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Ghosts of West Suffolk
The theme of November’s meeting of Wickhambrook WI was a suitably spooky one. Graham Higgins gave us a talk on the various ghost stories that abound in West Suffolk. Apparently one of the most haunted places in Suffolk is Denham which appears in the Encyclopaedia of Haunted Places…
Wickhambrook Remembers
The best thing about the events of 11th November in Wickhambrook was the way in which the whole day brought the village together to remember those who died in World War 1 and celebrate the Armistice in 1918…
“Autumnwatch” at Lackford Lakes
Following on from a delightful visit to Lackford Lakes in the Summer, Wickhambrook WI decided to make a repeat trip int he Autumn. Once again we were taken around by Will Cranston, the manager of the site at Lackford…
Anyone for Table Tennis?
Table Tennis Taster session and coaching demonstration in MSC – Saturday 17th November 2 – 4pm. If anyone is interested in testing their skills or helping to join and run a set of regular playing sessions in the village Hall…
Parish Clerk’s Report for November/December 2018
Wickhambrook Parish Clerk Report for November/December 2018 including change of Parish Clerk, Litter Pick (postponed), Planning, next Parish Council meeting dates and Christmas…
Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown – Hero or Hooligan?
A joint meeting of Wickhambrook’s Horticultural and Local History Societies on the 19th October was asked to decide! A packed W.I. Hall of members were informed and entertained by the man himself – in contemporary dress, complete with wig. Actually it was Michael Brown, well known speaker and writer on Garden History.
Round East Anglia on a Bus Pass
You never know from month to month what to expect from a W.I. meeting and this September’s meeting was a case in point. Entitled “The First Military Surgeon” with speaker Carol Pook, it was an unknown subject to most present but from the very start Carol had us hooked with the true-life story of Dr James Barry, who rose through the ranks of the British army in the mid 1800’s to the rank of Surgeon General…
Wickhambrook Outdoor Bowls Club
article submitted by Sonya ThorburnWith the end of the season now upon us we have concentrated our efforts on tidying the grounds ready to re-awaken for the 2019 season which starts in April. There are many plans afoot for the new season and we are in discussion with...
Save this special date!
On Sunday 11th November 2018 the country will be celebrating 100 years since the end of the First World War. Wickhambrook will be celebrating too, and we have planned an exhibition in the WI Hall of anything to do with the war. If you have maps, medals, trench art, photographs or letters we would love to hear from you in the hope that you will feel able to share them with us.
History Society Antiques Roadshow
The September meeting always has a ‘back to school’ vibe after our excellent summer outings and it was a very enjoyable evening.
Miriam Stead talked on ‘Tea for the British’ and included many local references in her talk and photographs…
The Rise and Fall of Rougham Hall
On Wednesday 19th September four members of Wickhambrook WI joined a larger group of West Suffolk WI members on a walk through the Rougham Estate to visit the old Rougham Hall. We all met up initially at Blackthorpe Barn where we were first given a very interesting and detailed history of the house and grounds…
History Society Tea for the British
The September meeting always has a ‘back to school’ vibe after our excellent summer outings and it was a very enjoyable evening.
Miriam Stead talked on ‘Tea for the British’ and included many local references in her talk and photographs…
The First Military Surgeon
You never know from month to month what to expect from a W.I. meeting and this September’s meeting was a case in point. Entitled “The First Military Surgeon” with speaker Carol Pook, it was an unknown subject to most present but from the very start Carol had us hooked with the true-life story of Dr James Barry, who rose through the ranks of the British army in the mid 1800’s to the rank of Surgeon General…
Horticultural Society visit to Depden Care Farm
Photos from Wickhambrook Horticultural Society evening visit to Depden Care Farm, a local smallholding charity…
Aware, Alert and Alive
Personal Safety was the theme of the August meeting with Jeanette Moser sharing her tips and demonstrating techniques to make us Aware, Alert, and Alive! …
Wickhambrook Outdoor Bowls Club
Wickhambrook Outdoor Bowls Club has recently received funding from the Parish Council to enable it to support the voluntary maintenance work at the green already undertaken by club members. The club had an extra-ordinary meeting to discuss the use of the funds and a new Chairman and Secretary were elected…
Parish Clerk’s Report for September/October 2018
Wickhambrook Parish Clerk Report for September/October 2018 including Litter Pick, Sports Club Support, Hedges, VAS update, Defibrillators, Recent Planning Applications, next Parish Council meeting dates and farewell but not goodbye…
Visit to 100th Bomb Group Memorial Museum at Thorpe Abbots
For their July outing, the History Society visited the 100thBomb Group Memorial Museum at Thorpe Abbots near Diss. The very well restored buildings and the display of artifacts such as uniforms, photographs and medals are well worth the trip to this small museum in the middle of fields of grain…
Community Engagement Officer
In June, Suffolk Police created nine Community Engagement officers, covering all the policing sectors across Suffolk. I am one of these CEO’s and I cover the Sudbury and Haverhill sectors…
Wickhambrook Flower Show 2018
It was a very hot day for our Flower Show this year on Saturday 14th July (one of the many very hot days we have been having this long hot Summer). We had wondered if the number of our entries would be down, not only because of the intensive heat but also the fact that we had had no measurable rain since early May. However, our fears were dispelled on the Wednesday evening prior to the Show when we had more entries than last year and also new people who were entering…
Talk on the Village Defibrillator
Perhaps you have observed the appearance of yellow boxes adorning the outside walls of village halls, schools, Post Offices, leisure centres or other public buildings over the past few months. One has attached itself to the Memorial Social Centre in Wickhambrook so the ladies of the W.I. decided to investigate this phenomenon further. To this end our guest at the July meeting was Martin Render from The Community Heartbeat Trust who let us in on the wonders of the yellow box…
Mental Health Services – Have your say!
People living in east and west Suffolk are being urged to have their say about local mental health services as part of a unique engagement opportunity. The NHS Ipswich & East Suffolk and NHS West Suffolk clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) want to transform the way mental health provision is delivered across the county. In order to do that, they first need to find out how effective the people who deliver and receive the current services think they are…
Wickhambrook is waking up!
While working on the refurbishment of Pump Cottage in Coltsfoot Green, local builder Nick Jolland discovered a painted board being used for paneling an understairs cupboard. It is painted, with some skill, with the words ‘Wickhambrook is waking up’..
W.I. Literary Lunch 2018
Those attending the annual 9th Literary lunch hosted by the ladies of the two Wickhambrook W.I. Reading Groups enjoyed a delicious buffet including some yummy home baked desserts in the company of author Rosy Thornton, author of Sandlands from East Suffolk…
W.I. Members Meeting 2018
The committee had a rest this month and several members organized and presented for the evening. After President for the night Deidre Smith had dealt with any business of the Institute, she along with Joyce Draycott, Angela Cross, Thelma Farrow, Wendy Mansfield, Jackie Merry and Veronica Ditchburn presented The House of Wickhambrook Wacky Designer Fashion Show…
Wickhambrook Carnival 2018
The ‘walking procession’ will leave Wickhambrook Primary Academy playground at 12.30 led by the Bury St Edmunds Sea Cadets Marching Band. This will take a short route through the village, approx 1.2 miles, and back to the MSC recreation ground. Those not wishing to walk the full route can join the procession at The Greyhound. Please come along and join in the fun…
Lackford Lakes visit
Twelve members and walking group friends spent an afternoon at Lackford Lakes Reserve in the company of Suffolk Wildlife Trust’s Will Cranstoun. In February Will gave a talk at the WI meeting so this was a follow-up visit and was thoroughly enjoyed by all…
Visit to Landguard Fort, Felixstowe
Sixteen members and friends spent a beautiful day in the Felixstowe area, visiting Landguard Fort , the Nature Reserve and the town…
![Mystery Casualties [Solved]](https://wickhambrook.org/wp-content/uploads/History-Society-BFP-Mason-400x250.png)
Mystery Casualties [Solved]
Solved thanks to History Society member Tony Pringle… Does anyone have any local knowledge on this…
Parish Clerk’s Report for July/August 2018
Wickhambrook Parish Clerk Report for July/August 2018 including Biscuit Barrel Award, Annual Parish Meeting report from May, Annual Parish Council Meeting, Defibrillators, Skate Park and Litter Pick news, a Welcome Bench, Recent Planning Applications and next Parish Council meeting dates…
Wickhambrook Surgery Exhibition
During the week commencing 2nd July 2018 we, the Patient’s Group and Practice Staff of Wickhambrook Surgery, plan to have a small exhibition in the waiting room at the Surgery celebrating 70 years of the NHS…
Christian Aid 2018
Together we’re stronger than the storms. This year’s event was held as usual at Wickhambrook Methodist Church as a Sunday afternoon joint service at 3pm and was organised by Wickhambrook Churches Together.
Old Sweats in Wickhambrook
This photo is definitely a group from the WW2 Royal Observer Corps and the owner thinks it may be from the Wickhambrook area. Does anyone recognise these fine chaps?…
Flower Show Schedule 2018
You can download your free 2018 Flower Show Schedule. The schedule includes your entry sheet which you should complete and hand in on Wednesday 11th July 2018 at the W.I. Hall between 6.30pm and 8.30pm…
Country Life in the Time of Gainsborough, Constable and Austen
Our last meeting in the hall for this year was entitled Country Life in the Time of Gainsborough, Constable and Austen. By showing some well-known paintings and linking them to events in Jane Austen’s novels, Martin Roper gave us a fascinating look at the way art and literature are linked to history…
Wickhambrook Remembers
To mark the centenary of the Armistice, we have been asked by some residents of the village to hold an exhibition of memorabilia on Sunday 11th November 2018 in the WI Hall, which of course is also now 100 years old. It will coincide with the Remembrance Service which is held every year at the War memorial in the Cemetery at 11am. We would like to have memorabilia from anyone who would like to share their family’s stories. Do you have photos? Diaries? Medals? Trench Art?…
2018 Recipient of the Alf Hicks Biscuit Barrel Award
The recipient of the Biscuit Barrel in 2018 for services to Wickhambrook is Mr Roger Medley. The Parish Council voted overwhelmingly for Roger to receive the award…
Hello and welcome to Wickhambrook Tennis Club for 2018
With the warm weather finally showing its face Tennis can be back on the fitness agenda again…
2018 W.I. AGM & Resolutions
Another year enjoyed, another A.G.M. and the return of Dorothy Anderson as Wickhambrook President after thanking and congratulating Hilary Bradfield on her last three successful years at the helm of the Institute…
Plane Crash in Spring Wood
Did you know that in 1942, a German plane came down in Spring Wood, Genesis Green, near where the mast is now?…
2018 Annual Report from County Councillor Mary Evans
Thank you for inviting me to your annual parish meeting. It was an honour last May to be re-elected as the County Councillor for Clare. I hugely appreciate the trust and confidence you have placed in me and will do my utmost to live up to it. As you know, I always strive to be candid with you so you won’t be surprised when I start this annual report by talking about highways – and more specifically potholes…
Save the date Wickhambrook Carnival 14th July
Procession update, we would love to have a procession again this year if you are interested in participating in a procession please get in touch without entries we can’t make a procession. The Theme this year is BOOK CHARACTERS, its a walking procession so no need to find vehicles…
Wickhambrook walk including Baxters Green
This circular walk heads north of the village and makes use of the green lanes in that area. Total mileage is between 6 miles and 7 miles and will take around three hours at gentle pace. The circuit is best undertaken in the drier months. It is also enjoyable in the winter, just a bit more of a challenge. For reassurance take Explorer map 210 Newmarket & Haverhill with you…
Walk around Wickhambrook
This walk around Wickhambrook was first published in April 2005 and was the first of, what eventually became, many circular walks in the village and surrounding area. At reasonable pace this one takes around 3 hours and covers about 5 miles…
Wickhambrook Walk
This is the third of a series of local walks being prepared for the Discover Suffolk leaflet. The route sticks mainly to the village centre but includes some countryside stretches, which can be muddy in winter, and four short sections of road…
Parish Clerk’s Report for May/June 2018
Wickhambrook Parish Clerk Report for May/June 2018 including public access defibrillator update, cancelled litter pick, donation to School for play bark, refurbishment of skate park, vacancy for lay member, cemetery update, Annual Parish Meeting, Recent Planning Applications and next Parish Council meeting dates…
Major investment in town centre site is approved
A major investment in the town centre economy in Bury St Edmunds has been agreed by St Edmundsbury Borough Council. Councillors voted in favour of the £6.72 million investment to redevelop 17-18 Cornhill, the site of the former Post Office…
Bringing generations together for market celebration
A community project which will bring generations together, is calling for people to share their old photos and memorabilia of Bury St Edmunds market for a pop up museum next month…
History Society AGM followed by The History of the Town Crier
At the AGM, the present committee was elected to serve for a further year, and we were delighted to have a volunteer to join us. Thank you, John Norton. The Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer reported on a successful year with excellent speakers and outings. Mike Wabe, the Town Crier of Watton was the speaker for the evening…
A Tribute to Derek Redhead, our Wickhambrook Borough Councillor from 1995 to 2015
Family and friends recently gathered on what was probably the wettest day of the year so far to say farewell to Derek Redhead, our Wickhambrook Borough Councillor from 1995 to 2015 who recently passed away at the age of 86…