suffolkpunchtrust.org. 

We are looking for some domestic 

cleaning help for 2 to 3 hours a week 

(mid week). If you are interested please 

get in touch with me on the phone 

number at the bottom of the story and I 

will provide you with more details. 


Please keep up the excellent cooperation in 

remaining on the public footpaths and 

keeping your pet on a lead when on the 

Trust’s land. Don’t forget, if you are unsure 

of where the public footpaths are, please get 

in touch with me and I will be more than 

happy to send you a hard copy of the map. 

See you at the open day! 

Tara Foy 

suffolkpunchtrust@hotmail.com 

Tel: 07841-778658 

(evenings and weekends only) 

Bruce and Tracey 

The Mothers’ Union hats for Seafarers 

w o o d b r i d g e l i m i t e d 

Look at this wonderful collection 

of hats that so many of you have 

been knitting to keep our 

seafarers warm while out at sea 

battling the elements. Even small 

balls of yarn can be worked into 

colourful patterns and stripes. 

If anyone has some spare yarn 

Pat would like to know. 

Pat Fleetwood 410409 

Bettaprint Print & Design 

A Family Run Business 

Full Colour Design & Print • Brochures • Magazines • Newsletters 

Letterheads, etc & General Printed Stationery 

Colour/Black & White Digital Copying Services 

• FREE Delivery Service with in the local area 

T: 01394 386628 • E. bettaprint@btconnect.com 

1 Carlow Mews Church Street WOODBRIDGE Suffolk IP12 1EA 


The Recycling Experience 

Ten of us from Hollesley WI visited 

Viridor Waste Management at Great 

Blakenham to see what happens to the 

contents of our blue-topped waste bins. It 

truly was an amazing experience. We were 

welcomed by Gaye Glading, the Education 

Officer, who regularly takes adult groups 

round the plant. We donned our hard hats 

and high visibility waistcoats and were 

connected by radio so that we could hear 

Gaye as she explained each step of the 

recycling process as we followed her 

round. 

We watched as lorries brought in the 

contents from customers’ blue-topped bins 

and tipped them out in a great mountain. 

The recyclate was carried up ramps and 

around the enormous space and through 

channels which begin the process of 

separation. Paper is spun in large drums, 

magnets extract metal cans and a different 

machine removes aluminium cans. 

Teams of Lithuanian workers work 

very hard and fast at different moving 

belts taking out anything which is not in 

the category they are dealing with. They 

come to work here on a short contract, 

living in local rented accommodation. 

They earn enough to buy a car and to send 

money home for their families, or perhaps 

to pay for a child to go to university. 

The last process is to bale up the sorted 

recyclate which is taken by container to 

Felixstowe and shipped to China and other 

countries where goods are made from the 

recycled materials such as plastic 

containers, linings for anoraks, sleeping 

bags and even clothing. We were 

impressed with the cleanliness of the plant 

and the efficient way extractors kept dust 

and dirt to a minimum. We spent some 

time asking questions over a welcome 

mug of coffee. We all have a list at home 

of what we should or should not put in our 

bins. 

What else should we NOT put in our 

bins? 

1. Plastic carrier bags are a big 

problem. They cannot be recycled 

and take 500 years to degrade. 

We must say NO to them and 

find alternatives. 

2. Any film or soft plastic that can 

be scrunched up by hand cannot 

be recycled at the plant. 

3. Flower pots, however clean 

should not be put in bins. 

4. Tetrapaks, packaging from tablets 

and other bonded materials 

cannot be separated at the plant. 

5. Shredded paper clogs up the 

machines. Put it in with the 

compost. 

6. Any long items, especially tapes 

which may get wound up in the 

mechanism. 

7. Aerosols can explode. 

8. Polystyrene, pots and pans, 

string. 

Landfill sites are filling up fast 

everywhere and all of us must do our bit 

to recycle what we can. At Great 

Blakenham the plant serves most of 

Suffolk except the far north of the region. 

It is one of the most efficient recycling 

plants in the country and can recycle up to 

97% of what comes in. It is up to each one 

of us to do our bit and make that figure 

rise even higher, (see colour photo 

page 4). 

Helen Macleod 


Notes from Hollesley 

Parish Council 

6th March 

Barry Towler, Emergency Planning 

Officer gave a report on the most recent 

storm that hit the area over 1st – 2nd 

March. Trees had been blown over, in 

particular at Oak Hill where they had gone 

through power lines resulting in power 

failure for 36 hours affecting around 100 

homes. EDF were asked for generators, 

but these were only available from the 

north of England! Following this incident 

Barry is looking into several issues and 

will report back to the PC. 

Travellers – It was reported that 31 sites 

need to be found for travellers in this area 

with sites requiring a piece of land with 

water. Travellers will pay Council Tax and 

be required to keep the site clean and tidy. 

Police – No crimes to report this month. 

Two escapees from Hollesley Bay. 

Trouble with motor bikes on the Heath. 

Annual Parish 

Meeting Thursday 

April 17th 7.30pm 

Hollesley Village Hall 

Village residents are invited to hear the 

annual reports from Parish Councillors, 

Police, Prison Governor and various 

organizations on all matters which affect 

the community. The Parish Council invite 

members of the public to voice their 

concerns or appreciation about local 

issues. 

Come and have your say! 

Woodbridge School 

Swing Band Concert 

Churches were built to the glory of God, 

and those builders of the past must have 

had a great deal of knowledge about design 

as so many of the churches have excellent 

acoustics. 

The church was a perfect sound box for the 

young people of Woodbridge School 

Swing Band to show off their skills in 

solos and in the group. This was really 

brought home at the concert held at 

Hollesley Church. At one stage the bass 

guitar player was tuning up at the front and 

we at the back literally felt the air vibrating 

on those deep low notes, a wonderful 

effect. 

The musical feast of swing, jazz, blues and 

rock music brought the whole building 

alive. The music brought back memories of 

our courting days (which, for some, were 

quite a number of years ago). From 

Ellington and Sweeney, Wyche and 

Rodgers and Ellis and Shepherd, it was a 

programme to get people’s feet tapping. 

The saxophones, trumpets, trombones, 

horn, clarinets, piano, guitar, double bass 

and drums directed by Paul Shepherd were 

played bya group of young people who had 

practiced hard and achieved something 

about which they can be very proud. 

Thank you to all of them. 

Thanks also to all those who worked to 

make the evening a success by raising 

funds of about £600. We hope to arrange 

another concert next year. 

(See colour photo p.4) 

Malcolm Fleetwood

April 2008 - Village Voices

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?