I am looking forward to talking to Derek
Hill, Peter Arbon and Alfie Moore about their life in Kettleburgh.
The interviews should take place around
October when Robert Mrazetti has time to record.
All about Kettleburgh in
1925 - Click
Kelly's and find out about the records kept
in the Kelly's Directory of 1925
ARTICLE FROM Brandeston &
Kettleburgh Parish News February 2008
Lord of the Manor of Kettleburgh
We are pleased to bring you a letter from April Gamble, dated 1st
January 2008, with very exciting news.
Dear Kettleburgh & Friends
The sale of the Lordship of Kettleburgh has now been completed and
soon you should be meeting your new Lord of the Manor. I hope
he is as excited, curious and honoured as Ted and I have been these
years.
I will always be grateful to the community that made us feel
welcome, taught us so much and fed us so well. I have so many
fond memories and photos and I thank all of you who over the years
opened your hearts and homes to us. Thank you.
Love,
April Gamble
We are extremely grateful to Ted and April Gamble for all that they
have given in time, interest and money, whilst they have held the
Lordship of the Manor of Kettleburgh. Both Ted and April have
shown a keen interest in the life of the community, made and
maintained many friends, given generously, attended the fete, and
generally been very good for us all. It is our hope that we
have given something of our love and friendship in return, a
welcome to them and an interest in the American way of life.
The Lordship of Kettleburgh has taken a while to sell but it has
sold now and we are grateful to April who has sent us the net
proceeds and they are like this-
Kettleburgh Lord of the Manor
Fund £1673.00
St Andrew's
Church £
500.00
As I write we do not know the name of the Lord of the Manor but
once we do, arrangements will be made for everyone, who wishes to,
to meet him and give him a warm welcome to Kettleburgh.
Some people will know litte about the past history. There
have been times when I have spoken about the Gambles in the
magazine but let me summarise:
Ted Gamble had been an active businessman all his life; one of his
positions held was as a Vice-President of Pepsi-Cola. Ted and
April lived in California, now April lives mostly in London.
The Lordship of Kettleburgh was bought in 1988 by April Gamble and
given to her husband, Ted, for their wedding anniversary in
December 1987. The Lordship holds nothing physical, it is
only a right written on a piece of parchment, with accompanying
documents. Ted and April came to Kettleburgh church and saw
the bells on the floor, which had been taken down some years
earlier because the tower wasn't strong enough for them to be rung,
and decided they would like to restore them. They paid for
the tower to be strengthened and a steel bell frame installed to
replace the old wooden one, and for three new bells to be cast and
the 3 existing bells returned. This meant them visiting the
Whitechapel bell-foundry on 19th December 1991, together with the
churchwardens (Derek Hill and John Bater) and their wives, and
Roger and Stell Dixon. The names of the churchwardens, along
with Mary Levy, were cast into the bells forever.
In the summer of 1992, July 4th (American Independence Day), the
restored tower was reconsencrated by the Bishop of St Edmundsbury
and Ipswich, followed by a large party on Church meadow under a
marquee. At a Christmas party, hosted by the Gables, everyone
was given a small silver bell to take home. This restoration
of the church tower and vestry has been the most noteworthy event
embraced by Ted and April. Sadly Ted died in 2000 after a
difficult illness - April took on the Lordship herself but realised
it was not the same on her own. Once again we thank April
warmly for all both she and Ted have done for Kettleburgh and wish
her well in the future. God bless you.
History and Background of the Village
Green
The first steps to a green
space for Kettleburgh were taken on 8 March 2002 at a seminar
called “Shepherd or Sheep – Does your Parish Council Lead or
Follow?” The Countryside Agency was there to explain a new funding
opportunity called “Doorstep Greens”.
A piece of land of 2.5 acres
was identified adjacent to the public footpath leading to the
Church and also accessed from Church Road. The Doorstep Green
Action Group committee was set up to seek funding and create a new
village green. In February 2004, £3,500 was granted by the
Countryside Agency for a feasibility study. Following public
meetings and questionnaires involving the residents, a grant of
almost £65,000 was offered on 18 March. This represented about 70%
of the total Project Expenditure of just over £90,000.
Formation of Kettleburgh
Green Trust
On 22 March 2005 the land was
purchased for £13,600 and on 18 July the Kettleburgh Green Trust
was registered as a charity. There are currently 9 Trustees and its
mission statement is:
Kettleburgh Green Trust aims to make the Village Green a special
place which will enable the whole community to enjoy leisure and
recreation in a natural setting.
It is also committed to conserving the Green’s natural
biodiversity
and wildlife for the benefit of all local people.
Fundraising
Other sponsorships were
sought. As well as individuals, these included SCC, the Mills
Charity in Framlingham, the Co-Op, the Kettleburgh Lord of the
Manor Fund, Kettleburgh Gun Club. Many events have been held in the
village to raise additional funds. A Beetle Drive, Sunday
Breakfasts, Cheese & Wine evenings, the Kettleburgh House
Exhibition, a Christmas Décor demonstration are just some
examples.
Creation Works
Contractors were sought
for the creation project and work commenced in September 2005. The
area of scrubland and sand pits was dramatically transformed into
the beginnings of a green space and wildlife area. Paths were laid,
areas for a meadow, orchard and a level surface for ball games were
created. Trees were planted and grass seeded.
To
mark the end of a successful first year, a celebration took place
on
16th September 2006. On a sunny afternoon and evening in early
autumn,
villagers and their friends and relations enjoyed
a free hog roast, music and games
Check out
the Kettleburgh Green matters page for up to date
news
Click here to
read more about the Village Green
Kettleburgh Village Hall
History
In 1924 an agreement was made between Henry George Walne of
Kettleburgh Hall to rent a piece of his land to Reverend R Davies
of Brandeston, John Goddard of Kettleburgh (farmer) and Herbert
Hill of Kettleburgh (Innkeeper).
Henry George Walne agreed to rent the piece of waste land,
"thirty yards long and eleven yards wide", for the
term of thirty years. The rent was to be one shilling a year
payable yearly on the sixth day of April. The tenants were to erect
a room to be known as "The Kettleburgh Parish Room" and this was to
be used as a reading room or for concerts and dancing or "any
other kind of amusement or parochial purposes".
You can read more on the Village
Hall Page
Kettleburgh Fete
The first Kettleburgh Fete took place in 1924,
it was held to meet the expenses of the new Parish Room. The event
was opened at 3.30 pm by Lady Huntingfield of Heveningham Hall.
There were various stalls, an Aunt Sally, guessing the weight of a
pig and a draw, the prizes for which included beef, wine, tea,
butter, sugar and coal. Games included ham-banging, hidden
treasure, hoop-la and a bran tub. An American tennis tournament was
played throughout the day and a concert took place in the
afternoon. In the evening there was a whist drive, another concert
and dancing ‘til midnight to selections played by the Framlingham
Band. All this made a profit of £76.16.1 ½ d (£76.80
approximately).
Kettleburgh Fetes continued until
1930 when there was a joint one for Brandeston and Kettleburgh to
help renovation funds for both churches. This was quite a “do”.
Music was provided by the Leiston Works Prize Band. Besides a
concert there were bowls, quoits and tennis tournaments. If this
was not sufficient one could indulge in clay pigeon shooting,
whippet racing, a motor cycle, gymkhana and a parade of children’s
decorated bicycles. All this ended with a display of fireworks.
From 1931 onwards each village held its own event.
Framlingham Weekly News - No mention until 29.7.1933
Brandeston & Kettleburgh Fete. United Fete at Kettleburgh
Old Rectory by kind permission of Mr S T Cribb – money donated to
both churches.
1934
1935 Brandeston & Kettleburgh both celebrated the
Jubilee but separately.
9.5.1935 For the fete at Kettleburgh the sports grounds lent by
Mr H G Walne was used. Tea was served in the Village Hut.
7.9.1935 Garden Party at Kettleburgh Hall in aid of Church
Funds. Net profit of £12.00
1936
31.10.1936 Kettleburgh decided how to celebrate the Coronation
similar to the Jubilee. Short service at War Memorial. Tea for
children followed by one for adults. Games & sports till 10 pm
– then bonfire.
Committee: H G Walne, Rev. Chapman, Messrs Cribb,
Goddard, A & N Pulham, R Moore, W Runnacles, W Newcombe, R
Ling, S Crisp, H Taylor, H James and O Beard.
1937
12.5.1937 Kettleburgh. Rain did not
prevent people entering into programme arranged for them by
Chairman Capt. H. Walne & Secretary, Mr N. Pulham. In the
morning parishioners assembled in the church to hear the broadcast
of the solemn service from Westminster Abbey. At 2.30 a large
number of people gathered on the meadow in front of the Hall where
both children’s and adult’s sports were run off. At 4o’clock the
young people sat down to a fine tea in the Hut, tastefully
decorated by Miss Cone (Headmistress), the staff and children. Each
child received a souvenir mug, gift of the Rev. D S Chapman
(Rector).
At 6 pm the adults enjoyed a
sumptuous meal – all the beer for the day being given by Mr Field
of the Water Mill. During this, children played games in the school
under the supervision of Miss Cone and Mrs Crisp. Adult sports
followed and afterwards everyone congregated at the Hut to hear the
King’s speech. By the light of a huge bonfire festivities were
brought to a happy ending.
5.6.1937 Surplus of £5.00 from
Kettleburgh Coronation celebrations given to Parish Room.
1938 The Framlingham Weekly News finished publication
on 31.12.1938 so
no further information
Wilda
Woodland – 9 November 2007
Each year the Kettleburgh Fete
proceeds
are split between the Kettleburgh Church & the Village
Hall.
All funds raised have been recorded in the Kettleburgh Fete
Accounts.
To view each set of accounts - click below
Kettleburgh Fete 2001 & 2002
Kettleburgh Fete 2002 & 2003
Kettleburgh Fete 2003 & 2004
Kettleburgh Fete 2005 & 2006
Kettleburgh Town Estate
Charity
This charity was set up many years ago when five cottages next
to the church were sold, raising about £2,500. The interest from
this fund is about £70 per year. It was originally used to provide
coal for pensioners, and then small Christmas gifts. Since 1999 it
has been awarded to first year college students who live in the
parish for the purchase of books, if they make an
application.
The Trustees to the Kettleburgh Town Estate Charity are the two
churchwardens and the vicar. You can read more about this charity
online at:
http://www.charity-commission.gov.uk/
Kettleburgh Village Produce Association
It is thought that
the Kettleburgh Flower and Vegetable Show was possibly started
in conjunction with the Brandeston and Kettleburgh Women’s
Institute.
It was in existence in 1949 (see
newspaper cutting of 1950). Mrs Phillis Howe, 2 Watermill
Cottages (k.d.1983) and Mrs Pat Pearl (k.1952-1959) were
directly involved. This line of research cannot be followed up
as the Brandeston & Kettleburgh W.I. is no longer in
existence. Unfortunately their records were lost.
In 1953 the Mitchell Perpetual
Challenge Cup was given by William and Marion Mitchell, (brother
& sister), Kettleburgh Lodge (k. 1939-1970) for produce. They
are remembered as being very pleasant people who spoke with a
strong Scots accent. Miss Mitchell was famed for her scotch
pancakes. In 1970 they retired to live in Felixstowe.
The same year, 1953, the Hill
Perpetual Challenge Cup was given by Derek and Pat Hill, (d.2004),
The Hall – Pinewood (1953 – still in the village 2007). About the
same time (1953) the society applied for affiliation with the
Suffolk Agricultural Association, thus becoming the Kettleburgh
Village Produce Association.
Over the years other cups were given
to be won :-
Flowers – Neville (d.1995) and Ann
Brown, The Watermill (1974-1996)
Runner-up to the Produce Cup –
Leslie and Mary Levy (d. 1990), 3 Lings Field (1979-1994)
Kettleburgh only competition runner
up – Produce & Vegetables – Vera Pulham (d.2002), Home
Farm – Cranbrook (k.1946-2002)
Fruit – Paul and Claire Norman, 2
Red Roofs (k.1987 – still in the village 2007)
Flowers Runner-Up - in memory of
Herman Baalam, 1 Stone Cottages (1974-1993) given by Eric Smith, 9
Church Road (1978 – d. 2007).
| Produce |
Mitchell Perpetual Challenge
Cup |
| Vegetables |
Hill Perpetual Challenge Cup |
| Flowers |
Neville and Ann Brown |
| Produce - Runner-up |
Leslie & Mary Levy
|
| Fruit |
Paul and Claire Norman |
|
Kettleburgh Only Competitors
Vegetables |
Vera Pulham |
| Kettleburgh Only
Competitors Runner Up - Vegetables |
Vera Pulham |
| Flowers - Runner Up (Baalam
Cup) |
Eric Smith |
Wilda Woodland
9
November 2007
Kettleburgh Manor Account
The fund was set up in 1987 with a cheque for $1500 given by Ted
Gamble when he became Lord of the Manor of Kettleburgh. Ted
and April Gamble were living in California and April bought the
title as a gift for her husband. The fund was established for
the well-being of the Parish.
The Rector and the Chairman of the Parish Council became its
trustees.
It is currently a small fund of about £600.
Amongst other things, the fund has been used for stage
curtains
for the Village Hall and books for Easton School library.
Contributions were also made towards
the cost of the sewer connection to the Village Hall and the
creation of the Village Green.
Ted Gamble died in 2002 and the title is at present for sale.
Click here For more detail about the Kettleburgh Manor Account from
Reverend P G Vellacott
Click here to
read more about lordships