There and Back

Kettlebaston is a village and a civil parish with just over 30 inhabitants located around 3 miles (5 km) east of Lavenham. From the 2011 Census the population of the village was not maintained and is now included in the civil parish of Chelsworth. Once in an area of great wealth, the demise of the mediaeval wool trade was indirectly the saving of the village, (as we know it today), since the locals were unable to afford the expense of upgrading their houses with the latest architectural fashions. The number of timber-framed houses slowly declined over the years, as did the population - from over 200 at its peak, to the point when the village was on the brink of extinction. By the 1960s, with the road no more than an unmade track, and no electricity or mains water supplies, (it still has no gas or main drains), Kettlebaston was barely standing. In the "Spotlight On The Suffolk Scene" article, of the Chronicle & Mercury in June 1949, it was noted that a great many ho...

The morning looked bright but felt cold, and there was a gentle breeze - an ideal morning for a stroll along the promenade at Walton on the Naze. Not many other people ventured out apparently, so we had it all to ourselves as we walked toward the Naze end. The beach huts looked really colourful in the morning sun. I rather took a fancy to this one. Shuttered for the winter, awaiting warm weather. Not so funny if the tide came in while you were having a doze! The tide was coming in, but appeared gentle at this time. Symmetry in the sand. As the tide neared its peak, it began to assume a more vigorous nature. By the time we were nearly back to our starting point, we had to watch the path ahead which was disappearing under the swell. But eventually I was caught! Just as I was passing this point, a wave crashed over the wall and hit me! Thank goodness for a good coat, although my trousers suffered.   ...