Come and join us for an afternoon tea party to honour the Suffolk Land Girls.
Step back in time and experience a glimpse of the Land Girls’ daily lives during WW2, co-hosted by the Barrow Benefice and The Suffolk Women's Land Army Memorial Trust.
When and where?
1pm-5pm
Sunday, 9th June 2024
Saxham Hall, Bury St Edmunds, IP29 5JW
co-hosted with:
Saxham Hall, located just outside Bury St Edmunds, provides a historic backdrop for such an occasion hosted with kind permission of Mr & Mrs O Winkler von Stiernhielm. This family event, co-hosted with Barrow Benefice, will be both informative and enjoyable, where you can see living displays and exhibits including photographs, memorabilia and stories that highlight the women’s contributions to the war effort.
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You will hear from Nicky Reynolds, a WLA historian, about the invaluable contributions women made during these difficult times. Additionally, former Suffolk Land Girls and their families have been invited and will be recognised for their service with a certificate of gratitude.
There will be music popular during the wartime era, creating a lively and immersive atmosphere alongside a taste of homemade wartime style refreshments.
All funds raised will be dedicated to the creation of a permanent memorial statue in honour of the Suffolk Land Girls - The Suffolk Women's Land Army Memorial Trust will oversee this project.
This sensory experience will transport you back in time to a unique period in history!
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What's On:
An exhibition of Suffolk WLA ephemera
Talks and displays of our research so far
The screening of Holly Brega’s documentary ‘The Land Girls and Horses of Suffolk’
Some superb living history displays
Meet Jim, the Suffolk Punch Horse
Book signing
Splendid 1940’s style tea party with piano accompaniment!
Ticket Prices:
Tickets include entry, tea/coffee/soft drink, cake and a sandwich!
£20 for a family of 2 adults and 2 children
£10 per adult
£2.50 per child
Under 5's go free
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- sorry no dogs, livestock on estate.
This will take you to our external ticket booking site, SumUp.
If you would like to pay on the day, please reserve your tickets by emailing us on: suffolkwlamemorialtrust@outlook.com
Sponsorship Available
click here for more information
Further Information:
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Camping?
We have a campsite discount code for those travelling. Please use code '1940s' with Church View Campsite, Barrow. 5 minute drive from the event.
https://www.churchviewcampsite.co.uk/
Contact Details:
The Suffolk Women’s Land Army Memorial Trust: suffolkwlamemorialtrust@outlook.com
Barrow Benefice: revlyndasebbage@gmail.com
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About The Suffolk Women’s Land Army Memorial Trust:
Our Mission Statement
The Suffolk Women's Land Army Memorial Trust honours the memory of all women who served in the Women's Land Army and Women's Timber Corps in Suffolk during World War Two.
Background and Development
In 2019 Nicky Reynolds and Vicky Abbott embarked on a project in partnership with Suffolk Archives to create a research-based exhibition and local history resource called ‘Soil Sisters – putting the WLA in Suffolk on the Map’ as part of their Sharing Suffolk Stories programme to celebrate the opening of the Hold, the new county archives facility.
The project produced resources including a residual information provision sitting within the Suffolk Archives website, a set of twelve display story boards that tell the Suffolk story, and an interactive map on History Pin that documents the people and places connected to Land Army service in Suffolk during World War Two.
https://www.suffolkarchives.co.uk/sharing-suffolk-stories/soil-sisters/
https://www.historypin.org/en/soil-sisters-the-women-s-land-army-in-suffolk/
Following on from the huge success of the project as part of Suffolk Archives ‘Women Don’t Do Such Things’ Exhibition in February 2022, those involved in the project decided to create a permanent and lasting memorial to the Women’s Land Army and Timber Corps in Suffolk.
The creation of The Suffolk Women’s Land Army Memorial Trust by trustees Nicky Reynolds, Vicky Abbott, Sue Dring and Holly Brega has built on the research undertaken, and fundraising is underway in order to commission an artist to create a memorial statue that will pay tribute to the women who served.
The memorial will be accompanied by the creation of a digital roll of honour that can be accessed via the internet – telling the service stories of the thousands of women who came from and to this county to work as part of the Women’s Land Army and Women’s Timber Corps during World War Two.
https://www.suffolkwomenslandarmy.com/
About Barrow Benefice:
Our benefice includes five lovely Suffolk churches, each with its own unique identity, and history that extends beyond 1,000 years! They are lovingly cared for by the people in the parishes who are all committed to keeping the churches in the best possible condition for both now, and for future generations. Our churches are open each day – offering a place of rest and reflection, a chance to pray and the opportunity to discover more about our work and the worshipping family of Christ.
Our services work on a rotation system and usually there is at least three Holy Communion services every Sunday morning (please see the monthly service listing for further information). We also have a short service of holy communion on a Tuesday morning at 0930 in Barrow, and Evening Prayer on a Thursday at 5.00pm which is by Zoom. Other services are also available such as a Pet Service, Taize, Songs of Praise, and Family Services. And of course, baptisms (christenings) and weddings. Our churches welcome children and families and we provide areas where children can play safely.
We are a very busy benefice committed to serving our community – from offering food to those who need additional support, or microwaves, slow cookers, warm clothing, and other forms of help. This, we believe, is sharing the love of Christ with our neighbour – we serve and reach out to all in love and generosity.
We are here for you. If you feel lonely or just keen to have a chat, give me a call. We can and will pray for you. If you need additional support, then make contact. And if you would like to join our family then you would be most welcome.