Sutton Hoo in Local History Group’s Resumption Plans
Although West Bergholt is a substantial still growing village, it has an interesting history. Members of the active Local History Group continue to investigate, research and document it. They usually meet at the Orpen Hall on the second Wednesday of each month from September through to April, except December. In the months of May through to August they try to arrange group visits to places of local historical interest.
As with most groups, the COVID-19 Pandemic interrupted group activities since March 2020 but, hopefully, that is now changing.
Emerging Plans
The first event will be a morning visit about the restoration of a bridge on the Markshall Estate in July. John Claydon, who was involved in the restoration, will lead the visit. The group will contact members directly but if you are interested in joining them please email [email protected].
They hope to restart meetings at Orpen Hall on Wednesday 8th September with the following talks:
The Sutton Hoo Dig
Local Suffolk celebrity, Charlie Haylock will be returning on 8th September to talk about his work as the dialect coach in the production of the recently released film “The Dig”. The film retells the story of how the Anglo Saxon Royal ship burial was discovered at Sutton Hoo by local amateur archaeologist Basil Brown, played by Ralph Fiennes.
Charlie is an excellent, entertaining speaker and all are welcome to this return to normalcy in the Orpen Hall. The film is well worth watching on Netflix; there is an introduction to it on YouTube.
Essex County Hospital
Adam Wightman from the Colchester Archaeological Trust will be leading the talk on Wednesday 13th October. Adam, a very experienced archaeologist, will talk about their 2020 project investigating the site of the Essex County Hospital in Lexden Road.
Evidently some of their finds were remarkably interesting and enhanced their understanding of Roman Colchester.
JUMBO – The Bernard Colbron Lecture
10th November will see Andrew Craystone, for North Essex Heritage, giving the 4th Bernard Colbron Lecture. He will talk about the current state, and the possible future of the
former important water tower in Colchester. Of course, you you cannot fail to miss it and, no doubt, will all know it affectionately as JUMBO.
The group then takes a break in December before resuming activities.
The Impact of the Daniell Family
Resuming on 12th January 2022, Peter Noakes, the group chairman, will talk about the “Impact of the Daniell family on West Bergholt and Colchester”.
No speaker has been confirmed for February yet.
Annual General Meeting
The group will hold their AGM on 9th March. They will also promote their archive and encourage groups of members to work together to research aspects of West Bergholt history with the objective of producing summary leaflets which can be distributed and added to the archive on the website.
Please email [email protected] if you wish to know more about the History Group or its’ meetings or visits.