Roundabouts Future for Ghost tours sponsors deal the meadows are a success Page 2 Page 7 Page 11 Society ReviewWinter 2019 The delights of town put in the national spotlight

The Abbey Gardens with the in the background, one of the many delights of . 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 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 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 Archives. Market is historic part of the town 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 , 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 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 Cornhilland 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 Edmundsbury. Confusing isn’t it? With the Norman invasion of 1066 Membership of the Society the Normans subdued many areas with castles but here in Bury is currently a ‘healthy’ 616 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 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 11 Full 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

12 Town 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.

13 Why 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 Edmunds, an inscription that reads Millennium celebrations launched “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

14 Looking 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. [email protected] 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. [email protected] 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 [email protected] 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 [email protected] 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. [email protected] 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 [email protected] 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 [email protected] 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 [email protected] 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, [email protected] 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

15 Members 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. leyton Hall. Admission free. 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 [email protected] 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.