Best Small Town 2005

TODAY’S WEATHER

INSHORE WEATHER

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Hi. I have many memories of Saxmundham in the 1960's when my family lived at Sweffling. I remember buying Matchbox, Corgi, & Dinky model cars at Coppings shop in the Market Place. I remember buying my first pop record "Have I the Right" by The Honeycombs (1964) at Hubbards shop - also in the Market Place. The car park at Hubbards had old barns around it with adverts for Pauls animal feeds, etc. I  can remember a tobacconists shop on the High Street, run by an elderly couple, that also had a gent's barbers shop in the back room. Both Ashfords, Martin Brothers, and some other shops, are now a thing of the past that I remember well.
The High Street was so busy, that it was quite a job to get across it. My Auntie worked at Rossiters Bakery shop at the top of Albion Street (now someone's house) in the early 1960's I even recall the old footbridge at the rail station, along with W.H Smith newsagents kiosk.

I came back to the area in the 1980's for a while, and used to enjoy buying old valve radio sets at the outdoor auction - its a shame that this outdoor auction had to finish.

Regards, Mike Horne, W. Yorks.

I found your site when looking for information about England. Very nice and informative. I made a link from my website, so everyone can enjoy it. You can find my website at: http://jkersten.topcities.com

Greetings from Holland,  Jan Kersten

Hi, my name is Ian Shawcross.

Although the Saxmundham archeological finds are really interesting it would appear that we had already left the region.

My family moved from Stockport sometime in the late 1950’s to Sweffling Hall, Suffolk, that at the time was owned by my Uncle Jim Underwood, who rented us Hall Cottage. After a while we relocated to Rendham Cottage, where we stayed until the family moved to America in 1967. My father George Arthur Shawcross was a foreman Electrician at GA Hubbard’s in Saxmundham and my Mother Jean Shawcross managed Rossiters Bakery (unsure of the correct spelling) also in Saxmundham. My brother and I attended both Rendham Primary and Saxmundham Modern Schools. I have wonderful memories of this time in my life and am interested in connecting with my school mates. If you remember me, contact me at (shawcros@idworld.net)        

We lived in England in the Aldeburgh area in the 70's and my Dad purchased a roman sword that was found at an archaeological site in Saxmundham area.  I have a copy of an article from the paper at the time and it states "Hundreds of archaeological finds from the Saxmundham area are on display in the most unusual setting - Saxmundham branch of the Midland Bank"  The article pictures Mr. Maurice Campen explaining come of the exhibits to the branch manager, Mr. David Johnson.

What I am looking for is any information on this exhibit.  If you have anything could you please email or send information to Catherine Burleigh, 1206 Hayes Avenue, Norfolk, NE  68701.  Thank you for your assistance. Cate.

Hi. I am Michael Horne. My family lived in Sweffling, near Saxmundham from 1963 to 1967. We had relatives that lived at Rendham, who had previously lived near Sweffling Hall. We used to come down to Suffolk in the late 1950's/early 1960's for holidays, from Cross Gates in Leeds. My (now late) father, Denis, worked at Hubbards Radio & T.V servicing, which was situated behind the Market Place car park is now. My uncle, George Shawcross (now late), worked as an electrician at Hubbards. My father later worked on A.W.R.E Orfordness until 1967. My family lived at Rose Cottage, Sweffling until 1967, and my brother, sister & myself went to the former Rendham Primary school from 1963 to 1967. I have many fond memories of my stay in Suffolk.

If you remember me from that time, you can e-mail me at

mike@jhorne62.freeserve.co.uk

Hello, my name is Bobby Shoulds. 

My wife and I and two children lived in the Air Force housing in Saxmundham.  We really loved England and our time there in Suffolk.  Both of my children started their school in Saxmundham.  My son went to preschool and year two of primary school in the school in Sax.  My daughter only went to preschool.  We had very good British friends there, Terry, Ann and their children Kiernan and Natalie.

From Dave White

I lived in Saxmundham from 1969-1971 as a son of a USAF NCO.  We rented Torrington House (wonder if it's still haunted), in Chantry Lane.  Wonderful times, great memories of Saxmundham and the great friends I made while there. Anyway, I recall that during that time, a parking lot was being constructed.

During excavations, they broke thru into what appeared to be a large, brick-lined tunnel that appeared to be roughly aligned from Leiston to Framlingham.  Apparently it was filled in immediately and the parking lot was completed. I was away at school when this happened, so can't confirm the details from first hand knowledge . . .  do you or any of your readers happen to know anything about it?

Hello, my name is Joe Wommack, and after viewing a web site from Linn Barringer, I was very impressed with his web, we have been in contact a few times.

However, my wife and I were viewing Saxmundham and it brought back fond memories, for we lived there for almost four years: at the bottom of Mile Hill, #3 Kelsale Cottage. We rented from a Mr. Bush, a very nice fella. Miss those fish and chips. We also rented some things from Ashfords there. Will be viewing more on Sax.

Sincerely, Joe and Betty Wommack.

Hi, My name is Vicki Sedlak, and my husband and I used to live in Halesworth. He was in the Air Force, and stationed there in 1989-1992. 

We have some terrific memories of shopping in Sax, and had friends live in the housing that was there.  Is that base housing still standing?  If so, who lives there now?  Just locals?  We have been married for 14 years, and have 3 kids.  We plan to bring them to England, and to Sax when we visit, so they can see where we started our marriage.  I have seen the www.bentwaters.org site. This is sooo wonderful to be able to go back in time, and see things that you can't easily get to any more. 

We are back in the states, now, but miss England so! Thanks for any info on Saxmundham you can provide.          Vicki S.

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