There and Back

2022 - A year of celebrations to mark 1,000 years since the founding of the Abbey of St Edmund in Bury St Edmunds by King Canute. Various events are being held this year and I took a brief visit to get a snapshot of the celebrations. Obviously, I have visited Bury many times before, so the first couple of images are from the beautiful gardens taken previously. The gardens really are worth a visit on their own. They are always kept in immaculate condition no matter what the time of year. The first Patron Saint of England and King of East Anglia, Saint Edmund was enshrined in the Abbey lending his name to the town. The shrine brought visits from across the UK and abroad including Royalty as the Abbey became one of the most famous and wealthy pilgrimage locations in England. Today, the extensive Abbey remains are surrounded by the Abbey Gardens, which are visited by some 1.3million people every year. So onto some images of the ruins of the original abbey.. The story of St Edmund, who rule...

The Ipswich Charter Wall Hangings were researched and designed by Isabel Clover. The panels were embroidered by City and Guilds students from Suffolk College at the turn of the Millennium. Each of the eight panels is a graphic representation of Ipswich in the centuries since the town was granted its charter in 1200AD. Embroidery is the embellishment of fabric with needlework; the panels demonstrate a wealth of techniques and applied materials to represent architectural styles, different forms of transport and Ipswich’s treasures. The panels were born out of an idea by Ferial Rogers of the Ipswich Arts Association who, when discussing ways to mark the Millennium, suggested some kind of tapestry. Such needle-works have long been used to mark important occasions and historical events, most notable among them no doubt the Bayeux Tapestry. A simple idea that, with Isabel’s experience in ecclesiastical designs and embroidery, became a major project. On a technicality, I am repeatedly remind...

A giant bronze statue of a man, the 26ft (7.9m) tall `Yoxman`, stands near the A12 at Cockfield Hall, in Yoxford. Quite a surprise when you see it for the first time. There is a layby just in the right place so you don`t neet to risk life or limb looking while driving! Sculptor Laurence Edwards says it is one of the largest bronze pieces to be cast in England in recent years and is "a Green Man for our age". "He is a lightning rod for loads of issues about ecology and what we are doing to this planet," he said. The eight-tonne statue was transported flat on a lorry from the foundry at Halesworth Industrial Estate to the grounds of the private estate of Cockfield Hall, where it was craned upright into its final position. Mr Edwards, who has been working on the project for four years, said he was delighted to see the statue in place.    Index of posts

In the 1960s, town planners foresaw a rise in the town's population of Ipswich towards half a million people, and so they decided to cross and encircle the existing town centre with a network of dual carriageways lined with office blocks. They didn't get very far with their plans before a halt was called, for some reason. The towering Civic Centre, police station and the Civic Drive road system were all that was left.. The Civic Centre and the police station, both which stood directly opposite this church, have since been demolished, but the four lane Civic Drive still cuts across what was the Mount residential area, the little terraces all demolished to make way for the 20th century, and separates St Matthew from the rest of the town centre. This church is perhaps less well-known than the other working town centre churches. Partly, because it requires an effort to find it and get across to it if you are a visitor. Because of this, many people don't realise that the church ...

A few hours to visit some local churches that have been shut recently due to Covid! It took me a few minutes to find this church, having driven past it once! However, I backtracked to where my map indicated, and parked on the main road. The church is not visible from this point but a walk down the driveway to Finborough Hall, and then turn off through the fields, soon brought me to this tree surrounded, quaint little church.  The Victorians had a lot to do with the church we see now, but it still feels Medieval. Probable of 14C origins and has never had a tower. The west end (above) was rebuilt in 1856, replacing the lath and plaster with the banded pebble wall that we see today. A view from the North side and the shed like structure on wheels which is an old Shepherds Hut. Supposedly of C19 origin.   The interior of St Mary`s with it`s tiny organ tucked away in the corner and its curious pulpit and reading desk at the front. All in all, a sense of peace and tranquillity, tuc...

Walking along the riverside in Ipswich, I am always on the lookout for art on the many buildings. At the end of 2021, I came across this image and promptly had to investigate as the name rang no bells with me! The following is a precis of this ladies life as found online. As you will see, she lived in Suffolk as a child, and although  a very privileged life for sure, she used that as a weapon in her fight for Women`s Rights. Princess Sophia Duleep Singh is best known as a suffragette and campaigner for women's rights. Daughter of deposed Maharaja Duleep Singh and goddaughter of Queen Victoria, she used her fame, position and tenacity in the fight for gender equality in the early 20th century. Sophia's campaigning attracted the attention of both the press and the government. Her tireless activities ranged from participating in landmark historical events such as 'Black Friday' to routinely selling copies of The Suffragette newspaper outside Hampton Court Palace. Sophia...

Although we were going to visit Folkestone this week anyway, it was brought forward, as a tyre was needed! However, we spent time exploring, so no time lost. Folkstone is the terminal for the Eurotunnel, the rail link to Calais in France. Just 35 minutes away it says. Needless to say, we kept away from that side of the town. Although these images were not all taken the same day, they blend together quite well, starting at the Hythe end and progressing along to Folkstone. Then a short hop to Dover. After starting our walk from Hythe, one of the first things to catch our attention were the beach huts. I couldn't believe that there was no system in the display. I was right, as we came across a notice advertising `Creative Folkestone Artworks`. These beach huts were part of this display which covered all areas of Folkestone. If I had only known earlier! Rana Begum - No. 1054 Arpeggio Commissioned for Creative Folkestone Triennial 2021 in partnership with Folkestone & Hythe Distric...