Little Waldingfield History Society News

Thanks to Andy Sheppard for the report below.  The next meeting of the LWHS will be on 19th February at 7.30 p.m. in the Parish Room, Little Waldingfield. It will feature a talk about Boudica and the Iceni by local expert Dr Nick Sign, Vice Chairman of the Suffolk Local History Council and Hon. Editor of the Suffolk Review.

LWHS Art Display

 Wednesday 15^th Jan 2014

Once again LWHS members did the society proud by turning up in force for our member only display of signed art prints by renowned local artist Roger Lane, with around 40 making the evening a huge success.

With 24 USAAF 486^th Bomb Group related local scenes on view, plus a most interesting display of local wartime photos by our Chairman Dennis Duffy, there really was lots to see and much discussion ensued. The buzz our members created with their lively discussions was then much enhanced with lots of US and British bunting, liquid refreshments and some lovely pastry savories courtesy of Sue Horsley, which were scrummy.

With first guests arriving well ahead of the 7.30 start and the last not leaving until after 9.00, it was apparent a very good time was had by all, and testament to the efforts put in by Roger, Dennis, Sue and the rest of the LWHS committee.

Promote your organisation on Suffolk InfoLink

If your local organisation is not yet registered on Suffolk Info Link, don't delay, do it today!

What is Suffolk InfoLink?

Suffolk InfoLink is an online directory of community information; local clubs, societies, community and voluntary organisations and services.  It is searchable by postcode and key words, flexible and aims to be a comprehensive compendium of everything that is on offer to people in the County.
 

Suffolk InfoLink is designed:

• to be a searching and signposting tool for people
• to give organisers of local activities and services an easy and effective means of promotion
• to provide information on what activities are on offer and how services can be accessed

Registering on Suffolk info link is free of charge.

To learn more go to:-

http://infolink.suffolk.gov.uk/kb5/suffolk/infolink/home.page

The Peasants Revolt 2014

Suffolk has always been a county of non-conformists, iconoclasts, and rebels.

The skull of the decapitated Archbishop of Canterbury, Simon of Sudbury, remains to this day locked in a cupboard in St Gregory’s Church, keeping alive memories of the county’s active participation in the Peasants’ Revolt of 1381.

Post reformation there is considerable evidence that shows that the puritans were very popular in the county and that iconoclasts such as Dowsing met little resistance when they wrought havoc in our local churches.  

A strong non-conformist tradition persisted after the Civil War, the family of Sudbury’s greatest son, Thomas Gainsborough, being one of many that turned their backs on the establishment.  In a letter to his Doctor in 1779, Gainsborough comments that his sister Mrs Gibbon, ‘cares not a farthing for what Bishops may say’.

Gainsborough's brother Humphrey, a famous non-conformist Minister

 This streak of independence and general bolshiness survives to this day.  While generally of a conservative frame of mind people in Suffolk value their independence and integrity.  We do not like being bullied or pushed around.   It is no coincidence that our newspapers are called the Free Press, or that another ‘Peasants Revolt’ appears to be in progress at present.

Image courtesy of order-order.com

News from Babergh West Safer Neighbourhood Team

 The Safer Neighbourhood Team officers write:-

 You have told us that the priorities you want us to focus on in Babergh West are currently:

·         To address parking problems, congestion and obstruction offences in the vicinity of Boxford Primary School when parents are dropping and collecting their children (CO105NP).

·         Reduce the instance of Burglary other buildings in Long Melford and Lavenham. 

As a result, your team is taking the following action:

·         Working with the Parent Association and staff at Boxford Primary School to ensure the issue is addressed again in school newsletters and on school bulletin board. Create a letter which can be put into the children’s book bags highlighting the dangers of inconsiderate parking to educate parents. Issue advisory notes where parking is inconsiderate.  Where parking is illegal take enforcement action by issuing tickets.

·         Carry out both high visibility reassurance patrols, but also covert patrols in the affected areas.  Raise awareness of crime reduction measures the public can take to protect their property with the use of Immobilse, property marking and securing their premises. 

We want to hear your views on local crime and policing.

To help with this, we hold regular meetings where you can tell us your concerns and set our priorities.

Forthcoming meetings are shown below:

Tuesday 18th March 2014, 11am-12pm,

Village Hall, Old Bury Road, Alpheton, CO10 9BS

Webster by candlelight, a visit to a new Jacobean theatre.

On Friday Nick and I went to see The Duchess of Malfi at the Globe’s new Jacobean Theatre on Bankside.

It was a wonderful experience and we felt very lucky to be able to visit this fascinating new venue within days of its opening.

Seating only 380 or so people, the theatre is based on plans from the middle of the seventeenth century.  It comes as close as research can make it to the sort of indoor theatre that was beginning to take over from the larger ‘Wooden O’ in the early years of the century, and of course it pre figures the shape of the indoor venues that we enjoy today.

Webster’s rather grim play, which dates from around 1612, was lit entirely by candlelight. This took a certain amount of getting used to, but the experience was certainly atmospheric.  At the point in the play when the stage is supposed to be entirely dark, it was indeed pitch black!  Some of the more dramatic moments came when a character’s face was simply lit by one or two candles, and the brighter scenes were lit by large chandeliers, packed with flickering candles.

The only problem with historically authentic theatres is the fact that the seating can be a little challenging for twentieth century folk used to more comfortable venues.  The Theatre Royal in Bury has the same problem, and critics have been loud in their condemnation of the seating there!  Three hours on a barely padded bench without a back certainly keeps you awake however, and the feeling of going back in time makes up for the inconvenience.

It is not necessary to book seats for the theatre to see its beautiful interior, since I understand that guided tours of the original Globe site will now include a visit to its smaller auditorium.