Although it is a village with a long history, the Fressingfield Local History and Archive Group (FLHAG) was formed around 16 years ago to create an archive of photographs, documents, maps, recollections and memorabilia which would provide a learning resource for everybody interested in the village, its growth and population. It is a very successful and lively Group and the membership currently is 40 and growing. The Group usually meets on the fourth Tuesday each month at the Methodist Chapel in New Street. Meetings start at 7-30 and end around 9-30pm. New members are always welcome. From 2023 the annual subscription will be £15 which reflects the increased cost of speakers. although an extra charge is made occasionally when we organise visits or special events. Guests are charged £5.00
We are grateful to the Parish Council for their financial support and to the Methodist Church for allowing us to use the Church School room where the Archive is stored .
We try to organise a varied programme of events and meetings. We engage speakers to talk about local or Suffolk County historical subjects but these are interspersed with more homespun events or visits to Country Houses etc. To illustrate the varied range of topics we cover see below a copy of the programme for 2023.
One of the most successful past events we organised was in 2009, the celebrations to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the Guild Hall, now occupied by the famous Fox and Goose Restaurant. Dozens of villagers dressed up in Tudor Costumes to engage in a series of activities and events including a market, a play, craft fair, dancing on the green, lectures, Tudor music and sports The program for 2023 is as varied and interesting as ever
FLHAG has a wonderful collection of documents and photographs, often donated by families and friends with strong connections to Fressingfield. We should like to share some of these from our vast collection via this website. The photos have been grouped into themes. This link will take you to the galleries page.
We have produced a series of books about the history of Fressingfield and other related subjects. We also have reference books .
Looking Back at Fressingfield Village life before 1750 and from 1851 to 1951 £5.00
A Century of a Suffolk Village Covering 1750 to 1851 £4.00
Fifty Years of Fressingfield 1952 - 2002 £5.00
The Age of Horses Photographs and recollections from the past £1.00
We Wanted for Nothing Recording changes seen by the older inhabitants £1.25
Life Was Hard but We Were Happy Notes and photographs of Dorothy Fenn b.1911. £2.50
The evolution of a village .The changes from the beginnings of the village to the present day.£2.50
Copies are available from the village shop or by contacting Mary, details above. These are subject to P & P
The programme for 2023 is as varied and interesting as ever
FLHAG has a wonderful collection of documents and photographs, often donated by families and friends with strong connections to Fressingfield. We should like to share some of them with you on a regular basis via this website.Many of the photos have been grouped into themes.
The Chairman is Ken Rowbottom 01379 588012 or email ken.rowbottom@gmail.com
The Secretary is Norman Ansell 01379 586811 or email ansellnorman@hotmail.com
Our archivist is Matthew Newman 07490 705809 or email matnewman80@gmail.com
