Programme for 2025
Unless otherwise stated, our meetings begin at 7.30pm at Wesley Hall, School Rd, Elmswell, IP30 9EE
9 January 2025: Members’ Evening – a selection of members’ own researches, being three short talks about (1) Newmarket, (2) History of the Co-op, and (3) An Unusual 1950s Childhood.
13 February: Mike Walker, “The 1173 Siege of Haughley Castle & Battle of Fornham“. This was a decisive royalist victory over an army commanded by rebel English barons. Dr Walker is an experienced and well-regarded speaker who studied history at university and taught at various educational establishments until his retirement to Suffolk, since when he has been a regular contributor to BBC Radio Suffolk on local history topics. This talk brings to life these little-known but crucial local events, restoring to prominence this previously overlooked battle as a turning point in King Henry II’s eventual victory in the Great Revolt. Copies of Dr Walker’s book will be on sale after the talk, so do join us then for what promises to be an enthralling evening.
13 March: Don Mobley, “U.S. Military Aviation in East Anglia“
10 April: Our 25th Anniversary Meeting & Celebratory Party. Speaker Lydia Franklin, “Saving Britain’s Heritage over the Past 50 Years, focussing on East Anglia”
8 May: Claire Jowitt, “The 1682 Shipwreck of HMS Gloucester off the Suffolk Coast”
12 June: 7pm, AGM, then Neil Instrall, “The MIDDY Railway“
July: Summer Outing, TBC