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November 2005
The 'homespun' history meetings this year have been very successful and produced the kind of local information it was intended to seek out when the group began its life in 1995. October's meeting, 'Solemn Undertakings', was no exception when local churchyards came under closer scrutiny. Michael Robinson revealed the sad story behind the row of metal crosses at Harleston when disease affected so many members of the same family. It is possible these metal markers were made at a local foundry. The Peddar graves at Shelland had links with Rockylls Hall, South America, and the founders of Knights, the estate agents and auctioneers of Stowmarket. The large stone cross at Buxhall is the resting place of Eugene Wells, who was Master of the Hunt and lived at Buxhall Vale. Robert Pyke of Gt Finborough showed his family tree, dating back centuries and included incumbents and marriages into clergy families in this Benefice, most notably Thomas Massingberd Pyke, whose family are buried at Onehouse and in whose memory the present pulpit at Onehouse was installed.
For some time endeavours have been made to produce a graveyard plan for Onehouse, so the second part of the evening was hands-on when names of all known 'residents' were written on small pieces of paper. These will be placed on large sheets, and then it may be possible to work out where other burials may have taken place. There have been over 500 burials at Onehouse since 1813 and many have no headstone or marker. The churchyard itselt was extended to the north in 1919 which is where many more recent burials have taken place while ashes tend to be buried before the east window. A number of former clergy are buried at Onehouse.
For the November meeting thoughts will return to that other ancient local institution - the village pub - under the title 'Goings on at the Inn'. This talk was recently given to the newly formed Local History Group in Stowmarket, but changes will be made to include some of the more juicy stories for which there had not been time during that evening. A forward notice that the December meeting will be looking at the history of the Jubilee Players from its formation in 1977. Anyone with stories and/or photographs of our churchyard 'residents', the local inns or Jubilee Players, please contact Pauline (673190). Otherwise all welcome to meetings in the Church Room at 7.30 p.m. Tuesday, November 1 or December 6.
October 2005
The weather was kind for a lovely evening in September when fourteen of us met at Lakeside. Pat Lee joined with us to walk around the lake and river and described how the area had been developed, the water plants, the fish and the fishers, and the commemorative seat made by Graham Chaplin of Buxhall who made the Onehouse village sign. We also traced the ownership from the Lord of the Manor to the present day. We looked at the river and the water control section by Burford Bridge. As the light faded we moved to the cafe for very welcome light refreshments and pleasant conversation.
For the meeting on Tuesday, October 4th - 'Solemn Undertakings' we shall be looking at the general history of burials and see how well we can trace those buried in our local graveyards (in the plural), and any stories behind those named.
The November meeting will be at 7.30pm on Tuesday, 1st, when we shall be looking at the other old local institution - 'Goings on at the Inn'.
For further information please contact Pauline - 673190.
September 2005
Sadly the trip to Coddenham in July had to be cancelled for health reasons, but our hosts do wish us to visit as soon as this can be arranged. The meeting in August with Clive and Diana at School House was a tremendous success. Shoeboxes (and even pockets) revealed incredible personal treasures which owners spoke about briefly and which were then passed around for everyone to examine. These included military memorabilia from both the First and Second World Wars, family photographs and genealogy records, children's books and toys, crafted items and tools, and various dress items. For a full list please see our notice board in the Church Room.
The autumn programme starts on September 6th with a visit to Lakeside by kind invitation of Pat Lee, an opportunity to wander around and enjoy this little corner of Onehouse, the river, lake and surroundings, and then take refreshments at the cafe which Dave has kindly offered to open during the evening. In order to make the most of the evenings that are gradually beginning to draw in we shall meet as from 7.00pm instead of the usual 7.30pm. Should the weather be unkind there is ample room in the cafe.
On October 4th we revert to meeting at 7.30pm in the Church Room for 'Solemn Undertakings' This will be a Group activity, looking at just who is buried in our various churchyards - and bringing them back to life! So, start looking now and bring with you the 'history' of those past members of your own parish, who they were, who they were related to, what they did for a living and even how they died. November 1st 'Goings on at the Inn' and December 6th the usual party and also the history of the Jubilee Players.
We have tried to be as economical as possible during this year; however, the cost of insurance, the hall hire and fees to visiting speakers are rising all the time. At the August meeting this was discussed and everyone agreed to the introduction of an annual subscription of £5. Otherwise the usual entrance charge of £2 per evening will remain the same and this does, of course, include refreshments.
A reminder that these meetings are open to everyone, so that we have members from all surrounding parishes, including Stowmarket. Over the years we have lost members who have moved away or to higher places, but with renewed support we can then consider inviting back again such speakers as Clive Paine and Geoff Clarke, so to make this possible all you have to do is join us for a very pleasant evening on the first Tuesday of each month.
The programme for 2005:
Meetings are held at 7.30pm on the first Tuesday of each month at the Church Room
March
It seems incredible that the History meeting on Tuesday, March 1 and the Women's World Day of Prayer service on the following Friday both had to be cancelled due to a sudden bitterly cold snap with snow and yet two weeks later, as the editorial for the April OHSMag is being written on St Andrew's Day the sky is blue and the temperature is well into double figures!
Even this little piece of information is 'history' and it is often very interesting to look back and find out what has happened in the past due to extremes of weather, either heat, cold or wet. For example recently, and following the dreadful Boxing Day tsunami, an article was written about the devastation caused by a tsunami which hit Lisbon in 1775: the Revd Charles Davy was sitting writing at his desk when the walls about him came tumbling down. He must have been looking for somewhere safer to live because one year later in 1776 he became the Rector of Onehouse and lived at the Grange (former Rectory) until his death in 1797 when he was buried in Onehouse Church. Another little snippet of local history!
It was disappointing not seeing the 'treasures' being revealed from people's boxes, however it is most likely that we shall, after all, have a meeting in August. This would be a 'garden party' possibly at School House - always a pleasure to be there and happy memories of the 'wind-up' gramophone and 78rpm records when we sang our hearts out to old familiar tunes and danced on the lawn.
April 5
Trudy Gray - 'Samplers and Their History
This evening was NOT 'just for the ladies'. When Frank Reed retired as Headmaster at Combs he enquired whether sampler making would be something he could do. The exquisite work in samplers designed and stitched by him had to be seen to be believed and wonderfully supported Trudy Gray's talk, which led us through the ages of 'stitchery' from the Bayeux Tapestry to the present day.
Trudy became interested in samplers about 22 years ago. The craft appealed to her as it is very precise and mathematical in design with the use of graph paper. She went to an exhibition of samplers at the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge and suggested to everyone that this would be well worth a visit. She showed us her first art' sampler which was made to commemorate the birth of her son Thomas. Then followed a series of slides to illustrate quite clearly how samplers have evolved over the centuries, the great skill of English needlewomen and the explanation that the Bayeux tapestry is, in fact, not 'tapestry1 but 'embroidery1. Embroidery is a length of cloth on which designs are stitched; tapestry is a series of coloured threads woven in such a way as to form a design! The earliest record of a sampler is 1598.
Throughout her talk it was amazing how history of the time was linked into the different samplers and the reasons for different emblems and designs being taught, from preparing decorative stitching for use on clothing and furnishing, darning, marking of household linens according to rank, and even mapmaking - supported by a sampler of Boarded Barn Farm at Gt Finborough worked by Mary Williams.
What became apparent from the talk was the young age at which girls were making samplers, often starting at about 7 and finishing at 9, by which time they were producing needlework that would astonish today's girls of that age - and even many women
May 3
Group activity - 'Now and Then - Mapping the Area 1881 and 1981'
At the May meeting considerable interest was shown in the various maps and census returns laid out for inspection, from which everyone could see how the parishes locally have evolved over the past 150 years. Several people were going round and jotting down notes, and there were deep discussions between John Scott and Michael Robinson as, during his lifetime, John has worked on many of the buildings. More and more people are actively involved in tracing their ancestors and it is amazing how many queries are received from this country and abroad about families who used to live in this area, which leads us on to .......
June 7
Steve and Sue Williams - 'Stowmarket Business Families'
The June meeting when Steve and Sue Williams came laden with their two published books on trading families of Stowmarket, "Serving You Through the Ages", and also Steve's latest book, "The Bombing of Stowmarket Congregational Church" which is a collection of memories of some of the people who witnessed thedropping of the bombs on Friday 31st January 1941. They explained how their mutual interest in researching family history widened to local history when one of the old family shops in Stowmarket closed; they felt saddened by the loss and started to reminisce about the other family businesses that had closed. Jotting down notes they then decided to publish a letter in the local Press seeking information from people who might have other memories to share. The result was quite overwhelming and resulted in two complete novices battling their way through the problems of transforming notes and photographs into a format suitable for printing and, equally important, funding for publication. The other amazing 'find1 out of their shared love of family history and without knowing it was to find that they are actually distantly related -something like fourth cousins once removed!
'December 6
Group activity - Christmas and The History of the Jubilee Players'
A note that we have visits from two other Groups and any help with refreshments and making their visit really enjoyable will be greatly appreciated.
Sunday, April 23 at 2.30pm the Coddenham Local History Group who, in turn, will be hosting us in their parish in July, and Monday, June 20 at 7.00pm a group from Kesgrave.
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