Special Outside Visit to Helmingham Hall, in mid-Suffolk – with a Garden Tour by their Head Gardener.

The Ipswich Group, Suffolk Family History Society, have organised a guided tour of the fabulous gardens, at Helmingham Hall by the Head Gardener. There will also be time for a wander around the Grounds, plus a visit to Helmingham Church.

After exploring the gardens, or taking a refreshment break Weavers Restaurant, it will be time to head to Helmingham Church. The church is on the edge of the Estate. There is a pathway through the estate to the church. The church is like a mini-Cathedral, as it has many elaborate memorials, several to the Tollemache Family who have owned and lived in Helmingham Hall for many centuries.

Date: Thursday 20 June, by Noon. The tour will start at 1pm.
Venue: Helmingham Hall, near Stowmarket IP14 6EF
Car Sharing is being encourages, so if you need a lift – or can help someone else – please say!
Cost: £16:00 per person. You will have to pay for any refreshments you may purchase in the Weavers Restaurant.

To book, contact Howard King 01473 274300 NOW, as there are limited places.

For more information, e-mail: [email protected]

NOTE: There will be no June Meeting at the Salvation Army Citadel, Ipswich.

On Friday 7th June, at 7:30pm, Timandra Slade who will present:

From a Hard Place to a Rock

This is an extraordinary story of the escape, and perilous Journey home, of members of her family and fellow escapees from the Germans in 1940. Using first-hand accounts of soldiers of the British Expeditionary Force on the run in World War Two.

Venue: Martlesham Heath Community Centre, Felixstowe Road, Martlesham Heath, Suffolk, IP12 4PB
Park at the large car park at the rear of the building.
Date: Friday 7th June, at 7:30pm
Entry: £3 for members, £5 for non-members – who are always welcomed. You can join the Society on the night – if you wish.
More information: mhas.org.uk.

Steam into History at Suffolk’s award winning and only standard gauge heritage railway.

One of the big events of the MSLR calendar when, in addition to the railway attractions, there is a full programme of displays, military vehicles, live music, memorabilia, visiting ‘soldiers, sailors and airmen’, perhaps even a famous face or two bringing history alive. Even a Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Spitfire flypast (weather permitting on the 26th) and Dad’s Army performances on the 27th. And live Music will be provided on both days by Sarah Mai, who will be singing selections of the great songs from those memorable times.

At every opening there will be steam trains you can ride as often as you like, hauled by resident locomotive, 1910 built, Andrew Barclay, 0-4-0 saddle tank, ‘Caledonia Works’ no.1219. Also the Museum, cafe, Restoration Shed, souvenir shop and Middy’s real ale bar will all be open too.

And for this season we have the Mendlesham USAAF 34th Bomb Group Museum joining us on site with their collection of historic WWII memorabilia and artefacts.

Specifically for this event we will have a free shuttle bus service from Stowmarket Station to Brockford Station on both days courtesy of the Eastern Counties Bus Preservation Group.

All in all a really great day out for rail fans, families and nostalgia.

Venue: Mid Suffolk Light Railway, Brockford Station, Wetheringsett, Stowmarket, IP14 5PW.
Date: 26th and 27th May (bank holiday weekend).
More information: mslr.org.uk