Media Fish:Felixstowe Radio & Deben Radio

Rosemary Hoppitt talks to Bill Roberts about his book just published on forty Suffolk country houses which have been lost during the 20th century. Some have gone due to fire, others through degeneration and demolition as they became unsustainable in the economic and social environment of the period after the Great War. A few gained a reprieve during the Second World War as they were requisitioned by the government, only to succumb soon afterwards.

The houses covered by the book are: Acton Place, Assington Hall, Barking Hall, Barton Hall, Boulge Hall, Bramford Hall, Branches Park, Bredfield House, Brome Hall, Campsea Ashe High House, Carlton Hall, Cavenham Hall, Chediston Hall, Downham Hall, Drinkstone Park, Easton Park, Edwardstone Hall, Flixton Hall, Fornham Hall, Hardwick House, Henham Hall, Hobland Hall, Holton Hall, Hunston Hall, Livermere Hall, The Manor House Mildenhall, Moulton Paddocks, Oakley Park, Ousden Hall, The Red House Ipswich, Redgrave Hall, Rendlesham Hall, Rougham Hall, Rushbrooke Hall, Stoke Park, Sudbourne Hall, Tendring Hall, Thorington Hall, Thornham Hall, Ufford Place.

Book Review by Rosemary Hoppitt
Lost Country Houses of Suffolk by W. M . Roberts
Published 2010 by Boydell Press, Woodbridge, Suffolk £29.95
ISBN 978 I 84383 523 3

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Mother Knows Best

felixstowe — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 09:16:00 +0000

A short story by M C Dutton

Talking Words Talking Art :: Felixstowe Radio

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Cherri MacGregor

felixstowe — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 18:11:00 +0000

Felixstowe-based artist Cherie MacGregor talks about her work to Jan Candy.

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Maryse Dupain

felixstowe — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 18:07:00 +0000

Felixstowe-based three-dimensional artist Maryse Dupain talks to Jan Candy for Talking Arts

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Noises Off

felixstowe — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 10:24:00 +0000

A brief review of Noises Off by Michael Frayn at the New Wolsey Theatre Ipswich until 13 March 2010 by Jan Candy and Trevor Lockwood

New Wolsey Theatre ::

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Red Capper Interview

felixstowe — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 17:23:00 +0000

I recently interviewed Reb Capper, a quirky singer/songwriter from Ipswich and a diverse and eclectic style of songs. Strong influences of folk, cheeky country and sparkling pop. Songs tell tales of love and heartbreak and topped with a touch of humour.

Reb plays the keys and guitar and mostly performs solo at local gigs but has a core backing band. She gigs locally and in and around Suffolk, Norwich, Essex and further afield with more gigs in London.

Reb writes all her own songs and is a talented and impressive singer/songwriter .

She is a breath of fresh air! Fun and warm and …just lovely! She is also a wonderful performer.

Check her out on myspace.com/rebcappermusic where you can listen to more of her music and check out where she will next be performing.

Thank you Reb – for visiting me that day – and special thanks to our dear techie friend – Paul Nicholas – who put it all together and made it possible.

Tina
Deben Radio

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Sandra Dee

felixstowe — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 16:57:00 +0000

A short story, written and read by M C Dutton

Talking Words :: Felixstowe Radio

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Gerry Marsden

felixstowe — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 16:20:00 +0000

Bob Meadows of Felixstowe Radio talks to Gerry Marsden about his career, the Liverpool Beat, the Beatles and more

Talking Words :: Felixstowe Radio

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Old Ben

felixstowe — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 16:07:00 +0000

Traditional Suffolk story read by Trevor Lockwood

Talking Words :: Felixstowe Radio

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Passport to Happiness

felixstowe — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 15:30:00 +0000

A short story by Marian Coles

Marian Coles :: Felixstowe Radio

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Blue Cross Felixstowe

felixstowe — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 15:06:00 +0000

Cllr Mike Ninnmey discusses the possible closure of Blue Cross Centre in Felixstowe

Trevor Lockwood :: Felixstowe Radio

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Tom Ambridge talks about ‘The Casualties Were Small’

felixstowe — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 14:44:00 +0000

Marian talks to Tom Ambridge whose main career as a research scientist with BT was followed by activities in education, information technology and publishing. His most recent venture, in collaboration with his sister Margaret and other family members, has been the compilation of a book based on the Second World War poetry and diaries of their grandmother, May Hill, complete with many nostalgic photographs.

Marian introduces the programme by reading the book’s title poem, The Casualties Were Small, in which May expressed anxieties about her son Ron who had joined the RAF, a theme which recurred throughout the diaries. Tom (pictured below with Margaret and May’s daughter Jean) describes how the discovery of May’s writing prompted a project of transcription and research involving an extended family and members of a small village community. The setting was the coastal area of Lincolnshire which, with its RAF airfields, naval bases and billeted soldiers, had much in common with wartime Suffolk.

The programme includes readings of a variety of poems and diary extracts. As well as recording local incidents, including a dramatic attack on the village by enemy aircraft heading for a major target, May had much to say about the wider issues of the war. She was incensed by the tragic bombing of a school; she questioned the bell-pealing celebration of a victory when some families would be mourning losses; she empathised with suffering civilians on the other side in a poem which was a prayer for peace. In addition to eloquence, sensitivity and faith, May had a wonderful sense of humour and a strong spirit, revealed in a description of a visit from a cantankerous aunt and in a heartfelt poem about ‘Council Houses’.

The book has been described as a charming but moving historical record of the times – in favourable feedback from readers of all ages ranging from pensioners whose memories have been stirred, to a French university professor of history and children inspired by school projects. It has been added to the reference collection at the Imperial War Museum, London.

The Casualties Were Small by May Hill, edited by Tom Ambridge and Margaret Ambridge, is available, priced £8.99, from selected outlets. In Woodbridge these include Browsers Bookshop and St Mary’s Church Shop. It can also be ordered (post-free) directly from Tom Ambridge on 01394 385412. Further information, including extracts and readers’ comments, can be found on www.ambridgebooks.co.uk.

Marian Thomas and Tom Ambridge

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Tina visits Michigan Part 2

felixstowe — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 13:58:00 +0000

At the end of October I went to the USA to stay with my good American friends, Bill and Barbara Moreau. They live in a city called Holland in the state of Michigan. I met them fifteen years ago, when they and their 3 children came to live in Campsea Ashe for a year, exchanging their life and homes with the family here in Campsea Ashe.

Bill taught at Farlingaye High School where their two eldest children, Laura and Stephen also attended, whilst their youngest daughter, Jenny, went to Eyke Primary School. Barbara helped out at Eyke School and also shared her quilting skills with local people at Quilter’s Haven.
Every other year since their time here, Bill has organised student exchange trips between the pupils of Farlingaye High School and Hamilton High School in Michigan. Some 150 students have since taken part in this exchange trip – proving to be a wonderful opportunity for young people to experience life both here and in the States, and certainly I know that Bill, on behalf of Hamilton High School, is extremely grateful to the Headmistress of Farlingaye High School, Ms Hardigan, for for her ongoing support for these exchange trips.

I had a wonderful time and I dedicate this programme to all those people in Holland who welcomed me so warmly.

But most of all I dedicate this to Bill.

He knows why. Thank you Bill.

Tina

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Tina visits Michigan Part 1

felixstowe — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 13:52:00 +0000

I had a wonderful time and I dedicate this programme to all those people in Holland who welcomed me so warmly.

But most of all I dedicate this to Bill.

He knows why. Thank you Bill.

Tina

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Mother Black Cap Interview by Annabel Barry

felixstowe — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 16:47:00 +0000

Annabel Barry talks to Iain Jackson, lead singer of the progressive rock band, Mother Black Cap, about their music, recent live festival appearances and exciting plans for the future.

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Aimee Wallace Interview

felixstowe — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 11:52:00 +0000

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