Newsletter

Woodbridge & Melton Society Newsletter

The Society publishes a newsletter twice a year, one in March and the other in September. It contains information about the Society's activities and news about planning matters that have been considered by the Society's Planning Group during the previous few months. 


The articles in the newsletter cover a range of topics about aspects of life in and around Woodbridge & Melton. The newsletter is sent to all Society members and is made available to the general public at Woodbridge Library. The content editor is Tim Cornford and the production editor is Carol Wiseman. If you would like to contact the Society about its newsletter, please use the form on the Contact Us page and select 'Newsletter' as the subject.


To view a digital version of the latest newsletter, click on the button below. The document will open as a PDF file in a new browser tab or window, or as a download on your device.

Newsletter Spring 2024

In this issue: Society Meetings and Visits / Society website / Planning Matters / Sir Archibald Edward Garrod / 1400-year-old Temple Discovered / Lambert's Family Almanac / An Introduction to the East Suffolk Railway Line / Melton Old Church / Responding to Local Need / Ipswich Town Foundation / Quiz Answers / Creating Deben Meadows / The Tale of the Sutton Hoo Windows / Poem: Vernal Equinox / The Woodbridge Story

Newsletter Archive and Index

Listed below are back issues of the Society's half-yearly Newsletter, each one with a summary of its contents. If you are looking for articles on a particular subject, you can browse our Newsletter Index via the link below. You can download any of these documents by clicking on the link provided. The document will open as a PDF file in a new browser tab or window, or as a download on your device.

Newsletter Index
  • 2023

    Spring 2023 - Download here


    In this issue: The Future of the Council Offices Site / Summer Visits 2023 / Air Quality / Blue Plaque for Margaret Rope / Thomas Churchyard of Woodbridge / Managing Planning in East Suffolk / Sea Scouts Flourishing and Expanding / Trees of the Old Cemetery / Planning Matters / A Guiding Centenary / The Story of a Street: Cumberland Street / Leonard Geoffrey Hayward in the Great War / Our Climate Emergency / Worst Floods in Living Memory


    Autumn 2023 - Download here


    In this issue: Meetings for 2023/24 / Chair's letter to members / Planning Matters in Melton / The Street, Melton / Woodbridge and Melton in Numbers / Blue Plaque for Margaret Rope / Award for Woodbridge Architects / Melton Boatyard / Woodbridge Regatta / Song: To the Beautiful Green Deben / I-Spy Quiz / The Hackney Road Development / Memories of a Woodbridge Childhood / Four City Livery Company Masters: Apothecaries; Fruiterers; Information Technologists; Master Mariners / Summer Visits 2023 / Obituaries: Tony Hubbard and Michael Rines / The Birth of Woodbridge Theatre / Caroline Page

  • 2022

    Spring 2022 - Download here


    In this issue: Notes & news / Planning matters / Francis Light: From Woodbridge to Penang / The Deben Scrolls / Quality of Place Awards / Market Hill Thrives / Diary of an Earlier Pandemic / Lockdown Legacies 3 / Defending Suffolk against the French / Thomas Churchyard Exhibition / Lockdown Legacies 4 / Sister Thick's Recollections / My County's Heritage / Society Visits 2021


    Autumn 2022 - Download here


    In this issue: News notes / Letter from the Chair / Planning Matters / The Story of a Street: Thoroughfare / Is the Thoroughfare Serving Us? / Memories of the Mayflower / Woodbridge in the Thirties / The Story of a Woodbridge Atlas / Mrs Macdonald's Ball / Buttrum's Mill / Aspects of Localism / RAF Woodbridge and Operation Aphrodite / Tina Wiseman leaves the Riverside / New Manager at the Riverside / New Blue Plaques / Woodbridge Quay Church / Summer Visits 2022

  • 2021

    Spring 2021 - Download here


    In this issue: Society meetings, summer visits & website / Planning Matters / A Walk in the Woods / New Buildings 2010-2020: A Critical Review / The State of the Stock / The Growth of Retirement Flats / The Story of a Street: Quay Street / Home-Start in Suffolk


    Autumn 2021 - Download here


    In this issue: Planning Matters / Society meetings, notes & news / Rendlesham Revealed: Anglo-Saxon Life in South-East Suffolk / Lockdown Legacies 1 / Anniversaries 1: The Woodbridge Society / RAF Woodbridge / Anniversaries 2: The Methodist Church / Lockdown Legacies 2 / The Medieval Port of Goseford / Woodbridge Museum / Anniversaries 3: The Tide Mill / The Story of a Street: Crown Place / St Anne's School / Youth Voice / Coronavirus Daily Update / Memories

  • 2020

    Spring 2020 - Download here


    In this issue: Planning Matters / Which Way Building Design? / Society Visits / Tribute to Bob Merrett / Sutton Hoo Wins Landscape Award / A Broom Heath Link to an Ipswich Mill / A Historian's View of the Deben Estuary / Saltmarshes of the River Deben / The Woodbridge Boatyard / The Yacht that Became a Classic / Robertson's Boatyard / The River as Recreation / The Mills of the Deben / The Woodbridge Harbour Master


    Autumn 2020 - Download here


    In this issue: Society membership, meetings & website update / Planning Matters / Replacement of the Airey Houses / Woodbridge's Green Spaces / Suffolk Coast & Heaths AONB / Research on Nature and Health / The Earth's Three Trillion Trees / Deben Community Farm / Cemetery Grass Cutting / The Story of a Street: Church Street & Turn Lane / Woodbridge & Great Bealings / Jetty Lane / What Lies Beneath? 

  • 2019

    Autumn 2019 - Download here


    In this issue: Planning Matters / Rock Barracks: Home of 23 Parachute Engineer Regiment / Society Meetings 2019-20 / The History of St Audry's Hospital 1829-1993 / Woodbridge Conservation Area / Woodbridge Society Visits 2019 / Transition Woodbridge / Akenfield 50 Years On / The Society Website and Email / Home Truths


    Spring 2019 - Download here


    In this issue: Planning Matters / Woodbridge Haven Museum / £43 per Bin / What is a Countryman? / Sandlings Farming / Suffolk Agricultural Association / Society Visits 2019 / A Dementia-Friendly Town? / The Woodbridge Memory Bike / Customer Service / Dementia Screenings / Shipbuilding in Woodbridge / Sizewell C / Shingle Street: a poem

  • 2018

    Autumn 2018 - Download here


    In this issue: Society Meetings 2018-19 / The State of Suffolk / Woodbridge's New Town Clerk / Planning Matters / Nigel Barratt Reflects / The Seckford Foundation: Recent Initiatives / What is Jetty Lane? / Remembering the Great War / The Sutton Hoo Project


    Spring 2018 - Download here


    In this issue: Planning Matters / Archaeological Investigation for East Anglia ONE / Saving our Suffolk Swifts / Woodbridge Swifts / The Story of a Street: Theatre Street & Burkitt Road / Celebrating our Conservation Areas / Woodbridge Wins Two Major Design Awards / A Pattern Language: Another Perspective on the Whisstocks Development / A Local Architect Remembered

  • 2017

    Autumn 2017 - Download here


    In this issue: Planning Matters / Blue Plaque for Roger Notcutt / The Story of a Street: New Street / Archaeology and Royal Rendlesham / The Riverside Trust / Writing The King's River / Summer Visits / The Co-op in Woodbridge / Move out Budgens; Move in Co-op / Traffic and Parking: Your Letters / SCDC in Numbers and Pictures / Woodbridge on Show / Family Businesses


    Spring 2017 - Download here


    In this issue: Traffic and Parking / Dorothy Kellogg / The Environment Agency / Woodbridge's Outstanding Residential Care / The Story of a Street: Seckford Street and Drybridge Hill / Planning Matters / The Horticultural Society Annual Flower Show / New Chair for Choose Woodbridge / Martlesham Heath Centenary / The Society in 2015-16


  • 2016

    Autumn 2016 - Download here


    In this issue: Clifford Smith - a Profile / Barracks and Burials / Community Planning / The Vision for Whisstocks / The Story of a Street: Market Hill / Planning Matters / Bawdsey Radar: A Major Restoration / Talks 2016-17 / Comment on a Traffic-free Thoroughfare / Summer Visits


    Spring 2016 - Download here


    In this issue: Charles Notcutt 1934-2015 / Conserving the River Deben / Woodbridge - a Poem / Woodbridge Shakespeare 400 / Planning Matters / New Street School - the Historical Background / Memories of New Street School / School Places in Woodbridge / The Drums of the Fore and Aft / Economic Development in Woodbridge / Summer Visits

  • 2015

    Autumn 2015 - Download here


    In this issue: Old Court House / Summer Visits / Planning Matters / Choose Woodbridge / Cobbolds of Woodbridge / Why Woodbridge / Talks 2015-16 / A Whisstocks Montage


    Spring 2015 - Download here


    In this issue: Summer Visits / Woodbridge's Future Development / Past and Future Expansion of Woodbridge / How the Society Began / Letter to the Editor / Choose Woodbridge / Dates for the Diary  

  • 2014

    Autumn 2014 - Download here


    In this issue: The housing preservation dilemma / Planning Group Report / Conservation Area / Summer Visits / Skateboarding in Woodbridge / Woodbridge's Outstanding Businesses / Choose Woodbridge / Autumn/Winter Talks


    Spring 2014 - Download here


    In this issue: New Chairman / Nunn's Mill & Whisstocks / Summer Visits / New Company to Run the County's Libraries / Woodbridge Sea Scouts / Woodbridge Shufflers / More Shops Opening / Youth Charity Just 42

  • 2013

    Autumn 2013 - Download here


    In this issue: SCDC's Core Strategy / Planning Group Report / Overhead Wires Removal / Winter Lectures / Choose Woodbridge / Suffolk's Finest Bells: St Mary's / A Constant Organist / Ives: Six Generations in Shoes / Summer Visits Report / Improving Rail Service


    Spring 2013 - Download here


    In this issue: Planning Group Report / Sizewell Parking Plans / Summer Visits / The Choose Woodbridge Organisation / Mike Rowland's Long Service / The History of our Inns, Taverns and Ale Houses / An Appreciation of Woodbridge Writers

  • 2012

    Autumn 2012 - Download here


    In this issue: Planning Group Report / Mixed Development for Whisstocks / Winter Talks / Report on Summer Visits / Russell Green: a Lifetime's Service to Woodbridge / Webb Brothers' Tradition of Service / Suffolk Coast & Heaths / Protecting the Deben / Lindos Leads the World / The Small Ships Story


    Spring 2012 - Download here


    In this issue: Planning Group Report / This Summer's Visits / The Tide Mill Restored / Past Jubilees in Woodbridge / Seckford Hall / Seckford Hall Hotel / How Notcutts Has Grown / From Hospital to Factory / Brafe Engineering / Frames by Robert / Akray's Role in the Fight against Diabetes

  • 2011

    Autumn 2011 - Download here


    In this issue: Planning Report / Summer Visits Success / The 2011-12 Lectures / Norman Scarfe Profiled / Special Report on Book Shops and Publishers: Shops & Library; Boydell & Brewer; Robert Simper; Top That!; Pro-Book; Antique Collectors' Club; Seafarer Books


    Spring 2011 - Download here


    In this issue: Planning Report / Membership News / The Town's Business Base / Peter Clay / Professor Colin Richmond / Summer Visits / Alexander Menswear Shop

  • 2010

    Autumn 2010 - Download here


    In this issue: Planning Group Report / Funds for the Tide Mill / Local Recorder's Role / Report on Summer Visits / Budgens' Role in the Community / Trapped in Fascist Italy / Woodbridge in the Napoleonic Wars / The Zeppelin Bomber / 4,200 Crash Landings / Threat to Red Cross


    Spring 2010 - Download here


    In this issue: Planning Group Report / New Chairman / The Crown Resurgent / Has Woodbridge Become a Clone Town? / SCDC Cost Cuts a Blow to Woodbridge in Bloom / Summer Visits / Three Distinguished Immigrants / Treasures of the Seckford Collection / Books on Woodbridge

  • 2009

    Autumn 2009 - Download here


    In this issue: Planning News / Profile of Tony Hubbard / Barretts Family Business / How to Build a Vision for Woodbridge / The Worst and the Best / An Architect's Impression / Italian Market's Lesson


    Spring 2009Download here


    In this issue: First Blue Plaques Unveiled / Proposals for Nunn's Mill Site / Kitchen Company's 25 Years in the Town / Town Centre Management / Edward Fitzgerald / Education in Woodbridge

  • 2008

    Autumn 2008 - Download here


    In this issue: Planning News / Seckford's Lasting Legacy / Super Service Optician / A Creative Partnership / The Lions' Largesse / The Rotary Double Act / Maritime Woodbridge / A Hiddden Memorial


    Spring 2008 - Download here


    In this issue: Celebrating the Town's Charities / Planning Matters / Woodbridge in Bloom / Thomas Seckford's Legacy / The Story of the Almshouses / Attractive Stonework a Reminder of a Talented Family / Charities under One Roof / Giving Youth a Real Chance

  • 2007

    Autumn 2007 - Download here


    In this issue: Green Flags for Elmhurst Park / Planning News / Changes to the Planning System / Browsers / A Town Councillor's View / Town Council Powers / Shire Hall's Saxon Link / Community Council / Woodbridge Art Club / The Story of the Museum / Builders of the Castle


    Spring 2007 - Download here


    In this issue: Performing Arts Riches / Planning News / Don't Turn a Deaf Ear / A Great Song and Dance / Award Winning Dramas / Century of Classical Music / Brass Band Sets a Record / Choral Group's Challenge / The New Seckford Asset / Shows Saved Cinema / First Theatre Built in 1813

  • 2006

    Autumn 2006 - Download here


    In this issue: Our Maritime Heritage / Obituary: BIll Williams / Planning News / A Vision for Whisstocks / Hearing Care Arrives / Woolworth Black Mark / Robertson's Tradition / Four Stars for Marina / Tide Mill's Ambitions / Deben Yacht Club / Cruising Club's DiY / Club that Rose from the Ashes / Walks with History


    Spring 2006 - Download here


    In this issue: A Town at the Crossroads / Planning News / Planner's New Powers / Decisions on Tesco Fund / Protect Your Home / Regional Plans Threat / The Riverside Activists / Trade and our Town / Olde Bell and Steelyard / House that was a Prison / Our Penicillin Hero / Our Most Popular Shop / A Horticultural History

  • 2005

    Autumn 2005 - Download here


    In this issue: Chairman's Comments / Society Affairs / Planning News / Summer Outings / Events in the Town / Lecture Programme / P&R Locksmiths / Town Quiz / Profile: Frank Knights / RSPB in Woodbridge / Lady Rachel Bridges / Edward Manson Clockmaker / Our Quaker Legacy / A Chequered History in Theatre Street / Top That! Publishing


    Spring 2005 - Download here


    In this issue: Chairman's Comment / Society Affairs / Latest Planning News / How the Planning Group Works / Summer Visits / Do You Know Your Town? / Why the King of Italy Came to Woodbridge / Soaring Strings on Market Hill / St George's Day / Gibbins: Tradition with a High-Tec Twist / EGM Minutes / New Constitution

  • 2004

    Autumn 2004 - Download here


    In this issue: Chairman's Comments / Society Accounts for 2003/4 / Society AGM 2004 / Letter to County Council re Woodbridge Primary School / Summer Visits 2004 / Lecture Programme 2004/5 / Planning Matters / Newsletter Editor / Membership Secretary's Notes


    Spring 2004 - Download here


    In this issue: Chairman's Comment / The Summer Programme / Planning Matters / Woodbridge & Melton Riverside Plan / Notcutts Garden Centre / Woodbridge of the 70s / Woodbridge & Melton Local Transport Plan

  • 2003

    Autumn 2003 - Download here


    In this issue: Chairman's Report / News from The Hard / Lecture Programme 2003-4 / Summer Programme / Planning Matters / Traffic Concerns / Future of the River Deben Waterfront


    Spring 2003 - Download here


    In this issue: Chairman's Comments / New from the Hard / Summer Programme / Martin Bell / Planning Matters / Traffic Control / Treasurer's Report

  • 2002

    Autumn 2002 - Download here


    In this issue: Chairman's Comments / Summer Programme /  Treasurer's Report / News from the Hard / Planning Matters


    Spring 2002 - Download here


    In this issue: Chairman's Comments / In Memoriam / Daley Briscoe - President / News from the Hard / Summer Programme / Planning Matters / Treasurer's Report

  • 2001

    Autumn 2001 - Download here


    In this issue: Chairman's Comment / Tribute to Col. Battye / Lecture Programme / I Heaven a Timber-framed Building? / Planning Matters / Bentwaters: Is It All Over? / Wooodbridge & Melton Strategic Partnership / Treasurer's Report / Summer Programme


    Spring 2001 - Download here


    In this issue: Chairman's Comment / I Remember / Winter Lectures / Planning Matters / The Deben Mill / Woodbridge Museum / A Town for all Seasons / Woodbridge Tide Mill / Summer Programme

  • 2000

    Autumn 2000 - Download here


    In this issue: Chairman's Comment / Church of St Mary / Suffolk Coastal Plan / Planning Matters / Treasurer's Report / Summer Programme / Meetings Programme / Book Review / Woodbridge Rotary Club


    Spring 2000 - Download here


    In this issue: Chairman's Comments / Woodbridge Remembered / Treasurer's Report / Summer Programme

  • 1999

    Autumn 1999 - Download here


    In this issue: Chairman's Comment /  Forthcoming Events / Treasurer's Report / Out and About


    Spring 1999 - Download here


    In this issue: Chairman's Comment /  Forthcoming Events / Out and About / Treasurer's Report / Sutton Hoo Megabash / Deben Jottings

  • 1997

    Spring 1997 - Download here


    In this issue: Chairman's comment / Forthcoming events / The Initiative Working Group / Town Guides Needed / Bentwaters - A Need for Vigilance / Summer visits / Planning Report 

  • 1996

    Autumn 1996 - Download here


    In this issue: Chairman's comment / Forthcoming events / Annual visit / Traffic in the Thoroughfare / Book review / Sutton Hoo Revival / Waterfront Clean-up / Summer visit / Planning report

  • 1995

    Spring 1995 - Download here


    In this issue: Chairman's comment / River jottings / Planning report / New Society chairman / Forthcoming events

  • 1994

    Spring 1994 - Download here


    In this issue: Chairman's comment / Another bad dream? / The Boat Inn / Woodbridge in Bloom / Forthcoming events / Deben jottings / New Woodbridgians / Planning Report


    Autumn 1994 - Download here


    In this issue: Chairman's comments / Forthcoming events / Breaking glass - broken hearts / Burkitt House / Planning report / Society growth

  • 1993

    Spring 1993 - Download here


    In this issue: Chairman's Comment / Water Water Everywhere! / Walking Round Felixstowe / Woodbridge Shop Survey / Events / Treasurer's Note / Visit to Hadleigh / Town Twinning

  • 1991

    Winter 1991 - Download here


    In this issue: Chairman's Comment / Visit to Notcutts / News from the Tide Mill / Visit to Southwold / Planning / Events / River Deben Association / Suffolk Horse Museum 

  • 1990

    Winter 1990 - Download here


    In this issue: Chairman's Comment / River Defences / Visit of Bury Society / 1991 Calendar / Traffic Matters / Subs and Meetings / Origins of a Golf Course

  • 1989

    Winter 1989 - Download here


    In this issue: Chairman's Comment / Town environment threats / Meetings and events / Cleaning the Deben / Planning 

  • 1988

    February 1988 - Download here


    In this issue: Meetings / Planning


    September 1988 - Download here


    In this issue: Meetings / Planning

Whisstocks
Whisstocks, Woodbridge

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