Great Waldingfield revealed!

Last week I took delivery of my copy of the Great Waldingfield Village Scrapbook.

The book has been maintained and compiled by Edna Allan, who, I learnt, came to the village on her marriage in 1947. Material in the book dates back to 1951 when it was started by the WI.  Mrs Allen was encouraged to publish the document by Mike Stone, who, as is well known, is interested not just in local history, but also in the stories of the people who lived, and still live, in the village.

The book is really beautifully produced.  There is much of interest in it, including a history of the village dating back to the 1950’s.  There is also a fascinating report of the Coronation in 1953.  It seems that some two weeks after the event children and pensioners from the village were taken to the cinema in Sudbury to see a colour film of the event!

The scrapbook promises hours of interest, even to one who has got to know the village well relatively recently. It shows that much changes over time, but much also stays the same.  What is clear from the scrapbook is that the Big Society has been alive and well in Great Waldingfield for many years.

Copies of the scrapbook are available from Mike Stone (who can be found at GW Business Associates next to the shop).  I do recommend it to anyone interested in our area.