The Francis Frith Collection.
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Bildeston, Suffolk

Bildeston photos

Displaying 3 of 9 old photos of Bildeston.   View all Bildeston photos

Bildeston, the Village c1965 photo

Bildeston, the Village c1965

Bildeston, Aerial View c1965 photo

Bildeston, Aerial View c1965

Bildeston, Duke Street c1955 photo

Bildeston, Duke Street c1955

Bildeston photos
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Bildeston maps

Historic maps of Bildeston and the local area, hand-drawn by Ordnance Survey and Samuel Lewis.   View all Bildeston maps

Bildeston map

Historic map of Bildeston

Suffolk map

Illustrated Victorian map of Suffolk

Bildeston map

Historic Map of any Bildeston postcode

Bildeston maps
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Memories of Bildeston

Bildeston memories
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Displaying a selection of personal memories of Bildeston .
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My Early Years

Hi, I guess it's one of those things you do as you get older, to take a walk down memory lane and to do a little bit of reminiscing. I was doing such a thing when I came across this photo of the village in Bildeston and saw the old house in the High Street that as a child and also in my early teens I lived in with my parents. When we lived there it was the local fish and chip shop. We also had a mobile shop that my dad used to take around to the outlying areas, to Watisham and Lavenham, I believe. Those were good days. There are many memories of my years in the primary school but none more than when my teacher (I can't remember his name) attempted to get me to go to an assembly. I had no idea what that was then and wasn't going to go so when he picked me up to take me in to the hall I kicked him rather hard and he put me back down. Once I learned that assemblies were good things I enjoyed them. I don't remember getting punished for that incident though.

My years at Hadleigh High School are still very precious and my woodwork teacher probably has no idea that it was because of his teaching me the skills of woodwork that I eventually did my apprenticeship in the building trade and built houses here in New Zealand for over 20 years.  

I also remember the great times we had at the local Baptist Church and one of the Youth Leaders teaching me to play the guitar. I still play and have continued to play in the church where I am the Senior Pastor. I have very fond memories of Bildeston and one day would like to return there to introduce my wife and family to the beauty of the Suffolk countryside and one of the greatest little villages I was privileged to live in during the 1960s.

Shared on Thursday, June 26, 2008 by Steve Clark.

Suffolk memories

Josphen Culling

Joseph Culling was my Great Great Grandfather, he was born in Offton in 1819. He married an Eliza who was born in 1802 in Semer, they had 4 children, Charles, Emma, Patience and Dinah (my great grandmother). Does anyone know of this family, they are very elusive and I cannot find many references to them.
Christine Harris

Shared on Tuesday, March 10, 2009 by Christine Harris.

Historical Information

Hi I am from New Zealand and from information I have my ancestors came from Semer the male name is johnson and the Female maiden name was Cuthbert, the only info I have indicates that they lived there in the mid 1700's i would be plesed to know any information about the town etc or if any Johnsons or Cuthberts still live there thank you Don Johnson

Shared on Wednesday, December 13, 2006 by Don Johnson.

Family

My maiden name is GAME and I've just started researching that side of my family tree, unfortunately due to the fact my dad didn't know too much about his dad's side of the family I had to send away for my Grandad's birth certificate. On receiving the certificate it placed his birth in Brent Eleigh and I was then away. I discovered my family went back to about 1750 in this delightful village, it could go back further but I haven't yet looked.
I visited Brent Eleigh and St Mary's church and what a lovely place tucked away in Suffolk, the church is set in a small area surrounded by trees, it was so peaceful. I found my GG Uncle and Aunt's grave and a few more "cousins" and also there were two of my cousins on the war memorial in the church.
My GGGG Granddad Thomas Game was 96 years old when he died and his last residence was the Almshouses at Brent Eleigh.
Out of my 4 blood lines 3 originate from West Suffolk in the Cosford area, this was my last one to find and along with the others. It's such a beautiful place.

Shared on Thursday, June 05, 2008 by Linda Upson.