French group seeks roots in Suffolk

Earlier this week, Little Waldingfield History Society welcomed 35 visitors from Lyon in France, all of whom are members of their local history society.  Among their number were decendents of the Appleton family that originally came from Little Waldingfield, and lived in Holbrook Hall.   

The visit to Little Waldingfield was arranged after the group organiser, a lecturer from the University of Lyon, wrote to LWHS asking whether it would be possible to arrange a trip to ‘Appleton Manor’.  It seems that the Appleton family has at least two descendants living in France, one line being traced through an American branch of the family.

The Appleton Memorial Plaque in Little Waldingfield Church

The happy event is described in detail on the ‘French visit’ tab above.  Many thanks to Andy Sheppard for the article.

End of the season at Little Waldingfield History Association

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The last event in this year's programme was a fascinating talk about Joan of Arc by Joy Bounds, pictured left.  A full report by Andy Sheppard can be found on the 'Joan of Arc' tab above.  It includes some interesting new information about a ring belonging to Joan that was only discovered a year or so ago.

Joan rallies her troops

The next event will be at 7.30 in the Parish Room on 20th September, when Sarah Doig, a local writer, researcher and brilliant speaker on local and general history, will take us through her own A-Z of Curious Suffolk.  As described by Amazon:

The book romps through Suffolk’s rolling countryside and along its shingled coastline, unearthing the curious along the way. Sandwiched between ecclesiastical penances handed to adulterers and fornicators, and the odd porcelain incendiary bombs commemorating the Zeppelin raids, is an alphabetical cornucopia of strange, spooky and mysterious facts about the county.

 

Its going to be great, so make a note in your diary.

Mark Bills on Gainborough and Gainsborough's House at Little Waldingfield History Society

Mark Bills

 Mark Bills, art historian and the esteemed Director of Gainsborough's House in Sudbury, was the guest speaker at Little Waldingfield History Society last week.

Andy Sheppard has, as usual, provided a comprehensive account of Mark's talk which can be found under the 'Gainsborough' tab above.

In addition to talking about Thomas Gainsborough's life, Mark took the opportunity to discuss the exciting £8m capital project that the museum is currently planning, and was able to show an architect's impression of what the new gallery might look like (see below).  (I say might since the final plans are not yet completed).

The next LWHS event will be at 7.30 in The Parish Room. Little Waldingfield, on 14th June, when Joy Bounds, a local writer on women’s issues and history, will tell the Society all about the life and times of Joan of Arc - Maid of Orleans and a true French Heroine.

Suffolk and India

Ashley Cooper

Little Waldingfield History Society was delighted to welcome Ashley Cooper, one of Suffolk’s leading local historians,back to the Parish Room on April 19th. As anticipated, the audience of more than 40 people were enthralled by the myriad connections he had identified between the ‘Jewel in the Crown’ and Suffolk.

A full report on his talk can be found on the India tab above

The next two events hosted by the History Society will be

17th May, when the Director of Gainsborough's House,  Mark Bills will talk to us about the Life and Art of Thomas Gainsborough.

14th June, when Joy Bounds will tell us all about the life and times of Joan of Arc

For further information about the Society and its events contact Diana Langford on 01787 248298.