It’s great to hear that the village hall is a really appreciated local resource. If you’re thinking of having a family event don’t forget the village hall, right here on our doorsteps. The letter below also gives us some lovely memories of times gone by.
“Dear Jean
I want to thank you for the help and support you gave me at the Family Reunion on 12 September.
My 3 brothers and 6 sisters all went to the school before the Hall became a hall. 3 of us went to Harleston Secondary Modern when it changed in 1951 when 11 year olds went to Secondary Moderns. If you maths is good that’s 10 children. We didn’t all live at Boyndie Farm. Some lived with our grandfather at Cherrytree Farm. Our uncle lived on the left side at the top of Mill Lane. The Whurr family has a long association with Needham. I have traced it back to the early 1800s and I believe a lot longer than that. My mother played a small part in the purchase of the school for the village.
It was a big surprise for everyone to see the difference it has made. It’s a wonderful venue for everyone to use. What is so nice is that you have very piece of equipment anyone would need.
On the 40s and 50s the Village had a shop/PO and cricket team. I remember village fetes and social nights in the village school which people went to church and Sunday School (not by choice) and also children and adults went round the houses carol singing at Christmas collecting money for the church, of course. As children we spent our time by the river at the Mill or in the sandpit opposite the council houses. There always seemed to be a policeman in the village ready to correct you or confiscate your catapult.
On 5 November we made our own bonfire from rubbish we collected from houses - paper, clothing and waste oil from Thurlows Garage. We cut bushes and branches off trees. On the night we would put potatoes in the ashes. What was good fun, the boys thought, was making girls jump with bangers. They weren’t the bangers of today - today they are too powerful.
Although everything was rationed we, as children, enjoyed our life scrounging chewing gum from American servicemen. Also American cigarettes if we could. Even the adults craved the fags. Also scavenging from the American dumps at Mendham/Weybread. Some boys had canoes made from the tip/tank of crashed aircraft.”
Jack Whurr
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