The Society is established for the public benefit of people who live or work in Felixstowe and Walton. Members are also welcome from The Trimleys and surrounding villages. The Society endeavours to : • Stimulate public interest in these areas • Promote high standards of planning and architecture and • Secure the improvement, protection, development and preservation of the local environment.

Front cover photograph contributed by Vicky Smith.

Contents

1. Chairman’s Notes

4 - 6 Calendar 2020

7 Heritage Weekend Gulpher Pond Deadline for next issue - Wednesday 25 March

8 - 9 Planning Applications

10 - 12 Indoor Bowls in Felixstowe

13 Evensong at King’s College

14 - 15 Speaker Evening - The Lost Airfield of Elmswell 14 - 15 Trip Round the Port in September

16 - 17 Speaker Evening - The Story of Coco Chanel

18 Beachclean Event

19 The Felixstowe Society Archive

20 Felixstowe Beach Hut and Chalet Association

21 Application Form for The Felixstowe Society Quiz

23 Application Form for the Felixstowe Society Annual Society Dinner

25 Application Form for the Annual Holiday

27 - 28 Application Form for Annual Membership

2 I cannot believe that I am sitting here with a brilliant blue sky outside and sun pouring through the window, writing my Christmas/Winter Newsletter Notes!!! By the time that you read these scribblings the Christmas Season will be over and gone and we shall be in the New Year of 2020 with all the good events of The Felixstowe Society before us.

In the September Newsletter’s Notes I put out a heartfelt plea for a new Secretary following the sad illness of Gill Manning and the resignation of Glynis. We were very fortunate to have a volunteer in the person of Derek Bundock who is amazing and we are really grateful to him. A wonderful find, so thank you, Derek.

We are also very pleased that Honor Dines, our wonderful Newsletter Editor, has recovered from her fall and subsequent hip replacement and is back in the saddle producing this edition. Welcome back, Honor.

As you may or may not know, our archives have been stored in the Felixstowe Museum to date. However, the Museum now needs the space so we had to find a new home. I am delighted to tell you that, thanks to negotiations from Roy, our wonderful friends at Harvest House have offered us space in their vast cellars free of charge. We are so grateful to them and I know that our archivist, Bev Boyce, is delighted. Our very grateful thanks must also go to the staff and trustees of the Museum for hosting us for so long.

We have had some delightful speakers so far this year, thanks to Roy Gray, and we look forward to more such in 2020. Also many outings to the Port and the wonderful trip to Cambridge organised by Keith and Elizabeth Horn. This culminated in a sung Evensong in the King’s College Chapel by candlelight where we sat right next to the Choir. Magical. Couldn’t even be spoilt by my dear husband’s fall down the rood screen steps. Very fortunately he wasn’t hurt apart from his pride, but we would like to thank all those who rushed to help him. As I write this, the plans for the Winchester holiday in May are finalised and we are almost full. Can’t wait. A trip like this does take a great deal of organisation so we owe Keith and Elizabeth a great deal of thanks.

Four of your Committee and one member attended a quiz at the Trades and Labour Club in aid of Coastwatch. We had a very pleasant evening but we will draw a veil over our final position.

Those of you who were present at the November Speaker’s Evening will know that the Environment Awards were presented. We now need you to start thinking about next year’s awards. The form can be downloaded from the Society’s website with all the necessary criteria.

The Planning Group seems to be working very well with our new Coordinator, Phil Cobbold. They continue to keep a watching brief on Planning in the Town including the Golf Club and now the Candlet Road Development.

Well, ladies and gentlemen, I wish you all a belated Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year.

Kind regards

Jan Garfield Chairman

3 January

Pay Subscription Fee. Please remember these have risen to £10 Single, £15 for two people at the same address. Do you need to amend your Standing Order?

Monday 6 January

Felixstowe Walkers : Landguard . A walk across the nature reserve. Meet at 11.00 at the car park opposite the Fort entrance. Distance_2 ½ miles______Grade 2

Friday 17 January

Felixstowe Walkers : Cliffs and Dip. A walk along Old Felixstowe cliffs and promenade. Meet at 10.30 at Brackenbury Sports Centre. Distance_2 ½ miles______Grade 3

Tuesday 28 Janurary

Speaker Evening - H. Parsons - Work on Cathedral

February

Wednesday 12 February

Felixstowe Walkers : The Grove. A walk through an area of natural woodland. Meet at 10.30 in the Grove car park. Distance 2 ½ miles Grade 3

Friday 21 February

The Felixstowe Society Annual Quiz Booking form at the back of this newsletter

Monday 24 February

Felixstowe Walkers : February Fair Trade Walk. A walk from Christ Church adjacent to Morrisons, celebrating Fair Trade Week. Meet at 10.30 at the church. Distance 2 ½ miles Grade 3

Sunday 23 February - Phil’s Sunday Walks - The Old Felixstowe Walk

Meet at 2.30 pm outside the back entrance of the Orwell Hotel on High Road East. The walk finishes at Ranelagh car park . Walks last approximately 1¾ hours

Tuesday 25 Februrary

Speaker Evening - Ruth Dugdall - Author

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March

Friday 6 March. Felixstowe Walkers : Levington. A walk along the River Orwell, Meet at 11.00 outside The Ship Inn. Distance 2 ¾ miles Grade 3

Thursday 19 March BEACH CLEAN Meet at the shelter near The Fludyers Hotel at 9.30 am

Thursday 19 March Felixstowe Walkers : Woodbridge. A walk along the river Deben. Meet at 11.00 outside The Leisure Centre. Distance 2 ½ miles Grade 2

Tuesday 24 March

Speaker Evening – J. Bardburn. Talk on men in local 16th Regiment captured and escaped in World War 2.

Sunday 29 March – Phil’s Sunday Walks - The Hamilton Gardens Walk . Meet at 2.30pm opposite Pavilion Court. The walk finishes in Ranelagh car park. Walks last approximately 1¾ hours

April Wednesday 1 April. Felixstowe Walkers : Trimley St Martin A walk through the countryside. Park on the grass near the road at Goslings Farm Shop and meet at 10.30 outside the Garden Café.

Distance 2 ½ miles Grade 3

Sunday 26 April – Phil’s Sunday Walks -The Seafront Perimeter Walk . Meet at 2.30pm outside the Town Hall. The walk finishes at the Town Hall Shelter.

Monday 27 April Felixstowe Walkers : Landguard. A combined walk with the Health Walking Group. Meet at 10.45 in the Fort car park. Distance 2 ¾ miles Grade 3

Monday 27 April Felixstowe Society Annual Dinner The Brook Hotel, Orwell Road, Felixstowe Details and booking form at the back of this newsletter

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May

14 - 17 May 2020 The Felixstowe Society Holiday to the Winchester Area Details and Booking form at the back of this newsletter

Sunday 17 May – Phil’s Sunday Walks - The Cobbold Walk . Meet at 2.30pm at the Brackenbury Sports Centre where the walk will finish. Walks last approximately 1¾ hours

Tuesday 19 May Annual General Meeting. 7.30pm at Salvation Army, Cobbold Road. followed by

Speaker Evening : G Page - Citizens Advice Bureau, Felixstowe

June

July

August

September

Tuesday 22 September

Speaker Evening - Borin van Loon : Street names and signs

Sunday 27 September - Phil’s Sunday Walks – The architecture of the main shopping area of Felixstowe.

Meet at 2.30pm at the top of Bent Hill. The walk finishes at The Triangle. Walks last approximately 1¾ hours

Sunday 25 October - Phil’s Sunday Walks – The Tomline Walk .

Meet at 2.30pm by the Martello Tower in Martello Park. The walk finishes at the corner of Cavendish Road and Sea Road. Walks last approximately 1¾ hours

November

Tuesday 24 November

Speaker Evening - R.Simper - Talk on River Deben.

Sunday 29 November – Phil’s Sunday Walks – The Hamilton Walk .

Meet at 2.30pm outside the library where the walk will finish. Walks last approximately 1¾ hours

6 FELIXSTOWE WALKERS - please note that the distances quoted are the maximum and we can accommodate shorter walks where required.

Walking Grading System :

Grade 1 - easy flat good surfaces Grade 2 - mostly on the level but can be muddy in places Grade 3 - generally good surfaces but some moderate slopes and mud in wet weather Grade 4 - more challenging - may include steeper slopes, rough ground and mud in wet weather.

The Society has in recent years been organising various events and visits to coincide with the weekend, Unfortunately we have been informed that a number of the people who assisted in the past will not be available to help this time; and this leaves a small number of us to work on this. We are therefore looking for members who may be interested in joining . Once we get replies we will decide what we can do, if anything.

If you are interested, please contact Roy Gray on 01394 285827.

Felixstowe Society Work Party at Gulpher Pond – Thursday 24 October 2019 Another work party met at 8.30am to carry out a tidy up at Gulpher Pond. The men were at work for two hours and thanks go to Guy Pearse, Mick Elmes, John Cousins, Alan Muchal and Mike Atkinson for their help. We plan to meet up again in March/April 2020.

If you are interested in helping then, please let me know by phoning me on

01394 270845 or email me at [email protected]

Keith Horn

COPIES OF THIS NEWSLETTER ARE FREE TO MEMBERS OF THE FELIXSTOWE SOCIETY.

NON – MEMBERS CAN PURCHASE COPIES AT A COST OF £5 EACH.

IF YOU WISH TO BUY A COPY, PLEASE CONTACT ROGER BAKER ON O1394 282526

Many thanks to all our contributors and special thanks, as ever, to Susanne Barsby for proofreading this issue. DEADLINE FOR THE NEXT ISSUE PUBLISHED EARLY MAY IS WEDNESDAY 25 MARCH 7

APPLICATIONS LISTED IN SEPTEMBER NEWSLETTER AWAITING DISTRICT COUNCIL DECISION

ADDRESS PROPOSAL FELIX SOCIETY ESC COMMENTS DECISION Land adjoining 53 Object Refuse Wentworth Drive Erection of bungalow Design out of keeping with the area. 19 Margaret Erection of dwelling Object Withdrawn Street Design out of character to the area 6, 8 and 10 Erection of 7 flats Sympathetic addition Withdrawn Manning Road to the Conservation Area 9 Martello Place Replacement UPVC Little effect on the Approve windows Conservation Area

APPLICATIONS CONSIDERED BY THE SOCIETY FROM 28 JULY 2019 TO 13 NOVEMBER

ADDRESS PROPOSAL FELIX SOCIETY ESC COMMENTS DECISION

1 Sudbury Road Proposed dwelling Object Refuse Overdevelopment B10 & B11 The Installation of lift Little effect on the Approve Bartlett listed building 89 Hamilton Road New shopfront and signage Little effect on the Withdrawn Conservation Area Ridley House, Alterations including roof Architectural Approve Maybush Lane terrace improvement to the building 72 Hamilton Road Non illuminated signage Little effect on the Approve Conservation Area 3 The Courts Works to trees Little effect on the Approve Conservation Area 30 Maybush Lane Works to trees Little effect on the Approve Conservation Area 98 Ranelagh Road Works to trees Little effect on the Approve Conservation Area

55-57 Hamilton Reduce retail floor space Little effect on the Awaiting Road and change to 16 flats Conservation Area decision and welcome diversification of premises 8 ADDRESS PROPOSAL FELIX SOCIETY ESC COMMENTS DECISION

81 Gainsborough Single storey extension Little effect on the Approve Road Conservation Area

Harvest House Hosting Wedding Little effect on the Approve Ceremonies Conservation Area

Harvest House Erect Summer House Little effect on the Awaiting Conservation Area decision 67-69 Tower Works to trees Little effect on the Approve Road Conservation Area 6-10 Manning Erect 7 flats Objects Awaiting Road Insufficient decision information 53 Orwell Road Change of use to 5 Little effect on the Approve dwellings Conservation Area 11 Hamilton Infill to provide sitting area Little effect on the Approve Gardens Conservation Area 119 Cliff Road Extensions and balcony Building does not Awaiting lend itself to small decision pane fenestration 325 High Street Render rear of property Little effect on the Awaiting Walton listed building decision

5 Beach Court Works to tree Little effect on the Awaiting Conservation Area decision 99 Ranelagh Works to tree Little effect on the Awaiting Road Conservation Area decision 60 Brook Lane UPVC conservatory Little effect on the Awaiting Conservation Area decision 223 Grange Road New windows and Little effect on the Awaiting alterations listed building decision The Pier Illuminated signage Little effect on the Awaiting Conservation Area decision

Number of applications considered by The Felixstowe Society 39 Number of applications requiring Committee response 25

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HISTORY OF INDOOR BOWLS Apart from covering of bowling alleys in Tudor times, the idea to bring in bowlers The history of bowls goes back many out of the cold did not occur until the end centuries and a great deal of the folklore of the 19th Century. Again, it was a connected could refer to games such as Scotsman, William Macrae, who in 1888 skittles, boules, petanque, nine pin bowling pioneered the idea in the Drumdryan Drill etc, but only today’s traditional codes use a hall by placing rubber bands around his bowl with built in bias. bowls and a sand covered concrete floor. This was not successful as it was too fast The use of bias goes back to before with bowls rolling off the playing surface. Shakespearean times i.e. in 1477 William In 1905 the burghers of Edinburgh played FitzStevens mentioned a skittle game which by gaslight in the Synod hall using coconut used a shaped ball to “make it travel in a matting and in London, W.G. Grace played curved direction”. There are at least 12 privately on the same surface. Then he references to bias in Shakespeare’s writing, and his brother commandeered a gallery at so highly likely Drake played with bias bowls. Crystal Palace for 36 members of his Covered bowling alleys also existed in these outdoor club. Thus, in 1905, Crystal Palace times and were heavily criticised for their IBC became the first indoor club link with gambling eg. Stephen Gossen in established in Britain. (W.G. Grace was first 1579 wrote “ Common bowling alleys are President of the English Bowling privy mothers that eat up credit of many idle Association.) citizens, whose gayness at home are not able to weigh down their losses abroad: whose shoppes are so farre from maintaining their play, that wives and children cry out for bread, and go to bed supperless of in the yeere ”.

Charles 1 had his own outside bowling green and was involved with gambling for high stakes. His son Charles 11 (1610-1685) was enthusiastic about the game and in 1670 drew up “ 20 rules of the Game Bowls ”. Lawn bowls, as we know it today, did not take shape until laws were codified by W.W. Mitchel, a Scottish Solicitor, in 1849. In 1910 it moved down to the basement until World War 1 and in 1924 it resumed

in the Australian pavilion in the Crystal Palace grounds. After the fire in 1936 the club was quickly reformed at 183a Anerley Road, Penge, which was the first six-rink stadium to be built in . Following the initiative of W.G. Grace in 1905/6, other bowlers in North London took up the idea with the Alexandra Palace Club formed in 1908. Southend played in the old Kursaal; a small green was laid in Kings Hall, Wimbledon and among public facilities 10 that were commissioned for indoor bowls, Women’s bowls started with their own leagues the public baths at Kingston was one of the and competitions around 1980s but most first. clubs now have mixed teams. Our own Kathy Rednall has won the national and world, Planned greens were purpose built in singles, pairs and mixed pairs a number of Crouch Hill, Hastings, Bournemouth, times. In 2009 the ladies’ and men’s Margate, Torquay, South East and North Association combined to become the English London with six rinks being built in Indoor Bowling Association (EIBA). There are Paddington (1935), Croydon (1937), some 30 counties affiliated and most still have Temple (1938), Bounds Green (1938) and Ladies’ and Men’s Associations. the new Crystal Palace in 1937. At this time full length greens were planned, some with three, four or six rinks. The use of a felt carpet was introduced giving a slower similar surface to outdoor greens. In 1933 the indoor game had been formally recognised by the formation of the English Bowling Association (Indoor Section) with its first AGM in 1934. There were initially some 25 clubs who had to have greens not less than 35 yards long with banks and ditches at both ends. Membership fee was 10s/6d. Experiments were made with different jacks; Inter club and International competitions were introduced where England won the first in 1936.

The World War 11 stopped all bowls activity, but they resumed very slowly after the war due to cost of new greens and their maintenance. The National Championships came into being during tenure of Arthur Sweeney (Secretary). and first singles played in 1961; pairs in 1963 and fours in 1966. Since then many famous names have won: David Bryant, Tony Allcock. In the early post-war years there were few clubs but when the English Indoor Bowling Association came into being in 1972 there were 110 clubs but by 1992 there were 300 clubs (95,000 playing members) which is the same number today, as there has been no further construction of Indoor Bowls Halls since that time. Television in the 1980s was largely responsible for the growth, along with the many men who had the vision to exploit and raise the profile during these and subsequent years. Today the game is still played in towns and cities on purpose built six and eight rink greens but there is much less TV exposure.

11 The World Indoor Bowls Championship was primarily for pairs and triples, with men’s first held in 1979 at Coatbridge in Scotland fours on Tuesday evenings. In addition, for men's singles only. The event was the club plays league matches against sponsored by Embassy in the early years and other Indoor clubs in . grew in stature. In 1988 the venue changed Annual club championships are held to Alexandra Palace and one year later consisting of fours, triples, pairs and Churchill Insurance took over the sponsorship singles for men, ladies and mixed teams. when the championships were held at Preston Guild Hall. The Midland Bank and SAGA New innovations this year are Mixed were two more sponsors during the Preston Fours on a Friday morning and roll ups on era. In 1999 Potters Holidays came in to Thursdays for new and younger take over the sponsorship and the event members. moved to Potters Resort in Hopton-on-Sea, where it is still held today and televised every January

FELIXSTOWE INDOOR BOWLS CLUB

There are 12 indoor clubs in Suffolk – those in our area are , and in Felixstowe at The Leisure Centre which was built in 1988 and to utilise the upper floor space, two brothers Burke started and ran a private four rink indoor bowls club until 1991 when it came under the auspices of the A Junior coaching session is held for 2 Council and was named Felixstowe Indoor hours every Sunday, with so far, 8 young Bowls Club. people attending. There is a wheelchair

During these early years it was a vibrant and access plus coaching provided for club i.e. in 1996 there were 500-600 those who need such a facility. The members. Now there are some 420 members facilities are open seven days per week in with 45% from Felixstowe, 33% Woodbridge winter 10.30am – 10pm and during and 31% Ipswich. It is the only club in the summer it is open each day from 13.30 to have a steady and 12.30 and 2pm - 4pm. As East Suffolk increasing membership. Council is planning to close the existing Leisure facilities at the Leisure Centre and Currently there is an emphasis on Brackenbury the Club have issued the encouraging younger players which is following statement: - ‘In view of recent successful in that there are 12-15 members local Press reports, the Committee of under 21 with 2 playing Indoor for the FIBC wishes to inform all members and County and 8 playing Outdoor for the County. users of the Indoor Bowling facility in the

There is also action to assist members in Leisure Centre, that East Suffolk Council becoming coaches and again this has been and the FIBC Committee continue to work successful in that there are 9 coaches of together to find an alternative venue which two are Level 2 (qualified to work with suitable for use as an Indoor Bowling young bowlers and progressive bowlers in Facility . The Bowls Club Committee are addition to new bowlers), with the remainder optimistic that there is a future for Indoor Level 1 who work with new bowlers. Bowls within Felixstowe, and we shall plan with that future in mind.’ League matches take place every day of the New members are always welcome, and week but there are always rinks available anyone interested should contact Mahbubul during the day for members of the public or Alam or Mike Nunn using the contact form club members to have a social game. There on the FIBC website. are men’s, ladies’ and mixed leagues Tony Horrocks 12 Visit by members of The Felixstowe Society on 29 October 2019

We could not have wished for a more perfect day weatherwise and the organisation of the day was to follow the same pattern, set out by Keith and Elizabeth.

A short walk from the coach drop-off saw us in the market square which was to be our collecting point after two ‘free-times’.

Our party was divided into three groups, each with a tour guide. Our guide gave a very concise history of King’s starting with Henry I who destroyed 25% of the town to make way for his new University, which took over 70 years to complete, by which time Henry II was on the throne.

We heard about and saw one of the impressive Georgian facades covering a Medieval building. Then the guide recounted how King’s College honoured Stephen Hawking’s death by holding his funeral in the King’s complex; he was a Fellow of King’s. Inside the Chapel we saw the neck-aching largest fan-vaulting ceiling in the world, so we were told. It is 289ft (88m) long and completed in 1515. The Medieval glass windows we saw at their best because of the sunshine and blue sky outside.

The crowning moment of the day was Evensong in King’s Chapel. Our group was seated next to the choir and as darkness had fallen the only lighting was the candle lights in the choir stalls.---- it was magical. Apparently the soloist for the recording in the Christmas service from King’s is chosen at the latest moment once the choir is in place.

As our party of 52 walked back to our Klarners coach and Steve the driver, a number of people commented “ Well, when we watch on TV at Christmas ‘ Carols from King’s’ we can say, “We have been there and seen that”.

Thanks go to Keith and Elizabeth Pam, Alan and Jenny

13

THE LOST AIRFIELD OF ELMSWELL

A very full house heard our two presenters talk about the lost First World War aerodrome of Elmswell, which they had tackled as a community project partially funded by a National Lottery Grant. This was a 4½ year exercise to find the remains of the Royal Flying Corps operations at Elmswell during the 1st World War, and to research the lives of those who were involved.

Most of the pilots at the beginning of the War were upper middle class boys who had learnt to fly before the conflict. One example was Henry Chandler, who, aged 23, reported in his log his experiences of night flying in his biplane. It was possible at that time to reach 10,000 ft, although the air at that altitude was very thin. There was no oxygen and no parachute! On one occasion he reported taking off at 55mph, with oil from the engine misting up his goggles, after which the aircraft engine stalled several times. On his last flight the engine stalled, the plane crashed, and he was so badly burnt that he died later in hospital.

We arranged another tour for some 56 Society members in September. This was the fifth tour of the port we have been given; we are very grateful and in particular to Paul Davey the Port’s Commercial Officer for acting as a guide on our visits.

Most of us are used to seeing the ships going into or leaving the Port from the promenade or the beach, but until you are alongside, you really can’t see how big they really are! It is amazing, too, the amount of equipment on the Port. Giant ship to shore cranes, straddle carriers, and the tugmasters for pulling the trailers.

14 The airfield was comprehensively obscured by the construction of the much larger 2nd World War airfield, constructed by the RAF but used by the USAF. However, research at the RAF museum at Hendon uncovered much original documentation and plans for the earlier airfield which showed a grass runway, 2 hangars and several administration and workshop buildings alongside. Well over 200 personnel were employed there. Graham and Peter discovered that in fact the airfield had been constructed by the Canadians, who levelled and drained the site, bringing in 2,000 tons of clinker from the nearby railway.

The site was eventually closed when the 1919 flu pandemic took hold, and the unused 2nd hangar was then sold as an auction shed to Stowmarket, and the Officers mess sold as the village Hall to Drinkstone, where it survived until very recently.

Elmswell was built as part of a defensive line including Hadleigh and East Harling, to counteract the growing menace of Zeppelins which were causing great distress and much damage well inland. They could fly up to 20,000 ft whilst the aircraft at that time struggled to reach 12,000 ft. Furthermore, the wing mounted Lewis gun had to be laboriously winched up and down for reloading or for clearing jams, so encounters were very fraught. The losses were considerable, and 1 in 4 aircraft were lost each month, many to accidents in the air. Whilst 28 airmen from Elmswell were killed in action, 479 were killed in accidents.

Graham and Peter were able to discover the foundations of the original buildings, and to find original ammunition: Shell brass fuel can tops, and .22 Winchester rifle cartridges used for target practice.

In 1918 the RFC became the RAF, and during the 2nd World War the airfield was home to 75 Squadron ( New Zealand). Now it is privately owned farmland, but with the runways and 2nd World War layout still plainly visible.

Paul gave us as always a very informative and interesting tour.

Two of the comments that Paul gave us that a number of the party noted was that the ship to shore cranes cost around £7,000.000 each and the straddle carriers, around £1,000,000 each !!! The second point was that two of the cranes are now driverless (The drivers sit in an office on the terminal operating the cranes by looking at a computer screen !!) Is that a sign of things to come? In China they are already trying a system of cranes being operated by robots!!!

Roy Gray

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To believe or not to believe? That is the Question

The story of Coco Chanel

Pam Cooper gave a fascinating insight into the tangled life of Coco Chanel which she had researched after leading School exchanges to France for several years.

Coco, born Gabrielle, had been born in a hospice for the poor at Saumur in 1883, and educated in a Convent following the death of her mother when she was 12. At the Convent she was taught to hate Jews as they had crucified Jesus!

She first worked as a seamstress, but in the evenings sang in a local cafe, where her signature song was “Who has seen Coco?” Coco was a dog. Perhaps this dog was the origin of her nickname, or it could have been her addiction to Cocaine, or because she was coquettish.

Pam told us of the many lovers Coco had in her life, including Arthur Capel, an aristocratic Englishman, who bought her an apartment in Paris with a hatshop below, and later a shop in Deauville and in Paris. 16 A child called Andre Palasse was born, ostensibly to one of Coco’s sisters, but Arthur promised to pay for his upkeep and education. Arthur then married into the British aristocracy, but was killed when driving to visit Coco in Paris.

After the 1st World War Coco met a chemist in Grasse who offered her 10 perfumes to try. She chose the 5th which became a staple of Chanel’s business.

Later she met Pierre Wertheimer, the owner of a large perfumery who agreed to finance Chanel for 70% of the business, and also the Duke of Westminster, who became her lover and whose estate at Eaton Hall in Pierre Wertheimer Cheshire she ran for him. She also met Edward, Prince of Wales and hosted many parties for her aristocratic friends, and became involved in meetings between them, Hitler, Von Ribbentrop and Goering.

At the beginning of the 2nd World War she fell in love with Baron von Dinklage, the German Ambassador to Paris, and so lived in style in her suite at the Paris Ritz whilst the rest of Paris starved. Germany engaged Coco as a spy, and she travelled widely to talk with her connections. Meanwhile the Wertheimers had left for the USA to escape the Jewish persecution. Coco tried to purchase their share of Chanel, but it had already been sold to a Christian Felix Amiot.

At the end of the war Coco gave away bottles of Chanel No.5 to the US and British forces as they arrived in Paris, but the French people turned on the collaborators and around 35,000 people were either imprisoned or executed.

Coco moved to Lausanne to avoid difficulties, and it is Coco with the 2nd Duke of Westminster- said that Churchill intervened to prevent her arrest as she was so intimately involved with the British aristocracy.

Meanwhile the Wertheimers bought their share of Chanel back from Amiot, and in the end bailed Coco out as her business was cold- shouldered by the French.

Karl Lagerfeld became the head designer for the brand, and many famous people bought his creations.

Coco died in her suite at the Hotel Ritz of morphine poisoning in 1971.

Coco aged 87 Chanel suit worn by Jacqueline Kennedy 17

We had another excellent turnout for our quarterly beach cleanup with 26 people taking part comprising members of The Felixstowe Society and the Chalet and Beach Hut Owners Association.

For those of you who do not know, many years ago we adopted the area of beach from Cobbolds Point to the Spa Pavilion. In our one hour’s clean up, on this occasion we collected 29 kg of rubbish. We clean this area of beach four times a year.

Our beach cleans are carried out in association with Suffolk Coasts and Heath and The Marine Conservation Society. For about 20 years The Felixstowe Society has been taking part in the Marine Conservation annual nationwide beach cleaning litter survey programme and this is held over four days in September every year and this is where people all around the UK can take part.

We are regularly being told that marine wildlife is under threat from litter in our seas with hundreds of species accidentally eating litter or becoming entangled in it, amongst other things like plastics and fishing lines. Litter-strewn beaches damage tourism so we all have a part to play in turning the tide on litter.

As part of our cleanups we have to record every item we pick up on a 100 metre stretch of beach and this is on the beach outside the Spa Pavilion. On this particular occasion two of our group picked up 2kgs on the 100 metre stretch. For your information our declaration to Marine Conservation Society was as follows :-

1 Plastic/Polystyrene 5 Wood Bottles/containers 1 item Nil Caps/lids 3 items, 6 Metal Cups 7 items, Cans/drink 5, Caps/lids 2, Foil wrappers 2 Cutlery/trays/straws 4 items, 7 Glass Fishing line 6 items. Bottles 3 items . Fishing net and net pieces 18 items, 8 Pottery Plastic/polystyrene 0-50cm 194 items, Nil Plastic/polystyrene 25-50cm 10 items, 9 Sanitary Plastic/polystyrene 50cm + 24 items. Towels/liners/backing strips 7 items Strapping bands 7 items, 10 Medical String Cord 39 items. Nil 2 Rubber 11 Faeces Balloons 9 items. Nil 3 Cloth 12 Pollutants Clothing/shoes/towels 14 items, Nil Furnishings 15 items,

Sacking 13 items. Why not join us on one of our future

cleanups – the next one will be on 4 Paper/Cardboard Thursday 19 March 2020 Bags 2 items, starting at 9.30am. If you would like Cardboard 1 item , more information please telephone me Cigarette stubs 19 items, on 01394 270845 or email me at [email protected] Cups 5 items. Keith Horn

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With grateful thanks to the Directors of Harvest House, the archive is now in its new home in one of the large basement rooms of this iconic building. The Harvest House Manager, Mick Marlow, has been so helpful in enabling this collection to move efficiently to its new location. It is the first time in five years that the whole archive is now stored in one place after moving to various locations around Felixstowe.

The Society is very grateful to Felixstowe Museum, Old Felixstowe Parish, The Salvation Army, River of Life Church, Felixstowe International College and other residents, who wish to remain anonymous, for allowing us to store parts of the archive in their premises.

In recent months, several members have donated items to the archive. The archivists would like to thank Gill Hadwen, Roy Gray and Jean Macpherson. Felixstowe residents who have heard about the archive and who have donated items include Kath Berry and Debbie Lambert. Steve Lawer and Sue Denning will continue to catalogue the thousands of photos contained in the archive.

Over the past few years, a number of members have offered to help with the archive but they have not always been able to meet at various times. Now that we are able to access the archive during the week, by prior arrangement with Mick Marlow, if anyone would like to offer to catalogue documents please contact Bev Boyce on 01394 672184.

The archive would also benefit from any documents and photos of Felixstowe, Walton and the Trimleys between 1918 and 1939. We have some documents on Felixstowe College but we would be interested in any photos and documents related to private schools in Felixstowe such as ‘Highclere’ .

One of the projects which has arisen out of the collection of documents in the archive is a book to be published in January 2023 to commemorate the 70 th anniversary of the Felixstowe Floods in 1953. If anyone has any information, memories and/or photos, please contact Jean Macpherson on 01394 272840.

Bev Boyce

As a result of the move, we are in need of some adequate shelving for the archives

If you have, or know of, any small amounts of metal shelving we could obtain free or for a small sum, please contact Roy Gray on 07505283201

19

It has been a relatively quiet summer for the Association. The situation in respect of the huts between the Spa Pavilion and the Pier which are not able to go on the beach in the summer is still unresolved. It looks like they will spend the 2020 summer on the prom again, sideways on to the sea. East Suffolk Council have provided more spaces for beach huts at The Dip, and several new huts have been placed there this year. We are delighted to see the improvements made to the steps down to the prom at Brackenbury.

Having provided a defibrillator at The Dip earlier this year, we invited a representative from the British Heart Foundation to our AGM to give a presentation on CPR and the use of a defibrillator. Allan Hunter (who many will know from Ipswich Town FC) was a great sport and volunteered himself to be the casualty who had to be placed in the recovery position.

Our members have been very active in fund raising for good causes. Committee members opened their huts and provided drinks, cakes and other tasty morsels for donations to the Felixstowe Air Cadets. We also had some Association coasters made and some striking pictures from photographs taken by our Secretary, Julie’s, husband, which were also sold for the same cause. The outcome was an incredible £1300 being presented to the Cadets one evening at Julie’s hut.

Some of our members have also been busy fund raising at their huts. Di and Peter Chilver held a MacMillan Coffee Morning at their hut and raised £915.14. A fantastic effort.

Barbara Grace opened her hut on Easter Monday providing refreshments and selling books. Adding the money she raised to the money raised at her hut on New Year’s Day, we were able to send £200 each to Felixstowe Coastwatch and the Felixstowe Volunteer Coastal Patrol and Rescue Service.

Joy Reeve and Karen Kenny – owners of Beach Hut of the Year 2017 – opened their Occasional Café at Grandma’s Little House at Manor End and raised an amazing £3501 for the Alzheimer’s Society. They will be opening their hut again this winter every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 7am to 12.30pm, this time raising money for Parkinson’s UK.

20 Trevor Mason

The Felixstowe Society Quiz 2020

Following successful quizzes over the past two years, Roy Gray is again organising a Quiz Night at the Trades and Labour Club, High Road, Walton on

Friday 21 February 2020, starting promptly at 7.30 pm

The cost is £10 per person which includes a cod and chips supper (sausage and chips as an alternative).

All profits raised from the event will go to local charities.

For the quiz, there will be tables of 4 – 6 and there is a bar at the club where you can purchase hot and cold drinks.

Please phone Roy Gray on 01394 285827 if you are able to donate any prizes for the raffle.

This is always a popular and enjoyable event so you are advised to book early.

Cut ......

BOOKING FORM FOR THE SOCIETY QUIZ – Friday 21 February 2020

I would like ...... tickets for this event at £10 per ticket

I enclose a cheque for £ ...... payable to The Felixstowe Society

Please indicate numbers for :

Cod and chips ...... Sausage and chips ......

Name ......

Address ......

Telephone Number ......

Email address ......

PLEASE SEND THIS FORM TOGETHER WITH YOUR CHEQUE TO ROY GRAY, 428 HIGH ROAD, FELIXSTOWE, IP11 9QP

21 22

Felixstowe Society Annual Dinner

The Felixstowe Society Dinner will be held once again at The Brook Hotel, Orwell Road, Felixstowe on Monday 27 April 2020 at 7.00pm for 7.30pm. The cost will be £17.50 per person and will include a carvery main course, sweet course and tea/coffee. A tip is included in the ticket price. A vegetarian dish will be available if required. Further, please let me know if you have any dietary requirements.

We hope that you will be able to join us and would ask you to complete the booking form and return this to Mrs Susanne Barsby at the address shown.

Please enclose a stamped addressed envelope to enable Susanne to send you your ticket(s).

We will be holding a Raffle and would welcome gifts of prizes if at all possible. Please note that any profit made on the night will be given to our Mayor’s chosen charities, namely FACTS (Felixstowe Area Community Transport Scheme) and The Felixstowe Carnival. I will be pleased to collect your prize, in which case kindly contact me on 01394 270845 or email me at [email protected] . Alternatively please deliver your prize to me at 75 Ferry Road, Felixstowe, IP11 9LU.

Keith Horn ......

BOOKING FORM FOR THE FELIXSTOWE SOCIETY ANNUAL DINNER

Monday 27 April 2020 at THE BROOK HOTEL, ORWELL ROAD, FELIXSTOWE, IP11 7PF

I would like ……..ticket(s) for this event at £17.50 per ticket.

Vegetarian Option Yes No

Choice of Sweet Course Please tick Box below

Chocolate Fudge Cake with Ice Cream ( ) or Fresh Fruit Salad and Cream ( )

Please provide names of all persons attending who must be fully paid up members of The Felixstowe Society.

I enclose………………Cheque payable to The Felixstowe Society.

Name(s)……………………………………………………………...... ……………………….

Address…………………………………………………………………………………...... …..

Telephone No……………………...... …… Email address …………….....…………………………………….

Please return this form together with your cheque and SAE to Mrs Susanne Barsby, 1 Berners Road, Felixstowe, IP11 7LF.

23 24

Felixstowe Society Holiday to the Winchester Area 14 - 17 May 2020

We are now planning another 3 night, 4 day Mini Break and details are as follows :-

We will be staying at Norton Park Hotel, Sutton Scotney, near Winchester, SO21.3NB and at this stage the Holiday will cost £350.00 and will include the following :-

• Coach travel by Klarners Coaches Ltd and a tip for our driver. • Porterage on arrival and departure. • Welcome tea/coffee on arrival. • Accommodation on a Dinner, Bed and Breakfast basis including a vegetarian option. Dinner choice made on arrival on first day and then at breakfast from second day. Tea/coffee after dinner. • Free use of leisure facilities – indoor pool, sauna, steam room and gym. • Biggin Hill Memorial Museum and Chapel including lunch. • Winchester with a guided walking tour. There will also be free time to visit perhaps the Cathedral or the Great Hall if you wish and also time for lunch (not included). • In the afternoon we will visit Winchester Science Centre where we will be able to see the exhibition followed by our own Planetarium Show. • Bournemouth with free time before we make our way to Russell-Cotes House, Gallery and Garden. Afternoon Tea/Coffee and Cake included. • Whitchurch Silk Mill including a guided tour and lunch.

To proceed further we need a minimum of 40 people and if you are interested please complete the application form and forward this together with your deposit of £100 per person.

Please note that you will have to make your own insurance arrangements.

In the event of the holiday being cancelled because of lack of support your deposit will be refunded. Looking forward to hearing from you.

Keith Horn ...... HOLIDAY TO THE WINCHESTER AREA 14 - 17 MAY 2020

1/we would like to go on this holiday and enclose my/our deposit of £100 per person.

Please make your cheque payable to The Felixstowe Society and return this part to Keith Horn, 75 Ferry Road, Felixstowe, IP11 9LU.

Name(s) …………......

Address…………………………………………………...... ………….

Telephone ………...... …………… Email ......

For Couples - Bedroom with twin or double bed. – Twin ( ) or Double ( )

Single Room please ( ) Special requirements in your room Yes ( ) or No ( )

25 26

Application / Renewal of Subscriptions 2020 (delete as appropriate)

Please complete the Application/Renewal Application and the optional Gift Aid Declaration on the reverse of this form and send with your membership subscription for 2020 to : Hilary Eaton Treasurer 102C Queens Road Felixstowe IP11 7PG

(Data Protection : The information provided attached to this form is for the use of The Felixstowe Society only and is not passed on to any other organisations.)

Membership Subscriptions (The annual subscription runs from 1 January)

Annual Membership - single £10 Joint Membership - £15 Two people at the same address

Young people under the age of 18 Free

Corporate Membership £30

Gift Aid is tax relief on money donated to UK charities. HM Revenue and Customs treats donations as if the donor had already deducted basic rate tax from them. The charity can then reclaim this tax to increase the value of a donation. The Society is a charity and the membership subscription is a donation. It is optional but please fill in the form and increase your subscription at no cost to you.

If you pay by Standing Order we will continue to claim Gift Aid annually until you inform us of a change of circumstances.

Standing Order : Tick this box if you wish to set up a standing order to pay your membership renewal fees in January of each year. You will need to quote the following details of The Society’s account. Note that you can cancel the standing order at any time.

Bank Account Name : Felixstowe Society Sort Code : 77-66-25 Account Number : 25273660

Bear in mind that members must pay their first joining fee by cash or cheque (payable to ‘Felixstowe Society’) but can then set up a standing order with their bank for subsequent years’ renewals for a date in January.

BACS - You can also pay by BACs using the above Bank Account details and put your name as reference.

A receipt should not be needed when paying by cheque but if one is required, please let the Treasurer know at the time of your application. No receipt will be sent unless a stamped addressed envelope is enclosed. 27

Membership Application / Renewal for 2020

Full name(s) ......

Address ......

......

Post Code ...... Telephone ......

Email ......

We enclose £ ...... being the subscription for ...... people

Archiving / Exhibitions Gulpher Pond / Abbey Grove Group

Leading Walks Committee Membership

Newsletter Delivery Help with ad hoc activities

I / We could give help with (please tick)

Optional Gift Aid Declaration (for individuals )

Please ensure that the name on the cheque for the membership subscription (donation) is the same as the donor.

Donor details

Title ...... Forenames(s) ......

Surname ......

Address ......

Post Code ...... Telephone ......

I would like The Felixstowe Society to treat all donations I make from the date of this declaration, until I notify you otherwise, as Gift Aid donations.

Signed ...... Date ......

1. You can cancel this declaration at any time by notifying the Treasurer. 2. You must pay an amount of Income Tax and/or Capital Gains Tax at least equal to the amount The Society reclaims on your donation in the tax year. 3. If, in the future, your circumstances change and you no longer pay tax on your income or capital gains equal to the tax The Society reclaims, you should cancel your declaration. See note 1. 4. If you are unsure whether your donations qualify for Gift Aid tax relief, ask The Society, or ask your local tax office for leaflet IR65. Please notify The Society if you change your name or address. 5. If you pay by Standing Order we will continue to claim Gift Aid annually until you inform us of a change of circumstances.

For Office Use Only : Receipt No ...... 28 On Spreadsheet ..... On Dist List ......