by Wickhambrook History Society
Our first meeting of the year was an opportunity for members to share their interest in history and Roger medley and John Norton gave contrasting talks of interest to all.
Roger is a guide at Ickworth and gave a presentation on the Italianate garden. This beautiful spot was familiar to the members, but Roger’s photographs and his inside information made everyone want to go again and see the fine detail. The garden was created by various members of the Hervey family who had travelled in Italy and although it was possible to re-create the style and planting, the climate was not the same and so shelter belts were planted. The many windows on the south side of the main house reflected warmth on to the garden, too. The box hedges were attacked by blight in recent years and are now being replaced by yew. When the family wanted to walk in the garden, they rang a bell so that the gardeners could get out of sight! The roots of trees in the famous stumpery were dug up during the wartime ‘Dig for Victory ‘campaign.
John had visited Auschwitz and it was timely to remember this dreadful example of ‘man’s inhumanity to man ‘ as this week marks the 75th Anniversary of the liberation of the camp. He recounted the history of the site and the rise of Hitler. There are 120 survivors still alive and a special event attended by the Duchess of Cornwall will mark the day. Auschwitz is now a World Heritage site and much visited. It is to be hoped that lessons have been learned and such atrocities will never be repeated.
Dorothy Anderson had brought along the village Millennium Survey folders, and members enjoyed looking back at this snapshot of the village in 2000. Each household was asked to fill in a form, take a photograph, and add a history of their house. It makes for fascinating reading and is very useful for those seeking family history information.