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Written Records

July 2000

The worldwide family has reached 83 members, well on way to the target of 100 by Christmas. Thank you all for your recruitment efforts and a particular thank you to those American members who sent me photographs of the housing at Feltwell following my appeal last month. Special thanks must go to Doreen Gineil (nee Sparrow), Toni Burr and Geanie McManners who have provided most of the photos for this months update. Details of the additions to the site can be found on the 'What's New' page of site 1 and new members are listed on the 'Family' page.

The serialisation of the Howlett family history as told by Pearl Mann in the village magazine is being very well received by all readers. I hope you are also enjoying it, part 3 is live from the end of the month.

The weather here in Feltwell has been dreadful for so long that I cannot remember the last time the sun shone! Everyone is depressed by it and you can imagine what the farmers are saying! I'm beginning to think that grey is the new colour of the sky! However, it hasn't stopped village events from going ahead. The Church Fete was very successful with over £1000 being raised, so I've been told and the Mother and Toddlers Group annual Teddy Bears picnic on the playing field went off without either rain or sun, but at least it was dry and the youngsters enjoyed themselves. The Millennium Quilt was displayed for the first time in its permanent home at St Mary's. Apologies for my error over displaying the photo on the site, I uploaded the photo but forgot to do the page that contained it! I will shortly be removing it because Susan has now uploaded a fully detailed Millennium Quilt page. I urge you all to visit 'Feltwell Today' and have a look, it's very good.

Apart from finishing the school timetable in time for the end of term and being able to sleep again, the highlight of my month was the visit I made to Don and Liz at the Old Rectory. I went with Ken Stowell to have a look around and my initial impression was what a magnificent house it must have been in its heyday. Don expects that it will take the best part of two years before they will be able to live in it and even then in only a bit of it. There is a great deal of dry rot which needs treating, dozens of false walls and ceilings which will need removing and even lead pipes! Good luck! I look forward to seeing the finished renovation. Don asked me to ask you all if anyone has any knowledge of photographs of the inside the house? Also does anyone know the whereabouts of any descendants of either the Rev. O'Rorke or Rev. Sparkes?

Another highlight was the Bingham Quartet performing in St Mary's. Stephen and Brenda Bingham are professional musicians, both highly talented and have lived in Feltwell for nearly two years. This was the first time that their quartet has played in the village and the audience were certainly not disappointed. I was in awe of the talent displayed and my wife was moved to tears by one particular piece. I hope that it will not be too long before they play for us again.

Requests received this month for which your help is needed:

1. The website address of Katrina and the Waves. This is from me and I know I could go and search for it but, quite frankly, I don't have the time as I'm working flat out on Site 3.

2. Sarah Ann Curry nee Flatt is being sought by Alan Benson who is interested in info. about the Flatt and Simon families. Have a look at his family site for photographs of family members. The link is on the Links page (where else would it be!)

3. Rod Mckenzie in New Zealand is interested in Flying Officer Alfred Owen Wells who was killed in a flying accident (as an instructor pilot) on the 22nd February 1950, while with 3 FTS. Can anyone help him? Email me for Rod's email address.
4. Bruce and Jenny Rudland are still struggling with their Rudland line but cannot link it conclusively to the Feltwell Rudlands. (They asked so nicely that I'm even going to go and try to photograph the Rudland graves in the cemetery for them. Perhaps I'll do it at midnight!)
5. Mo Fleetwood, not a Feltwellian, wrote, 'I have recently discovered that my Grandfather was in the Special Auxiliary unit in the Lyme Regis Bay area. As you most probably know this was a extremely secret part of the Home Guard. I have been led to believe that the Special Auxiliary Unit members have been awarded a medal. Unfortunately I am unable to find any reference to this medal.' Does anyone have any info. or pointers on where Mo could look next?

July 2000 Quilt

Sent: Sunday, July 02, 2000 10:15 AM

Subject: An extra special treat from Feltwell

At 10am this morning, 1/7/2000, the Feltwell Millennium Quilt was unveiled to the public for the first time in St Mary's Church. The quilt has been designed and stitched by the Alveva Quilters, a Feltwell based group. At 10.15pm tonight I put a photo of the quilt onto the website. Enjoy it whilst I have web space available to store it in as it is a 158K file. If you can cope with the download time the result is something rather special. Susan, who webmasters Feltwell Now will be doing a more detailed presentation and explanation on her site I'm sure.

Access to the photograph is via the Chronology page for 2000-2001 on Site 2.