2025/2026 Programme
Monday 6th October:
Dr Michael Walker FRSA
A Hard and Grievous Battle: the Siege of Haughley Castle and the Battle of Fornham in 1173
An exciting illustrated lecture bringing to life little-known but crucial events in Suffolk of 850 years ago. These events are packed with dramatic incidents, and populated with extraordinary people. It covers in particular the invasion of Suffolk by Leicester and his army of Flemish mercenaries, his campaign across Suffolk, the successful siege and fall of Haughley Castle, the role of Bury St Edmunds and of Saint Edmund’s body and banner, and in detail the events of the Battle of Fornham. It is the first study in depth of this battle, which has previously been overlooked, and restores it to prominence as a turning point in Henry’s eventual victory in the Great Revolt. The book of the same title will be on sale after the talk.
Monday 27th October
Dr Pat Murrell
Parting Gestures, Having the Last Word
An opportunity to hear a fascinating account of early eighteenth century provincial life in Bury and beyond. In this lecture Dr Murrell considers some of the more unusual last wishes found in the wills of late Stuart and Georgian Suffolk people. When it came to having their final say, there were those who certainly did not hold back. Ranging from the more mundane to the outright bizarre, they include attempts to control the lives of others from beyond the grave. Nothing sombre about this offering!
Monday 1st December
Mr Tim Whiting
A Millwrights Journey
Tim began his career by working for a family-based firm making chairs in Suffolk, including commissions from The Royal Family, after completing an advanced course in woodworking at Suffolk University College. Tim’s interest in mills began when he grew up in the shadows of Friston Mill in Suffolk and learned from the last miller there, Bob Wright. With his workshop still on the site of the mill, Tim was asked to undertake some timber repairs in 2005 with Vincent Pargeter, who taught Tim all about mills. In 2011, Tim began millwrighting and set up Suffolk Millwright.
Tim now leads an ever growing team, maintaining over 20 windmills across the country and restoring and repairing private and public windmills and watermills.
Monday 5th January
Emerson Critchley
Restoration of Greggs, Abbeygate Street
Commercial Restoration at the “fanciest” Greggs: This project is not just a renovation of the Grade 2 historic outlet, but a journey back in time, uncovering stories and preserving heritage. The building, now housing Greggs, has been a cornerstone of Bury St Edmunds’ commercial history. The project aims to retain and restore as much of the original architecture and design as possible, especially elements like the potentially original gothic glazing bars.
The project is a collaborative effort with various local historians and the Bury Town Trust and is expected to take a year or more to complete. The team at ECL are committed to restoring this building in a way that will stand the test of time.
Monday 2nd February
Louise Moan
Prehistoric and Anglo–Saxon remains at Abbots Vale, Bury St Edmunds
Louise is a Senior Project Manager for the Cambridge office of Oxford Archaeology and has been working on and running archaeological projects across the East of England for the past 20 years.
Monday 2nd March
Annual General Meeting followed by
Neal Dodge, Suffolk Guild of Ringers
Bells of Bury and Beyond
Neal will cover the history of the bells in Bury of the various churches, the ringing that has taken place, the bell founders of Bury, and explain about change ringing and its general history.
