There and Back

Like many medieval churches in Suffolk, St John the Baptist is remote from the village it serves. Or, it would be more accurate to say that the village is remote from the church, since the church stands on the main road from the A12 to Aldeburgh, and the village is off this road, a mile or so to the south. The position of the church probably reflects the fact that it is high, firm ground, while the village is in the marshes.  There have been many internal as well as external alterations and restorations  over the years; not so many by the Victorians as was the common practice. The most recent of significance have been the rebuilding of the East Wall in 1920, (above) and the installation of a new organ together with improvements to the balcony and vestry at the millennium (below). The new organ, and in front of it, the magnificent 15C font. The treasure of the Church, despite some mutilation in the past, is undoubtedly the font, made c.1500 and once gilded.  In his "Buildi...

The 'Harvest' mural, situated at the back of the derelict Co-op department store on Carr Street in Ipswich, is one of only four surviving large-scale English Co-op murals created in the 50s and 60s. I originally photographed this mural in 2011 This piece, created by Hungarian artists, Gyula Bajó and Endre Hevezi, between 1963 and 1964, comprises thousands of colourful square mosaic tiles, depicting the Greek mythology characters of Demeter, goddess of the harvest and the messenger Hermes. Planning permission was allowed in October 2021 to demolish the former store at 48 to 68 Carr Street to make way for a new primary school, nursery, along with a rooftop multi-use games area. However, the Grade II-listed mural on the rear of the building in Ipswich has impacted the delivery of the school. The rare mural was given Grade II listed status last year, meaning that while the demolition could still go ahead, the mural would be preserved In August, planning permission was granted to al...

Those hoping to follow in the footsteps of Ed Sheeran may be in luck as Ipswich Council hopes to encourage busking in Ipswich. They have developed a new guide to highlight the town as a destination for street musicians. This news came just ahead of a busking showcase event on March 23 which gave performers a chance to show off their talents. This was the event that I photographed a small fraction of, and some of my images are listed below. Great fun and I would think that it was a very successful day. Eko the Sea Giant, a giant 13-feet puppet, performing as part of Autin Dance Theatre’s sensational outdoor show Out of the Deep Blue on the Cornhill. Through puppeteering, dance and movement, Out of the Deep Blue explores the themes of the climate emergency and transports audiences to a different world. Although I watched for some time, I missed the point I am afraid! I should have picked up a leaflet I suppose. They did have a big audiance all the time we were in Ipswich. Burgess Music...

The story of  AARON MCCLURE came to my attention when a newspaper article mentioning the mural that had been created in his memory. It was commissioned by the school in Ipswich, which he attended, and is on the wall in the front of the school.  A brief history, as part of his funeral, is below the picture. On the wall of the school where Aaron attended - Westbourne Academy in Ipswich `Private Aaron McClure, who died on 23 August 2007 in a so-called “friendly fire” incident that also killed two other UK soldiers, was serving in Afghanistan with 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment. Despite his young age – he was 19 at the time of his death - Private McClure was a veteran of more than forty conflict operations. The two other soldiers who died were Private John Thrumble and Private Robert Foster Colleagues described Private McClure as a highly capable, motivated soldier with great ambition and potential, but his talent was hidden by a modest, unassuming personality and a quie...

Having made several journeys along this route, this was my day to visit the three churches that I have passed by each time. Starting with Shottisham. This is a rather pretty village which I had not visited before although I have driven past it. Having parked the car, I was warned, twice, by an elderly gentleman (older than me!) to take care climbing the steps to the church and to hang on to the railing. Bless him. My first view of the church was this - once I had navigated the steps: The church is dedicated to St Margaret of Antioch, a rather unusual dedication I thought, and was built in 1313 by the monks of Butley Abbey. There are signs that there was an earlier church building. In 1969 Margaret’s feast day, formerly July 20, was eliminated in the revised calendar of the Roman Catholic Church because it is doubtful whether she ever existed. Nevertheless, during the medieval period she ranked among the most famous saints; her voice was among those attested to have been heard by St. J...

A visit today to Norton Church of St Andrew, tucked away down a long lane. The church has remnants indicating a 13th century origin, and the tower 14th, although this was not finished until somewhat later. It has a rather plain interior but with one or two interesting features. Most of these old churches usuall have something! A general view of the church from the south side. One of the internal doors - North side? View from the Chancel looking West - plain and simple. However, on the right, at the back of the church is a very curious monument. The name has now gone, but Mortlock tells us that it remembers Daniel Bales who died in 1625. He left a dole of bread for the poor, and the arched recess with the skeleton at the back was the place where the bread was placed. Also at the back is this wonderful 15C font, regarded as one of the church`s outstanding treasures. Speculation is that it`s supurb condition is because it was well plastered over in the puritan times and nothing was protr...