The delights of town put in the national spotlight - The Bury Society
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
Roundabouts Future for Ghost tours sponsors deal the meadows are a success Page 2 Page 7 Page 11 SocietyReview Winter 2019 The delights of town put in the national spotlight The Abbey Gardens with the Cathedral in the background, one of the many delights of Bury St Edmunds. The delights and attractions of Bury The town also made international Bury’s claims to fame include being St Edmunds have been hitting the news as the place Channing Tatum home to the Pillar of Salt – the first headlines. and Jessie J are settling down. internally illuminated road sign in Renowned for its wonderful food Claudia Schiffer and Matthew the UK. The sign, which looks like outlets and history the town has been Vaughn are also fans, with a Tudor a salt cellar and was built in 1935, featured in national newspapers over mansion in nearby Stanningfield, stands between the Abbey Gate and the past few months. while celebrities including Angelina the Angel Hotel. The Times and Metro both ran Jolie have stayed at The Angel Hotel. The Abbey Gardens are an ideal articles on the joys and special draw Some of the benefits of the town place to wander on a sunny day – of the town for visitors. include the many food and drink out- they contain many beautiful beds, Tens of thousands of people were lets and The Nutshell which is famed individual walled gardens and the expected to flock to the annual Bury for being the smallest pub in Britain, ruins of the Abbey of St Edmund, St Edmunds Christmas Fayre which although the taxidermied animals on consecrated in 1095. each year attracts huge numbers. the wall may not be for everyone. Continued on Page 4
Plenty to cheer for the town at
Anglia in Bloom awards event
This was a great achievement in a Irvine, who lives at Moreton Hall,
year of changes in the organisation. has been appointed and already has
In addition, the town received the his feet firmly under the table.
following awards: I am sure that David’s enthusiasm
Community Project Special Award: and personality will make him an ex-
Michelle Freeman of Crafty Foxes cellent co-ordinator and we all wish
entered a wonderful Cycle of Inspira- him well.
tion which won best in category. Planning has already started for
Large Parks Award: Nowton Park 2020 and I am very hopeful that the
After the judging of Bury St won a gold standard and best in enthusiasm, interest and energy of
Edmunds in the Anglia in Bloom category. the people of this beautiful town will
competition in July we waited with Historic Parks and Gardens: bring us more good results.
bated breath for the prize giving Abbey Gardens were awarded a Meanwhile, there are two of our
in September at Burgess Hall, in silver gilt standard. roundabouts awaiting sponsorship.
St Ives. We were in new territory The best overall entry and winner The Flight of Peace roundabout at the
because this year, instead of our entry of the Anglia in Bloom Trophy was junction of Mount Road and Lady
being in the category of Large Town, Hunstanton. Miriam Way is available as a superb
for reasons that are not really clear At the end of a hectic year culmin- advertising opportunity, as is the
but which were connected with pop- ating in the Gold Award for Bury St “Grain” roundabout at the junction of
ulation numbers, we were entered in Edmunds, our co-ordinator Stephen Kings Road and Parkway.
the Cities category with Norwich and Moody resigned from the position. If you are interested, please contact
Kings Lynn. After a selection process which David Irvine on coordinator@buryin-
We were delighted to be awarded a involved 65 applicants for the job, I bloom.org.uk
Gold standard by the judges. am very pleased to report that David Robin Burnett
Sponsorship set for two roundabouts
At the beginning of October 2019 by Anglia in Bloom this autumn for
we had four roundabouts looking the 2020 competition means we need
for sponsorship and I’m pleased to to change our perspective a little as
report we are hoping to have two of the Environmental and Community
the four sponsored in the next few scores become bigger elements of the
weeks. overall score.
Camp Tails, a dog day care centre, is We’re looking at a couple of new
taking the Orttewell Road/Symonds Community projects: “Grow a
Road roundabout and we hope a Recipe” that we hope will be picked
water softening company from up by the schools and another called
Haverhill will be taking “With The “Roots in the Community”, (pictured
Grain” at Parkway/Kings Road as left) but this will need some more
soon as they finalise their logo. planning before it goes ahead.
Finding sponsors for the balance as On the environmental front I would
well as some triangle areas that are love to be able to claim we are
free is very high on my “To-Do list”. The certificate recognises their watering some of the baskets for part
The income from our roundabouts support and our gratitude and we of the year using harvested rainwater.
is very important and helps cover hope it will be framed and mounted There are practical problems though,
the organisational costs of Bury in in sponsor’s offices. given both the number of baskets and
Bloom and we remain very grateful I am preparing the certificates for Bury St Edmunds annual rainfall.
for their generous support. signature by the chairmen of both At a rough estimate we would need
Also, for 2019-2020, sponsors will Bury in Bloom and the Bury Society 1,000 litres of water per week – no
be receiving a Bury in Bloom and will be visiting the sponsors over easy feat – but it’s an aspiration.
Certificate, the graphic design for the next month.
which has just been completed. The new marking system introduced David Irvine
2
New co-ordinator of Bury in Bloom
talks of his hopes for group’s future
David Irvine has been appointed very high profile because everybody
as the new co-ordinator of Bury in will see the results.
Bloom and talks about his appoint- After six weeks in the job I’ve
ment and his hopes and aspirations discovered I’m straight in at the deep
for the town. end. In fact I’m not sure there is a
shallow end.
I originate from North Yorkshire and For 2020 the Anglia in Bloom Judges
come from an agricultural business have changed the points system
and commercial background having reducing the horticultural element
begun my career working for (from 50% of the points to 40%) and
Unilever as a fieldsman growing increased the Environmental and
vining peas for freezing and later Community elements (from 25% to
buying onions for the product that 30%).
became “Cup-a-soup”. In other words Environment and
I later joined the company that Community make up 60% of the
became Agrii working as an agron- points system for the judging and
omist (often referred to as a crop that means a shift of focus - but
doctor because everything is done David Irvine. visitors to Bury St Edmunds are still
by prescription) where I looked after ing with people in a goal-orientated interested in colour and
around 8,500 hectares across 20 organisation and I see parallels with vibrancy and our hanging baskets are
arable farms and latterly heading up Bury in Bloom. We want to con- very much appreciated. One of the
a team of agronomists with a £10 tinue winning prizes at the highest two projects we plan to introduce for
million budget. level. 2020 is called “Roots in The Com-
Having recently retired (I am now Picking up the Bury in Bloom munity” which I hope everyone with
69-years-old) I remain energetic and gauntlet is a daunting task because a tree outside their house will get
was looking for a new project when of the massive record of success in involved with, and the other is
the Bury in Bloom co-ordinator role the past, due to the hard work of “Grow a Recipe” for schools to take
came up. Melanie Lesser and latterly of part in. I’m still sorting out the detail
My whole career has involved work- Stephen Moody and of course it’s on both so for now watch this space.
£5,000 donation to astronomy association
The night skies over Bury St has been a feature of the roof line Much research has been completed
Edmunds during October 1858 were above the entrance of the and information gathered, so that we
dominated by Donati’s Comet. By Athenaeum ever since. are now in a position to commence
any standard this was a spectacular The facility was well used for, per- the restoration. When completed, the
display. No doubt it caused excite- haps, half a century, but its use de- observatory will be of great histori-
ment, perhaps even alarm, in the clined with the advent of improved cal and educational value.
town. technology to view the night sky. It will be accessible to the public as
This phenomenon coincided with the Certainly, for the last half well as specialist societies. There
Rev Lord Arthur Hervey of century, it has lain largely unused will also be a live link between the
Ickworth inviting the Astronomer and, importantly, unmodified with telescope and screens in the
Royal, George Biddell Airy, to Bury the result that we have a Victorian Athenaeum Reading Room.
to give a lecture on astronomical gem that is part of the history of The AAA has begun to engage
instruments. Such was the impact of Bury St Edmunds and very worthy specialists to specify the work
the comet and interest in the lecture of restoration. required and to ensure work con-
that it was decided to build an obser- Dr Richard Young formed the Athe- forms to necessary regulations. It is
vatory on the roof of the Athenaeum. naeum Astronomy Association with also in the process of raising funds
With the help of Lord Hervey, funds the aim of restoring the telescope for the project and is very grateful
were raised and the building com- and observatory. The AAA has for the £5,000 committed by the
menced in 1859. The 4 inch refract- become a thriving club for those Bury St Edmunds Society.
ing telescope was operational in the interested in astronomy and holds
domed observatory by 1860, and regular meetings and lectures. Roy Proctor
3
Cullum Collection documents
successfully secured by FOSRO
The Friends of Suffolk Record Office
(FOSRO) is delighted to announce
that it was successful in bidding at
auction for a collection of documents
relating to the Cullum family of
Hardwick House.
The Cullums lived there for almost
three centuries and members of the
family were experts in Suffolk
county history.
The collection FOSRO has bought
includes a three-volume set of diaries
kept by Lady Ann Cullum, the wife
of Sir Thomas Cullum, covering the
period 1854 to 1865. Pictured are members of the Friends of Suffolk Record Office committee
The leather-bound volumes are handing over the Cullum diaries and journals to the Suffolk Archives. From
packed full of delightful insights into left to right Gwyn Thomas, Stephen Dart, Bettyy Milburn, Robert
high-society life in the mid- Houlton-Hart, Robin Sampson (archivist) and Margaret Statham.
nineteenth century.
The eight travel journals written by These are the Suffolk Institute of The collection of diaries and travel
Lady Cullum, also acquired by Archaeology and History, the Suf- journals is now in the Bury St
FOSRO, span the period 1830 to folk Records Society and the Bury Edmunds branch of the Suffolk
1865 and include many fascinating Society. Archives.
details of her grand tours around Several individuals also gave money FOSRO was formed in 1983, when
Europe. towards the cost of the documents. they played a key role in raising
As with many other larger collections We are grateful to all those who £250,000 to buy the Elveden
it has purchased over the years, pledged money, without whom manuscripts, now held at the
FOSRO sought and received finan- FOSRO would not be able to buy so Ipswich branch of Suffolk
cial contributions from a number of many fascinating items of interest to Archives. Since its formation,
other interested organisations. Suffolk local and family historians. FOSRO has purchased many other
fine collections for the Suffolk
Market is historic part of the town Archives.
In many cases these might have
been lost to the county without
Continued from Page 1 The Apex hosts an array of talent their action.
both local and international and For instance they saved the Walton
From the gardens you get beautiful there’s a free art gallery upstairs and Burrell collection of First World
views of St Edmundsbury Cathedral a welcoming café downstairs. War military photographs, the
and its striking Millennium Tower, The Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds manorial records of Waldringfield,
made of limestone from Barnack, is another unmissable location as well as the Shrubland Hall
lime mortar flint and bricks and whether going to a show or taking photographic collection.
completed in 2005. a tour. Built in 1819 it is the last It has also purchased single items,
The Cathedral is hailed as a place to Regency Theatre in Britain and such as a Victorian account book
visit for its gorgeous stained glass amazingly has many of its original of a Lowestoft ship’s chandler and
windows, ornate vaulted ceiling and features intact. a list of subscribers for rebuilding
a brilliant Lego installation – the And an historic part of Bury’s fabric the church tower at Long Melford
building recreated in brick form. is the market which dates back dating from 1711.
Bury St Edmunds Tour Guides to before the time of William the FOSRO has a small, loyal mem-
provide an extensive history of the Conqueror and is held in the Butter- bership who pay a minimum of
town, from its Anglo-Saxon begin- market and Cornhill every Wednes- £12 a year. Further details on mem-
nings and the role of martyred King day and Saturday. Nowton Park is bership and on all of its activities
Edmund to the part it played in the hailed as a pleasant place to stroll, can be found at www.fosro.org.uk
Magna Carta and how it became a with its woodlands, and the mani-
popular Georgian resort, later host- cured gardens of Ickworth House are Sarah Doig
ing everyone from Dickens to Wilde. also worth exploring. Chair of FOSRO
4
Campaigners and Bury Society join
forces as Cornhill Walk plans are axed
The Society spoke at a recent
council planning meeting to voice
its very real concern about the
four-storey development of shops
and 48 flats planned for the empty
Cornhill Walk premises.
We were especially worried about
the scale of development and
suggested the plans demonstrated
little respect for neighbouring Well
Street - which is probably one of
the most delightful streets in the
town.
Some 30 highly vocal campaign-
ers, plus a 300-signature petition,
all helped the objectors’ case and
after lengthy debate the committee
refused the application.
The Society gave its general sup-
port to an application for redevel-
oping the vacant Lloyds Bank
premises on the corner of
Risbygate Street and Parkway
with 49 flats for “retirement
living”.
The plans propose a three/four
storey building with a concierge
office and residents’ lounge and
we felt that this was a sustainable of CO2 emissions on one of the nearby plans to fell nine mature
location within walking distance of town’s busiest inner link roads. sycamore trees behind The Aviary
town facilities. Some good news for the Railway on Raingate Street facing onto The
The appearance is traditional and Station. Crankles.
demonstrates a local context and We wrote in support of an applica- Finally, we wrote in support of the
a huge improvement upon that tion for major repair works to the application to demolish the rear of
proposed two years ago for a much Station Master’s House and so we the Post Office on the Cornhill and
taller building - though we did were pleased when the plans were replace it with a four-storey building
acknowledge the concerns of approved. including 12 flats and two shops.
nearby residents. Also, a Lawful Development Certif- The front facade will be retained
We also commented upon the icate has now been issued for a new and, importantly, the pedestrian link
design for the redevelopment of 74 space car park on the north side, through to the Arc Shopping Centre
part of the former gas holder site at but we suggested that Greater Anglia will be widened (at last).
the junction of Springfield Road re-opens an existing under-rail pas- The application has just been
and Tayfen Road with 215 dwell- sageway to the Cambridge platform approved.
ings including 157 apartments. to avoid a long walk down to Looking to the future, the Society
The Society is unhappy about Fornham Road. attended a pre-application presenta-
replica Victorian warehouses and The Society objected to plans to tion of outline plans to redevelop the
apartment blocks looking more revise an existing approval for the former Ashtons solicitors’ offices, on
like a military garrison and we redevelopment of the vacant Record Guildhall Street.
asked why the town could not be Office car park on Raingate Street. The plans show the Grade I listed
offered a more innovative We suggested the applicant looks to front building designed by Sir John
approach to designing new homes provide a greener solution with Soane divided into two large houses
or eco-houses to inspire the next proper garden space. with rear outbuildings providing
generation. We were also very critical of the four additional smaller properties.
The Society also suggested a revised frontage onto Raingate Street A formal application is expected
“green lung” tree belt alongside and its impact upon neighbours. soon.
Tayfen Road to reduce the impact The Society also objected to Roderick Rees
5
Is it Beodericsworth or Bedericsworth?
After his martyrdom in 869 King
Edmund’s body spent time at a
chapel at nearby Sutton.
He was eventually transferred to a
wooden church in the monastery
founded by King Sigeberht in AD
635 at Bedericsworth between
924-39.
Now this is where the etymology of
the name Beodericsworth varies as
there are different spellings used by
several people at separate times so
nobody can say there is a right or
wrong way for the spelling.
Bedericsworth was superseded by
Bury St Edmunds or St Edmundsbury
in the first half of the 11th century.
The earliest use of the new name
occurs in a will of Thurketel of
Palgrave made very probably before
1038. Some late uses of the old name
The Abbey of St Edmund.
are to be found in Aethelric’s will of
995. The Oxford dictionary of place Beaduricesworth and Robert Eaglen by Benedictine monks from St
names mentions Baederices wirde in used Beadericesworth on pages Benet’s at Holme and Ely a large
945. Strangely this was the same year 9 and 10 of his book “The Abbey rotunda church was built to house
King Edmund of the West Saxons and Mint of Bury St Edmunds” the blessed cadaver.
granted to the monastery here the and Lord Francis Hervey, in “The Soon after this event the town
Banleuca, a grant of land a mile in History of King Eadmund” (note became known as St Edmunds Burh
diameter from Edmund’s shrine. spelling) the Martyr uses Baeder- or Byrig, versions of burgh meaning
To confuse things even further, dis- icswyrthe. a fortified town.
tinguished academic M R James, a With the ousting of secular monks The Latin name of the town was
foremost authority on the abbey, used in 1020 by King Cnut to be replaced Seynt Edmundes Biri the abbey
itself becoming the Abbey of St
Membership of the Society Edmundsbury. Confusing isn’t it?
With the Norman invasion of 1066
is currently a ‘healthy’ 616
the Normans subdued many
areas with castles but here in Bury
St Edmunds there was no need to
have one as the town was already
Thank you for your continued of these for your diary. Further under the control of a French abbot,
support of The Bury Society. details will be circulated nearer the Baldwin.
There are currently a healthy 616 dates and on the website It was he who laid out the grid of
members with a steady stream of www.theburysociety.org.uk the town still evident today making
new applications each month. Your copy of Society Review is it most probably the oldest purpose-
There is no limit on numbers so likely to have been delivered by one ly laid out town in the country.
please encourage friends and of the dedicated team of 17 distribu- In fact, the Domesday book of 1086
neighbours to join, especially anyone tors who venture out in all weathers records that there were 342 houses
new to Bury St Edmunds. The social to drop copies through letterboxes built on land that was previously
events are a good way to get to know in the town. under the plough.
others and encourage a sense of This can be a time-consuming and Many other notable authors and
community. The Bury Society and taxing exercise and our grateful academics have used the two most
Bury in Bloom combination has a thanks go to these women and men, popular variations of the name so
great deal of influence over keeping some of whom are not 100% fit, it would seem whatever takes your
the town beautiful and fending off who give up their time to save the fancy at the time wins.
unsightly planning applications. Bury Society hundred of pounds in If you google Bedericsworth and
The Society Review newsletter has, postage every year. Beodericsworth you get both re-
on the back page, a list of the social Happy Christmas to everyone. ferred to as Bury St Edmunds.
events for 2020. Please make a note Sue Savage Martyn Taylor
6
Future plans for Holywater Meadow
unveiled by the site’s new owners
Bury St Edmunds couple Sarah and
Stephen Gull have purchased
Holywater Meadow in order to
preserve its green space. Here
Sarah speaks of the couple’s delight
at securing its future and their
long-term plans.
Where do you begin if you are lucky
enough to take possession of nearly
15 acres of Watermeadows?
The place is wild, having been left
to its own devices for many years,
yet this has made it a unique area in
Bury St Edmunds, with a variety of
habitats.
There are watermeadows, grazing One of the old railway carriages at Holywater Meadow.
meadows, woodland, and several
old railway carriages. Brambles and much one could do as stewards of land and part of the footpath was sub-
nettles have outstripped many other such a precious space within a town. merged, but after two dry summers
plants, but each time I go there there One option would be to do nothing so far it has stayed dry enough to
is more to see and the geography of and leave the natural world to itself, walk on.
the place is slowly revealing itself but this could miss opportunities for By the end of the winter we hope to
along old hedge tracks still visible learning, teaching and research being have dealt with “emergency” matters:
from the time of Warren’s map in missed. And whilst brambles and a low hanging willow branch, access
1791. nettles have their uses other plants get to gates, and making good some
This is not a project to take on overwhelmed. fencing.
alone. There is plenty of experi- A balance somehow needs to be And you might start to notice some
ence and help available and lots of developed. changes in the plant life.
suggestions have been made, but it We have already involved local As a member of the Guild of Dyers,
somehow needs to be kept in order; groups, including the Bury Water- Spinners and Weavers I am keen on
we bought the land with two main meadows Group, the Bury Society, dye plants. And then? We are won-
objectives in mind: to preserve it Suffolk Organic Society and Suffolk dering about a few sheep or goats,
from further housing development, Wildlife Trust for advice. I have also and the suggestion of a couple of pigs
and to promote biodiversity. approached the Duke of Edinburgh has come up more than once.
There is so much to learn and so award scheme to get young people I have started a blog: https://wild-
involved. meadowsonline.wordpress.com/ to
So how are things going? try to make sense of it all.
Over the past few weeks it has rained If any of you have any suggestions I
fairly constantly and I was hoping to would be most happy to hear them.
see the drains start to fill with water. You can email me at Seg30@cam.
Only three winters ago much of the ac.uk
7
The changing face of business As the festive season gets into full swing, I thought it would be interesting to see how the town centre has changed over the last year, and how the town is faring against local competitors. Not a day goes by without another famous High Street retailer seem- ingly struggling against the tide of sluggish consumer demand, higher rentals and business rates and the almighty internet. The UK is not alone in meeting these challenges, the US has christened their current retail malaise as the “retail apocalypse”- thousands of stores have closed and job losses have been huge. However, to put things into context, the High Street has always evolved and changed as have consumers – gone are the days of the greengrocer, Shoppers in Abbeygate Street, Bury St Edmunds. baker, and ironmonger alongside the more national names, and think for a Edmunds, Bury St Edmunds and We are not immune to the issues minute how many shoe shop chains Beyond and the West Suffolk Coun- but usually the national problems of have disappeared over the years… cil provide an outstanding retailers are just that: a national issue names such as Dolcis, Saxone, FHW, programme of events which are rather than a Bury one. Indeed, the Manfield, Bata, K Shoes, Lilley and always well supported by locals and Bury branches usually survive any Skinner and Stead and Simpson had visitors alike and add hugely to the cull or mass closure, but Ipswich hundreds of branches across the attractiveness of the town. isn’t always so lucky. country but not a single shop remains Retail has certainly changed over We have some high-profile today. the last few years, the mighty vacancies. The former Palmers In Bury itself, we have a huge internet has had an effect on the Buttermarket store is looking a sorry strength that we must try to maintain High Street due to its 24/7 acces- sight and is a very visible reminder – a healthy balance of national names sibility and huge range… indeed of the problems. and a thriving independent sector that the retailers themselves have had to The Palmers company itself has gives us a point of difference from adapt and embrace the net, stores gone - the stores in Great Yarmouth local towns. are increasingly being seen as more and Lowestoft bought by Beales and Our market is also a huge draw as showroom than shop and rising all others closed. is the range of eating and drinking costs mean that less stock is physi- The Bury site isn’t ideal for modern venues. Bury can provide an cally kept in stockrooms on the shop retailers, larger shops are often the “experience” rather than just a premises – hence the rise of next first casualties as the costs of oper- standard range of shops which could day delivery and click and collect. ating are high: look at the problems be anywhere in the country. Bury is faring better than most in of House of Fraser, Debenhams and It goes without saying that the the low level of shop vacancies, the even the once mighty John Lewis. streets of Bury provide a magnificent town is judged by national retailers Palmers old store is also wide and backdrop for visitors and locals to and retail analysts against the likes shallow and the first floor a bit of enjoy all that the town offers, within of Ipswich rather than Stowmarket a warren and although a prominent minutes of the shops you can be en- or Sudbury and in this regard Bury building, the available retail space is joying the Abbey Gardens, museums, is doing well. very limited. cultural events and historic buildings. With my BBC Radio Suffolk retail Cornhill Walk remains stuck in the Other towns look enviously to Bury analysist’s hat on, I am often heard planning system – plans for apart- for the amazing range of events that discussing the issues of the High ments, shops and a gym are currently Bury puts on, practically every week Street and presenter and broadcaster in discussion and the former Job there is something to bring in the Mark Murphy loves nothing better Centre on Cornhill is another highly crowds. than a Bury versus Ipswich visible vacant building. Organisations like Our Bury St discussion. Retail rents are comparatively high 8
in the centre of the town
in Bury and have largely escaped not an easy job as any residential con-
the huge reductions seen across the versions will need street access, waste
country. storage and nearby car parking.
The former Laura Ashley store has a There will also be more focus on
rent of £140,000 per year, and that’s entertainment, experiences and events
before you engage staff, buy stock, – everything that the internet cannot
pay the business rates and open the compete with.
doors. On the whole, we are well placed to
There has also been a churn in the weather these challenging times but
casual dining sector; we recently lost with the understanding that Bury will
Patisserie Valerie and Giraffe, again not be immune. We have a diverse
national company problems rather demographic and excellent tourist
than a Bury one, the sector overall offer and people will always want to
expanded hugely during the boom go out for the day; look at the
years and now finds itself with success of the Christmas Fayre. St
restaurant leases to pay, increasing The former Post Office in the centre Johns Street, Risbygate Street, Hatter
staff costs against lower customer of Bury St Edmunds which is set to be Street and Whiting Street and other
expenditure and an expectation of redeveloped into shops and flats. areas of the town offer a fantastic array
continued offers and discounts. of goods and services and provide that
Bury was one of those towns available to lease with Argos having real experience and customer service
nationally that attracted the chains in residential apartments as part of the that the internet cannot.
abundance due to disposable income mix. Goldsmiths are installing a new Langton Place has developed a niche
and a burgeoning evening economy. shop front as the current “jewel- offer complete with tea room and
The Cupola House thankfully found lery”-style display windows are not artisan baker and our monthly farmers
new tenants and the independent suitable for other types of retailer and market attracts customers from across
dining offer in Bury goes from the hope is that a more flexible shop the region.
strength to strength. We are being front will encourage new tenants to Since the autumn, we have seen a
recognised nationally as a foodie come forward. number of new independent
town which again brings in The former RBS bank building businesses open and there are more to
customers who then discover the remains empty a year after closing; come which proves that Bury is seen
other delights on offer. again, the big banks are moving to a as a vibrant and viable location to
The rise of the betting shop in prime more internet offer and have closed open.
retail areas has been stopped in its hundreds of branches across the Who 20 years ago or so would have
tracks by consolidation in the indus- country, indeed, some towns now foreseen M&S closing 100 shops or
try and the new government controls only have one working bank branch. John Lewis wanting to be an 80%
on in-store betting machines; hun- Bury fortunately has only lost the internet/20% shop business within
dreds of betting shops are closing in RBS and Lloyds, in Risbygate Street, the next five years? Who would have
town centres across the UK. hopefully the remaining bank thought that Boots would be closing
Newmarket will be hard hit as branches will be safe for now. 200 shops, or that Debenhams and
the High Street is full of multiple Looking forward, the former Post House of Fraser would be fighting for
branches of Bet Fred, Ladbrokes and Office building has received planning survival? We have lost Littlewoods,
William Hill, all of whom are closing permission for rebuilding and BHS, Allders, C&A, CO OP Living,
shops down. alteration which will improve the link Woolworths plus a whole host of huge
We have seen the trends of the 1990’s between the Arc Shopping Centre names that no one would ever think
of the mobile phone shop explosion, and Cornhill. It was the financial would disappear.
followed more recently by vaping crash of 2009 onwards that scuppered The old saying stands true - ‘“use it or
shops and coffee shops, the latest the original plans to link the two lose it”. We must try and support the
trend nationally seems to be areas so although late, it will finally local shops, market and food and bev-
Turkish-style barbers of which we be good to open up an inviting walk- erage offer, or they too will succumb
now have a good selection. way with shops/cafés. to the rash of “To Let” signs.
Look to see at least a couple “CBD” Residential will be the next big trend Bury has a very special offer which
shops opening soon, these sell legal- in the town centre with more and has developed over the years. Our rush
ised cannabis resin products and are more people wanting to live centrally to the internet could upset that balance
popping up across the nation. with facilities on hand. so take a minute to think when you
The former Argos and Goldsmiths Retail landlords will need to offset Google your next purchase.
Jewellers shops are having work reduced retail income and adapt the
done to reduce the size of retail space upper floors of shops to residential, Stephen Moody
9
A triumph for the Crypt Kickers What is it that attracts people to a quiz? It’s a mixture of competing (and hop- ing to do well) learning and having a good time. This was evident amongst the 18 teams who turned up for the 2019 quiz on November 7, in the Crypt of St Edmund’s Catholic Church, for a thoroughly enjoyable evening. Planning such an event takes time and participants need to be encour- aged to co-operate. Answer papers and notices have to be printed, the venue’s layout designed, computers programmed, food orders placed, waste disposal considered. The re- sulting slick process meant that people arrived and knew where to sit, their pre-ordered drinks were ready, supper appeared as intended (and the Winning team the Crypt Kickers, consisting of Caroline Holt, Tom Ogden choc ices as an additional treat were and Adrian Tindall. receiving their prize from Martyn Taylor (second left). welcomed), waste bags were filled. The quiz itself was the product of As town guides we might have Even those who did not know the the research of John Saunders and expected them to do well but their answers were able to guess Martyn Taylor and the pace was set performance showed their depth of because the quiz had three options by those who were intent on winning; knowledge. for each question and two of the others jogged along merrily, utter- Celebrating winning £80, Caroline team names were drawn at the end ing phrases such as: “I never knew said: “And thanks from me for such of the evening to each share £20. that,” “I’ve never noticed that,” “I’ve a well organised, challenging and The lively buzz that filled the Crypt walked past that nearly every day and enjoyable evening. It was an excel- clearly showed how much enjoy- not seen it.” lent night, a super venue and I look ment was had and how much fun Many of the answers repeated facts forward to the next one.” there is in being a member of the that Bury Society members would Tom added: “It was a fantastic Bury Society. have picked up at our coffee evening. Thank you for your ef- If you are coming to the next quiz mornings or talks; a few more sneaky forts.” then now is the time to think about ones are often revealed during the The Lightbirds used their swotting up at our events or getting guided tours of the town. knowledge of many years in the ready for next year’s guided tours. We are indebted to the volunteers town, scoring 70 as runners-up and who made the evening such a sharing £40. John Saunders success: Sue Savage who kept the scores updated, Sandie Taylor, Marion O’Donoghue and Betty Saunders who administered the rounds and of course John, Martyn and Terry who projected the quiz onto the screens. They all pitched in to distribute the food in record time. Sometimes we forget that they volunteer their time for the benefit of other members and are worthy of our gratitude. The aptly named Crypt Kickers comprised Caroline Holt, Adrian Tindall and Tom Ogden and they achieved the remarkably high score Bury Society members attending the quiz in the Crypt of St Edmund’s of 78 from a possible 90. Catholic Church. 10
Ghost tours attracting more people
as they mark ninth anniversary
If you’ve ventured out after dark in
the town recently you may have
encountered gaggles of suspicious-
looking souls being guided around
the darker streets of Bury by an even
more suspicious-looking leader in
unusual garb.
You’ve probably guessed already –
the Ghostly and Macabre tours have
returned to grace the darker season.
The tours always take place, no mat-
ter what the elements have on offer to
test the living.
These tours, run by a small team
from the Bury Town Guides, may not
Four of the Ghostly and Macabre tour guides.
be to everyone’s taste nor nerve, but
they have grown to become highly a suitably atmospheric finale. house insulation.
successful since their inception in the You might perhaps fancy taking Should you be tempted, just visit
autumn of 2010. your chances on one of the tours www.burystedmundstourguides.org
Indeed, they are now drawing an this winter and if you do you will and all will be revealed.
audience from much further afield understand, for an example, why so
than Bury itself, for both individuals many walled-up mummified cats are Mike Dean
and groups. discovered in East Anglia. Chair of the Association of Bury
The regular tours take place on a It certainly wasn’t an early form of Tour Guides
Friday evening but bespoke tours can
be mounted for groups at almost any
time, although the standing advice
is to wait until after the sun has been
Bizarre episode from history
laid to rest to gain maximum For a long time Bury St Edmunds
ambience. was allowed to return two Members
The team are proud to confirm that of Parliament to Westminster and
no-one has gone missing on any of in the 1700s the winners were often
the tours, to date anyway. those who were related to or
All the material used on the tours has supported by the local gentry.
been sourced from books, newspa- In 1730 an election was due to be
per articles and first hand witness held in Bury on May 16.
accounts, so these “facts” are real, Jack Hervey, (pictured right) the
although their interpretation is nec- son of the 1st Earl of Bristol, and
essarily personal, whether it be of his friend Colonel Thomas Norton
“Grey Lady”, the “Brown Monk” or travelled up to Bury from London,
moving furniture. assured of being returned to Par-
It is quite astonishing how many new liament as they were both being parading around the town. Matters
tales have been gleaned from clients nominated by the earl. The band took a turn for the worse when a
on the tours and how open they are to had been organised to parade these town Alderman was stabbed in the
recounting their experiences in front two successful candidates around the shoulder and arm whilst trying to
of the whole group. town, as was the custom at elections. negotiate the band’s release.
In addition to this more spiritual side, The election, however, did not Needless to say, Captain Draper
there is a fair sprinkling of historical follow the pre-ordained plan. was arrested. Unsurprisingly Jack
reality with reference to some of A Captain Draper who felt minded Hervey and Thomas Norton were
the more grisly episodes of our past to oppose the two Hervey candi- duly elected and Captain Draper
and how they impacted on the local dates, could not gather sufficient evaporated from history.
community. support and in an act of total mad- Hopefully history will not repeat it-
The tours terminate in an area of the ness captured the band of musicians self during the December 2019 vote.
town that is especially dark and eerie, and locked them in a room forcing
which thus provides the backdrop for them to play for him instead of Terry O’Donoghue
11Full list of events lined up for the year
ahead as we say our goodbyes to 2019
As 2019 rushes to a close we can
reflect upon another full calendar of
Bury Society events and excursions
over the past 11 months.
The usual mix of social gatherings
and trips farther afield were, as usual,
enthusiastically supported, reflecting
the current good health of the Bury
Society.
Whilst the tone of the year was set
with a very illuminating talk by
Adrian Tindall on “Bury at War”,
the winter’s cold was broken up in
February with the society lunch at the
Southgate Community Centre.
Over 80 individuals enjoyed a three-
course meal and entertainment cour- People attending the Autumn Get Together, held at the United Reformed
tesy of Marco the Magician. Church, in October.
With the arrival of spring also came
the first of the year’s excursions The second outing of the year, in seasonal entertainment. Also this
which took a full coach to July, was over the border into coming year we will be kicking
Woodbridge followed by an Norfolk where the King’s Lynn off our travels by visiting Diss and
afternoon cruise on the river Deben guides provided a brief overview on Bressingham in May.
towards Old Felixstowe. Lynn’s colourful history and hidden Diss is a much under-rated histor-
An unscripted part of the day (other corners, before spending an after- ical jewel just over the border into
than a brief stop in the local hostelry) noon at the royal house and gardens Norfolk and both the museum and
was a long detour on the return coach at Sandringham, where I am glad to stunning gardens at Bressingham are
journey around the villages of East report the weather gods were looking renowned.
Suffolk due to the closure of the A14 kindly upon our group of 53. July will see us again over the
on the Orwell Bridge. In between these fun days out were a county line, this time stopping off at
Everyone on board was in awe of the sprinkling of coffee mornings, the Time & Tide museum, in Great
driver who navigated us confidently Martyn Taylor’s heritage open Yarmouth (with maybe a chance to
around some very narrow roads and day talk, a walking tour of the old sniff the sea air), followed by a visit
successfully negotiated the various Brakeland area, courtesy of John and tour around Somerleyton Hall,
hazards and obstructions along the Saunders, and the Annual General a stately home steeped in history set
way. Meeting where the guest speaker within magnificent parkland and gar-
Dr Richard Hoggett immersed us dens. We will also be adding a third
in the rich history of the Abbey and excursion this coming year. Breaking
more recent discoveries as we head with tradition this will be an evening
towards the 2020 celebrations of the trip to the little known but abso-
founding of the Abbey. lutely fascinating Police Museum at
The finale to the 2019 calendar was Martlesham.
the quiz night in November, of which As the 2020 programme is put to
more has been written by John bed your MCE committee is already
Saunders in this edition of the working on 2021 which is rather a
Review. special year as it will mark 50 years
Such a full and well supported since the founding of the Bury
programme has set the bar high for Society and it is our intention to
2020, but hopefully we will not celebrate the past and highlight the
disappoint and the 2020 adventures continuing vital work the society
People eyeing up the ‘goodies’ on commence with the Winter Lunch on does directly and indirectly to
offer at the Autumn Get Together, February 8 where two locally based- enhance the town.
held at the United Reformed Church, professional actors (Lynn Whitehead Terry O’Donoghue
in October. and Tim Welton) will be providing Events Secretary
12Town guides prepare tours to mark
millennium of Abbey of St Edmund
The Bury St Edmunds Town Guides.
Abbey 1000 – John Saunders at the behest of King Henry VIII. The involvement of the Bury guides
reports on how the town guides are It was one of the largest Abbey fits well with the programme of
preparing. Churches in the world; its floor size events designed by a co-ordinating
would have been only exceeded by St group to ensure a balance between
“What’s with this Millennium thing Peter’s Basilica in Rome. monastic and secular activities.
that some people are talking about, I You would imagine that the town Their plans include a gathering of
thought we put that to bed in the year tour guides would relish explaining Benedictine monks, a community
2000?” was what one Burian asked to visitors the significance of St weekend and closing celebrations in
me. Edmund and the Abbey but there is November to coincide with the feast
Well, yes, but we in Bury are so much to tell that it is impossible to of St Edmund.
privileged to be celebrating do justice to the history within a Many other events will occur and
another Millennium – in 2020 it will normal tour. attract visitors from far beyond Bury,
be 1,000 years since the Abbey of St Four of the guides (Adrian Tindall, putting the town firmly on the pages
Edmund was founded. John Saunders, Martyn Taylor and of history, culture and entertainment.
It was one of the most important Terry O’Donoghue, all Bury Society One of the key parts of 2020 is to
places spiritually, politically and members) have designed eight new create a legacy for younger people.
economically in this country and tours for 2020 which will separately The tour guides will be contributing
internationally. take you through different topics; with guided events for children, the
Although Edmund died around 869, for example the life and martyrdom scripts for these being written by
claimed miracles led to him of the Saint and links to the town’s Lynn Whitehead.
becoming a Saint and his body being Catholic Church. Other tours will Those who have experienced Lynn’s
moved to Bedericsworth (now Bury feature the lives of the abbots and previous children’s tours “Hysterical
St Edmunds) into a wooden church monks, the rise and fall of the Abbey Bury St Edmunds” will know how
and then in 1020 into a stone rotunda Church, Jewish connections, interac- hilarious and enjoyable these are,
church, guarded by a small tion between the town and the Abbey, bringing history in a fun way to kids
community of Benedictine monks. times of turbulence and uprising, and and grown-ups.
The Abbey Church, housing the health, wealth and education. So it’s over to you to find out when
Shrine to St Edmund was constructed Extensive research has been under- tours are happening via
under the guidance of different taken and giving the guides confi- www.burystedmundstourguides.org
Abbots over the next 300 years, dentce that the tours will reveal new or by enquiring at the tourist
eventually being reduced to ruins facts and entertain. information points.
13Why is Bury St Edmunds not a city?
As a local tour guide this is a
question asked of me many times,
after all we have a cathedral.
To give it its full title: The Cathedral
Church of St James and St Edmund
of the Diocese of St Edmundsbury
and Ipswich, that’s a mouthful.
People wrongly assume that Bury St
Edmunds having a cathedral means it
is a city, wrong, it is a cathedral town
being one of 26 in the UK, if you
count the Presbyterian Cathedral in
Brechin, Scotland.
The parish church of St James had
cathedral status conferred on it in
January 1914, Parliament having
agreed to it in December 1913.
However, this would never have
happened if Henry VIII had The inscription on the aluminium bench in the Appleby Rose Garden.
decided to spare the magnificent
Abbey Church of St Edmund, a per- Abbey rule vented on it by residents Ely, just down the road from Bury
ennial bone of contention. of the town, Bury St Edmunds would is not that large either with 14,000
With its ignominious destruction at not be the delightful town it is today. people.
the Dissolution this enormous church We would be an urban sprawl, a Perhaps the most important element
would have become a minster such metropolis equivalent to Durham, of a town becoming a city is that you
as York and Westminster, minster Lincoln or York. must have had a royal charter
referring to its origins when part of a So, what does it take to become a bestowed on it by the sovereign.
monastery or abbey. Strangely South- city? Well, a fine religious building In the USA the minimum population
well which also has a cathedral cum obviously helps but you do not have number must be around 1,500 to
minster is not a city. to be over-populous. become a city, powers including local
Think on this, if the Abbey Church of St Davids, in Wales, is the UK’s laws are then delegated by the state
St Edmund was still intact rather than smallest with an estimated 2,000 and county to which it belongs. Why
having the wrath of over 500 years of number of inhabitants. then has the aluminium bench in the
Appleby Rose Garden, in Bury St
Millennium celebrations launched Edmunds, an inscription that reads
“1945, presented to the city of Bury
Next year will mark the 1,000th Beyond, said: “We’ve been work- St Edmunds by the US Army Air
anniversary of the founding of the ing very hard on this and it’s really Forces”.
Abbey of St Edmund and preparations great that people can now see Maybe it was thought all those years
are already under way to make sure what’s planned, get excited about ago Bury deserved it. After all being
it’s one to remember. it and enjoy it. We hope this will a city does carry some form of status,
The Abbey of St Edmund 1,000 Years bring more visitors to Bury St or does it?
project was officially launched with Edmunds and see all of the things Rochester in Kent which had held
councillors and community figures the town has to offer.” city status from 1211 saw it lost
gathering in St Edmundsbury Sponsors are being sought to help because of a monumental oversight
Cathedral. fund the celebrations while both thanks to the new Rochester-
A packed programme of events will organisations and individuals are upon-Medway City Council in 1998.
run throughout next year, including being encouraged to raise £1,000 This new corporation neglected to
art and sculpture installations, anni- which will go to St Nicholas appoint ceremonial Charter Trustees
versary tours and lectures, musical Hospice Care, St Elizabeth when it became a unitary authority,
events and a community party in the Hospice and East Anglia’s this lapse of procedure saw Rochester
Abbey Gardens. Children’s Hospices. removed from the Lord Chancellor’s
The celebrations will culminate in CLAAS, Treatt Plc and Greene official list of UK cities something
a special light projection show in King have already signed up as that does not look like ever being
November. supporters, with the latter planning re-instated. Should we be a city: now
Sue Warren, brand and marketing to release a special anniversary there’s a question?
manager for Bury St Edmunds and beer for the occasion. Martyn Taylor
14Looking after the Guildhall
We are busy at the Guildhall.
YOUR
The Theatre Royal are currenty
rehearsing their pantomime “Peter
CONTACTS
Pan” in the Court Room, the Home- Society website
coming Hearts are on display in the www.theburysociety.org.uk
Banqueting Room and the Tudor
Kitchen has mothers, prams and Reg Charity No. 263230
children at “Didi Dance”.
Bury Society members may not be COMMITTEE
aware that the porch doors on to
Guildhall Street were dated through Chairman
dendrochronology to 1460-1480, and Heritage Advisor
confirming the traditional dating of Martyn Taylor
the porch. chair@burysociety.com
Previously, one of the principal con- The gardens are beautiful and we
ditions of the Heritage Lottery Grant have an historic building which Secretary and
of £750,000 towards the restoration, belongs to everyone in Bury St Vice Chairman
repair and updating of the Guild- Edmunds and we need everyone to Tim Page
hall was that the Bury St Edmunds use and enjoy it. secretary@burysociety.com
Heritage Trust would take on the And we mean everybody. We do
full responsibility for managing not want it in any way to be seen as Treasurer
the building, on completion of the exclusive. Doug Beardon
Trust’s building works. During the refurbishment we were treasurer@burysociety.com
The Guildhall had previously, pleased to be able, with some careful
starting with an agreement signed thought, to build in fully disabled Planning
in 1896 with the Guildhall Feoffees, access to every part of the building. Roderick Rees
been in the care of Bury Town But, as we have no Local Authority planning@burysociety.com
Council, which was succeeded by St Grants or other funding, we need,
Edmundsbury Borough Council in and will continue to need, every bit Membership
1974. The latest transfer of responsi- of income we can generate to pay our Sue Savage
bility took place in September. costs. members@burysociety.com
This does mean now that the Trust The Bury Town Council are due to
has to bear the full cost of insuring use the Guildhall from January 2020. Programme
and securing the Guildhall, some They will be based in the office at Terry O’Donoghue
£6,000 a year, together with all the 79 Whiting Street adding income to events@burysociety.com
heating and lighting costs. the Guildhall but more significantly
The important pictures in the Court and importantly will mean that the Bury in Bloom
and Banqueting Rooms, including council is back in its proper home, Chairman
the wonderful full length portrait the affairs of this town having been Robin Burnett
of King James 1, remain in the care managed from the Guildhall for at chairman@buryinbloom.org.uk
of West Suffolk Council who will least until recently, the last 500 years.
continue to insure them. And, speaking personally, I am really Co-ordinator
So what is it like to manage and care pleased to see our Bury Town David Irvine
for a Grade 1 listed, 12th Century Council taking a more significant role coordinator@buryinbloom.org.uk
Guildhall, which was at the time in the care of this town.
of its build, the largest in England. So please, use our Guildhall, come Website
Well, it is a big responsibility for and help with the myriad tasks Alan Baxter
the Trustees, but one which we fully entailed in running our Guildhall, media@burysociety.com
accepted and understood when we and support us in any way you can.
commenced the restoration. It has For myself, and all those involved in
not been an easy learning curve for the restoration, to see our beautiful OTHER MEMBERS
any of us. Guildhall now back in regular use
We have wonderful volunteers has really been a dream come true. Patrick Chung
and trustees, without whose devo- Kerr Clement
tion we would not be able to open, Martin Lightfoot Sarah Nunn
backed up by a small, highly dedi- Chairman Russell Cook
cated, staff. Bury St Edmunds Heritage Trust
15Members programme for the coming year
SEPTEMBER
Heritage Weekend events taking
place. Details to follow in next
edition of the Review.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15
Suffolk Police Museum, Martlesham.
An evening event with a donation to
the museum. £17 per head.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14
Coffee Morning at the United
Reformed Church in Whiting Street,
10.30am to 12.30pm
Somerleyton Hall which is scheduled to be visited next July.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8 which includes entrance to the gar-
dens (at Bressingham) and museum.
Winter Lunch at Southgate £22.50 per head.
Community Centre with a Dicken-
sian entertainment theme, 11.45am THURSDAY, JUNE 4
start with lunch at 12.45pm. £22.50
per head and includes a glass of Annual General Meeting at the
wine. Booking form in this edition of United Reformed Church, in Whiting
the Review. Street, 6.30pm for 7pm.
Suffolk Police Museum which is to
SATURDAY, MARCH 21 THURSDAY, JULY 16 be visited next October.
Coffee Morning at the Unitarian Visit to Great Yarmouth and Somer- Copy deadline for next
Meeting House, 10.30am to 12.30pm.
Admission free.
leyton Hall.
To Time and Tide Museum in Great
edition of the Review
Yarmouth with coffee and cake on The copy deadline for the next
THURSDAY, MAY 14 arrival in the morning. In the after- edition of the Bury Society
noon on to Somerleyton Hall includ- Review is Monday, March 30.
Visit to Diss and Bressingham. ing a guided tour of the house. Email copy to the editor Russell
Morning in Diss with coffee and cake £35 per head. Cook at russellcook@sky.com
at the historic Corn Exchange then
on to Bressingham for the afternoon
Don’t miss the opportunity to add your weight to the Bury Society team.
Apply for membership now.
Either use the website: theburysociety.org.uk to download a
membership form from the Home Page by clicking the “Join Us” panel
or telephone the membership secretary Sue Savage on 01284 719243.
Contributions to the Review do not necessarily reflect the views of the
Bury Society.
Bressingham Gardens which are to
be visited next May.You can also read
