|
|
June 2002
Like thousands of villages throughout the country Feltwell had its Jubilee events last weekend. Saturday night saw a Jubilee disco in the Millennium Barn courtesy of Judith and Edwin Porter and the Social Club held a Family Fun Day on the Monday. Both events being well received by all who attended. On Monday night we were lucky enough to be invited to a 'Beacon Lighting' or, to be more accurate, a barbecue with a bonfire. As the Beacon was on the hill behind the Base we could see fireworks from Mildenhall and I'm sure we spotted another bonfire towards Methwold Hythe. Many houses and gardens are decorated with flags, whether for the Jubilee or for the England football team I'm not always sure but they do bring a carnival feeling to the village. And to top it off the weather was brilliant with glorious sunshine throughout the weekend.
Other items worthy of a mention include the departure after 7 1/2 years of Ian Smith, the Choirmaster and Organist from St Mary's. Ian is moving on to pastures new but his contribution has been immense and he will be greatly missed. The running of the Choir has been taken on by Brenda Bingham, a professional musician and village resident. Sports news this month begins with congratulations to Denny Wright, Monty Curtis and Graham Jordan who won the Indoor Lakenheath Triples. The under 16s football team finished mid-way in their league. This will be their last season together and special thanks must go to Peter Procoppio and David Grass for their work with Feltwell Junior teams throughout the last 10 years. It is now, as in all things, time for the next generation to step forward and take their turn in charge.
Building work in the village continues apace and when complete I'll be posting new photographs on the website. The Mill site development on Wilton Road should be first.
Additions and alterations to the website this month focus on Site 3 with new photographs of Hall Drive, Newcombe Drive, Green Lane, Paynes Lane, Short Lane, Crabbes Close and a new St Mary's daytime picture. School has just bought a new digital camera so you will see a big improvement in image quality - I'll redo some of the poorer pictures eventually. Site 1 has 2 new photos, one of High Street and one of the Old Forge in The Beck. I've also redesigned the Home Page, hope it works.
New members this month includes: -
Sharon Mountford - researching the Palmer family,
Katherine (Patty) Thompson - lived in Denton's Lodge in the early 50s,
Colin King - researching Killingworths,
Jeff Dempsey - a regular Feltwell visitor with relatives in the village,
Brenda Masters - ggggrandmother was Mary LAWS born 1777.
Long-term members will know that I only reprint emails when something quite special has come to light - the original authors say it much better than I could. Three special emails received this month are worthy of duplication. The first is from Philip Rusted -
"On the website you have recently posted 4 photos. One of the photos shows a march past. I am pretty sure that this photo was taken in 1944 and shows General Le May saluting a guard of honour on the occasion of the presentation of The Soldier's medal (a US decoration) to my father Cliff Rusted. My father was in the RAF and was based at Feltwell at this time. He was awarded the medal for rescuing some US airmen from an aircraft that had crashed near Wetheringsett. My father will be 80 on June 3 and has just celebrated his 57th wedding anniversary with my mother who was also based at Feltwell during the war. If anyone remembers any particular anecdotes about Feltwell during this period or if anyone remembers either my father or mother (Joyce Mason) I shall be pleased to hear from them."
Email number two comes from Sheila Scott Byrne -
"My father Peter Doig Scott, was a rear gunner and gunnery instructor for the 214 Squadron based at RAF Stradishall in 1940. His Log shows he travelled to Feltwell on 23 July 1940 in Wellington L-4338 piloted by P/O Perioli. One of his war photos is the one I've included. On the back he has written: John Skelly "Dan-a-Meenit" July 1940 RAF Feltwell
I know nothing more about John Skelly but if he was based at Feltwell at that time perhaps someone might have some information. It's a lovely photo and I'd be willing to have copies made for John Skelly's family if we can locate them." (I hope to have the photo, together with the main update, on line by the weekend)
The third and final email is from Caroline Kesseler (nee Waterfall) -
"My Uncle, Sgt. John Henry Waterfall was a radio operator and air gunner on a Wellington based at Feltwell, Squadron 37. He joined the RAF in Jan 1939, and was awarded the DFM in May 1940, having shot down a Messerschmitt 109, and severely damaging a M.110. He was killed on the night of 6/7 July 1940, when his plane failed to return from duties to Bremen. It was shot down over Jever in Germany. He was laid to rest at the British Military Cemetery, Oldenburgh, Germany. It would be nice to see him mentioned on the Feltwell pages, as his family think of him often"
Now that's given me an idea!
