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February 2001
The new Feltwell site - Millennial Feltwell - is up and running. To access it click on http://www.feltwell.org.uk I must warn you, however, that it is very different to the existing sites as I wanted a more modern feel for what is a photo rich site about Feltwell as it is today. The site follows the same 'Tour' concept of site one with a few additional 'off-shoot' pages. The tour is currently not that long but is obviously set to grow, particularly when the weather improves and I can get out with the camera. I also intend to cross link both tours but currently the 'Yesteryears' links are not active even if the buttons are there! Do have a look and let me know what you think (he says in trepidation). The site received its worldwide launch (!) at the H & A Society AGM meeting on the 19th January where it was warmly received. It seems as though a 'Feltwell on the Internet' presentation is becoming the norm for the AGM as this is the third one I've done at this time of year. I must thank Dave for his assistance at the keyboard and apologise for keeping him up so late. The members wanted to do the whole 'old' tour and, as you might guess, there were many memories being recited and, I'm glad to say, an awful lot of previously unknown people identified. I was particularly thrilled that Robert Walden bothered to drive all the way from Saffron Walden to meet me and be at the launch. Thanks, Robert, it was much appreciated, as has been your support and encouragement over the years. I must also thank Paul Whiteside who has generously provided me with access to Feltwell.org.uk. Without this the new site would still be sitting on my computer unavailable to anyone.
Having reached our target of 100 members by the New Year the family continues to grow with several new applicants being added this month.
The last couple of weeks have not only been very busy with work but have yielded up some most interesting old documents. Firstly, Mr Gerald Harrison, related to the Walkers, who has in the last few months got very interested in his ancestors, turned up an old RAF Feltwell 'Welcome' booklet from the time when Feltwell was a Thor missile site. This booklet will be appearing on site 2 over the coming months. In addition Tim O'Rorke has kindly sent me copies of letters from his great grandmother Lucy O'Rorke, wife of the Rev. O'Rorke, concerning the 'Feltwell Strike'. They provide a most interesting insight to this event and, if Tim approves, I hope to add them to the site as well. The future seems to be shaping up into a busy one. Shame that one's body demands to sleep at regular intervals!
Finally, before I sign off, some of you may be aware that the WW2 fighter ace Johnnie Johnson, who lived in Hill House, has recently died. Several of our older villagers remember him and they all remarked about his prowess with a rifle, particularly those who went shooting hares with him on the fen.
