Suffolk Churches – a series of journeys in a Mk 1 Cortina by Bernard Butler – Chapter 12

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]During our recent post on our visit to Morston Hall we mentioned meeting Bernard and his wife who had, at home, a Mk1 Ford Cortina.

Bernard told me as a part of his retirement that he travels around Suffolk and visits our churches and photographs his car with the church and writes about the experience.

We are very pleased to be able to share with you their fascinating story. All of the experiences you read of below are from Bernard Butler. Bridge Classic Cars do not claim ownership in any way.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_text_separator title=”Suffolk Churches – a series of journeys in a Mk 1 Cortina – by Bernard Butler”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]A quick turnaround was achieved by the promise of another dry day, so on May 20th I set out again to discover some Suffolk churches.

My target area this time was to the west, bordering the A140 main road to Norwich.

The first stop was at Stoke Ash, and this was reached after travelling along some long narrow lanes. Munro Cautley has little to say about this church, which was just as well because it was locked.  It made a nice picture though.

I then ran south down the A140 until turning left towards the village of Wetheringsett.

In contrast, this was open and it is a magnificent church to visit too.

I was “spotted” going into the church and the “spotter” came in for a brief chat.

Much of social as well as church history is here and should be a must on any visiting list. It is so good that Roy Tricker has written his own commentary – available in the church.

The only difficulty was in obtaining a decent photograph, as the church is end-on to the road.

From here I crossed the A140 towards Mendlesham which also has a fine write-up in Munro Cautley, and this was open too.

This meant I had spent much of the morning already, and I had planned to visit seven churches before lunch – an ambitious task indeed! However I had been helped by the fact that at my first church, Thorndon, the car park was full of cars and I could not get a picture of just the Cortina and the church. I think the primary school teachers park in the church car park all day because these cars were still there as I made my return journey, so I will have to go again, either on a week-end or after 4pm.

This church seems to have taken on an unusual form of worship – it almost seems catholic, with many statuettes. The south porch (see picture) was blocked by vegetation – very strange! – but when I got inside I discovered that it has been turned into a tiny chapel for funerals etc.

I waded anti-clockwise through the long grass to reach the north door entrance, spotting a very fat rat along the way!

Well worth a visit and ample compensation for the fact that this was going to be the last open church of the morning.

I read up on Cotton, the next church, with much anticipation as I had heard it was a good church to visit, but to my dismay it was locked.

This was a real pity, and although instructions to find the key-holder were clear, I just haven’t got into knocking on people’s doors yet. Sometimes the directions to the key-holders address are really convoluted and seem to require detailed local knowledge just to track them down!

Perhaps I will when I have completed visiting the other 500 churches, and then go back to the closed ones!

A very narrow route took me on to Wickham Skeith with some beautiful scenery at times. They don’t want you to find it because it is a left turn up a very old track just at the entrance to a hall.

The Churchyard here is large and rather overgrown with plenty of wild meadow flowers growing at this time of year.

Although I was able to drive up to the building, there was not a good vantage point to take in both the Church and the Cortina, so you will have to look hard for the car in the following picture!

The light was reduced by the overhanging greenery, and this resulted in a nice moody picture to match my moodiness at not being able to get in for the third time this morning!

On to Thwaite, last on the list.

I had read that it had lost its tower and the OS Map confirmed this, and as I approached Thwaite I could see the church, in and out through the trees.

I turned right towards it but it didn’t reappear which puzzled me. I was now too far from the main road so I turned round and then discovered the access off to my right – a little wooden bridge into the churchyard, almost totally concealed by bushes.

This was a most romantic approach to the church, made even more delicious by the flowering bushes either side of the approach.

As you already know, the bad news was that this church was also not open, but I took my photos just the same.

When I drove off and regained the “main” road, I suddenly came across the front of the church – I had been round the back! – but as it is set well-back from the road behind bushes it was difficult to take another good picture. In the end I drove into the churchyard a little, but this is all I could manage.

So ended a frustrating morning with two wonderful exceptions.

I can only assume that the proximity to “civilisation” in the form of the A140 makes the parishioners wary of leaving their churches open – I must see if this contrast with the High Suffolk area is continued when I venture further west.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Worlingworth through Bedingfield toThorndon; then SW and a right turn along country roads to Stoke Ash.

Continue to the A140. Just past the right turn towards Thwaite, turn left off the A140 towards Wetheringsett. Turn right just before the river and on into the village.

Continue with an immediate right fork back to the A140, going south, and take the right turn towards Mendlesham.

After Mendlesham, take country lanes towards Cotton. Take the right fork, going past Dandy Corner and follow the narrow roads to Wickham Skeith. Continue after W.S. to Thwaite, and hence back to the A140 and home.

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

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Morris Marina 1300L in for an MOT

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]In with us for an MOT today, a beautiful 1981 Morris Marina 1300 L, complete with some retro Radio Caroline branding.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_gallery type=”image_grid” images=”13219,13220,13221,13222,13223,13224,13225,13226,13227,13228,13229,13230,13231,13232″][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Winner of Best Mini at this year’s Classics On The Quay

Over 50 classic minis were on show today at Ipswich Waterfront after taking part in a Suffolk landmark ‘treasure hunt’ for Fresh Start – New Beginnings, a child sexual abuse charity.

The Ipswich and Suffolk Mini Owners Club (ISMOC) organised the ‘Classics on the Quay’ event.

The run started out at Stonham Barns at 10am where participants were given riddles to identify 10 Suffolk landmarks. They then travelled to as landmarks as possible, and take a photo of each one, before finishing outside Cult Cafe along Ipswich Waterfront at 1pm.

ISMOC founder Carl George said: “This is our first-ever mini run and we wanted to have fun and support a local charity where our donation will help make a difference.

“Once I heard about Fresh Start – New Beginnings and the fantastic work they do, we had no hesitation on deciding to raise money for them. They are small like us, but they really do make a big difference to the 200 sexually abused children they work with.”

Patsy Johnson- Cisse, fundraising manager at Fresh Start – New Beginnings, said: “We are over the moon that Carl and the members of Ipswich and Suffolk Mini Owners club are supporting us.

“We are a small local children’s charity supporting children who have been sexually abused and having Carl and the mini club supporting us, raising awareness of the work we do, and raising money, will help us make a difference.”

Winner of ‘Best Mini’ on the day went to Danni Cook’s beautiful and vibrant ‘Nemo’.

Finished in Focus ST Electric Orange.

Thank you very much to Danni for supplying us with the images. You can check out more pictures of ‘Nemo’ on Danni’s Instagram page.

Beaulieu National Motor Museum

We often receive great stories and pictures back from our good friend Jack who travels the world as Chief Officer onboard luxury superyachts.

Whilst visiting some of the most beautiful countries in the world Jack often finds himself surrounded by luxury cars.

Past stories include:

• Aston Martin One-77
• Jack and the Captain’s Car
• Jack visits Museo Lamborghini and Museo Casa Enzo Ferrari in Modena, Italy

Having stopped off in the UK for a couple of days we caught up with Jack for a bite to eat at Bill’s in Colchester before he disappeared once again, this time to visit Beaulieu National Motor Museum.

From the earliest motor carriages to classic family saloons, the National Motor Museum boasts one of the finest collections of cars, motorcycles and motoring memorabilia in the world.

Over 250 vehicles tell the story of motoring on the roads and circuits of Britain, from pioneering origins to the present day. The stylish, the elegant, the fast, the famous and the plain functional are all on show at what is the most well renowned motor museum in the UK.

Stonham Barns – Classic Car Show 2017

Stonham Barns presents Classic Car Show – Sunday 20th August 2017.

Gates open 10:00am until 4:00pm

Entry £7.50 per person – Exhibiting Drivers and Under 5’s FREE

The Classic Car Show is a returning esteemed show, which Stonham Barns is very proud and thrilled to be hosting.

The show is going to be a wonderful day out for all the family with an abundance of things to do and see throughout the day.

Come and see the 100’s of Classic Cars, bikes and trucks that will be at the show; along with Car Club Owners Stands, auto jumble, trade stands for you to browse around, numerous food outlets, bars, fun entertainment and children’s play zone.

Everyone is welcome to come along for the day, whether you are a classic car enthusiast and want to view the beautiful cars, a family wanting to try something different for a day out or someone wanting to show your car for the day, the organisers would love to see you!!

Dogs are welcome on the day as long as they are kept on a lead.

Stonham Barns look forward to welcoming you to the Classic Car Show.

Click here to download/print the Stonham Barns Classic Car Show 2017 leaflet

Check out our diary of events for 2017. If you have an event that you wish for us to include in our event schedule (whether it be car related or not) drop us an email on info@bridgeclassiccars.co.uk.

Suffolk Churches – a series of journeys in a Mk 1 Cortina by Bernard Butler – Chapter 11

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]During our recent post on our visit to Morston Hall we mentioned meeting Bernard and his wife who had, at home, a Mk1 Ford Cortina.

Bernard told me as a part of his retirement that he travels around Suffolk and visits our churches and photographs his car with the church and writes about the experience.

We are very pleased to be able to share with you their fascinating story. All of the experiences you read of below are from Bernard Butler. Bridge Classic Cars do not claim ownership in any way.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_text_separator title=”Suffolk Churches – a series of journeys in a Mk 1 Cortina – by Bernard Butler”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]A fine day was promised on May 8^th 2008 and so it turned out to be. Jane was away looking after Jamie, our first grand-son, so I put the dogs in their box and prepared for another adventure in the Cortina.

I set off quite early and headed off towards my first thatched Suffolk church – at Thornham Parva. It was open.

This is a beautiful church inside with a number and variety of notable features.

A visit should be a “must” on anyone’s list, and yet it has taken me four years to “pop down the road” to visit it!  I have driven past a few times, but never stopped to go in.

The wall-paintings are very striking, reminiscent of Worlingworth, and the famous retable is resplendent, protected now by a clear screening, and it is amazingly well-preserved, being 700 years old. It was rediscovered in a stable loft at Thornham Hall in 1927, having been taken out of the church at the dissolution of the monasteries.

A short distance to the north brought me to Yaxley church – a fine building in this now by-passed village. Again, it was open, and I was enjoying today’s venture.

It boasts one of the best “guides” for any church I have come across – twelve sides with many illustrations, yet not expensive – well done Yaxley!

Inside there is a Sexton’s Wheel – unusual nowadays -, and some lively carvings and metalwork. I also learned here that the old tradition was for the men to sit in the north nave, and the women in the south nave.

All of today’s churches are to be found on the lower eastern edge of Ordnance Survey Map number 144, and you can see it is again only a short hop via the busy A140 to my next church – Thrandeston.

Nicely located and away from the houses of this small hamlet, this church was shut because of the need to restore parts which had become dangerous. Perhaps I will see inside another time. Outside on the west wall was an interesting stone carved inscription showing the name Sulyard quite clearly still. I have cut and pasted the following.

John Cornwallis [Parents] was born in 1491 in Brome Hall, Eye, Suffolk, England. He died on 23 Apr 1544 in Ashruge near Chesham, Buckinghamshire, England. He married Mary Sulyard.

Mary Sulyard was born in 1491 in Otes, High Laver, Essex, England. She died in 1544 in Essex, England. She married John Cornwallis.

I then headed north-east towards Stuston, but not before stopping to take a picture of this warning sign.  Sadly, I saw no toads!

I have frequently by-passed Stuston church on my way to Diss –  it is down a narrow track – and was relieved to realise that I was actually making this pilgrimage at last.

However, as I approached the church it became clear that I was going to draw a complete blank here because most of the nave roof was off, and there were builders’ lorries etc blocking the car park. It did not seem fair to take a picture of the church in this state, so I resolved to visit some time in the future when it is all finished. Strange that their nave roof restoration coincides with our own chancel roof restoration at St. Mary’s, Worlingworth.

I crossed the A140 and took the Stradbroke road towards Oakley. I found that the church was up a long hill, away from the village, with no houses nearby. Evidence of Plague Pits recently discovered half-way up the hill suggests that the remaining villagers moved to a new location when the plague devastated the population living around the church – this might well be worth researching further.

The church stands in glorious isolation and deserves a good congregation. Even though Munro Cautley was not taken by anything inside, it has a very good south porch of two storeys, with lovely depictions in glass which are well worth the visit alone.

There are a lot of trees in the churchyard and I could not get any closer than this for my picture, without driving through the gates into the churchyard. The car looks great as usual, although my reflection looks like one of those toads I was to look out for!

Coming past Brome Hall, where Sir John Cornwallis died in 1544 – see Thrandeston above – Brome Street hamlet stops, and then, a little further on, Brome itself begins.

In St. Mary’s Brome is the tomb of Sir John and his wife – Mary, nee Sulyard. The guide here states that she went to live at Thrandeston after his death, but my research showed she died the same year as he did – this may need more clarification, although she could have died very soon after him.

Before I could get out my car I was inspected by the resident (noisy) peacock!

This is an interesting, round-towered (Saxon) church, with another very good leaflet.

As I left, I got into conversation with an “old boy”, and his reminiscences nicely rounded off a very enjoyable tour.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]From Worlingworth through Redlingfield to Eye. Turn left at Eye onto the B1117 and cross the A140 to Thorham Parva.

North from Thornham Parva along a country road and then right at the junction towards Yaxley.

From Yaxley, retrace towards Mellis and turn right just before Mellis at the village green. Right at the T junction into Thrandeston.

Continue east to regain the A140, taking the next left off the main road (B1077) towards Stuston. Its church is first right, down a track.

Regain the B1077 going north and turn right at the roundabout. Take the right exit (third) at the next roundabout, and then first left onto the Stradbroke road (B1118) towards Oakley. You will see Oakley church on the hill on your right – take the unpromising right turn before you arrive in Oakley.

From Oakley church, continue to a right turn and follow the road round into Brome.

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

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When Bridge Classic Cars went to Le Mans 24hr

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]It is one of the most prestigious automobile races in the world and Bridge Classic Cars were lucky enough to attend this year’s event. Known as ‘The Grand Prix of Endurance and Efficiency’ the 24 Hours of Le Mans is the world’s oldest active sports car race in endurance racing, held annually since 1923 near the town of Le Mans, France.

Source: 24 Hours of Le Mans Official Website

Wednesday 13th June 2017

10am to 3pm – Fringe events – Pitwalk – Anyone with a pit walk ticket can wander around the pits all day and take a look at each team’s set-up for the race. Meanwhile, the mechanics continue working on the cars to get them ready for the practice and qualifying sessions.

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