87. The yawl, "Hope", c1905

The two photos above and below are of the yawl "Hope." One as she was about 100 years ago alongside the jetty at Woodbridge and the second as she is now, in the mud, just up the river. She has been in her present position since 1914. The yawl "Hope", of Cardiff, was probably originally built as a yacht and was owned by R H Rowland, whose department store in the Thoroughfare is now (2005) Woolworths.
The "Hope" carried principally paraffin from London to light the thousands of oil lamps that were in use in those days. She carried other cargo, probably hardware mostly for Rowland's business. Cargo going to London is unknown but was possible timber.

She was not as large as some of the thousands of barges that plied the route. The old photo is in my possession because my grandfather was believed to have skippered her for a time.
I am indebted to Robert Simper, the respected local author of several books on the maritime history of the East Coast, for most of the information. When I walked along the sea wall to find the wreck I asked one of the occupants of a houseboat if he knew where she might lie and much to my surprise he replied, "Oh, the old paraffin barge!" Therefore, I have confirmation from two sources, which tends to corroborate the facts.
    Contributed by Alan Powell 10 October 2005

Additional information:
The hope was moved to her final resting place in 1912, she was the burned because she was rotten. There were three boats Faith, Hope and Charity.

Nick Rowland, 11 December 2006

88. The yawl "Hope" 2005

 

89. 1913-14 Football Team. This one looks like it was taken at the bottom of someone's back garden, maybe somebody will know their names, or where it was taken, could this have been the Woodbridge football team during the war years?

Another possible explanation was sent to me on Tuesday, 27June, 2006:
From: nancollas.mike#btinternet.com, Mike Nancollas
I just noticed this photo on your site and it looks to me by the badges on their arms that they are probably Boy Scouts, maybe a scouts team.

And here's an incredible "turn-up for the books" - this photograph, sent from New Zealand. Read on...!

89a. Hello Linn,
The photo of Boy Scouts 1913-14 was taken in the same place as the photo above of the 5 Barker brothers. You will note the guy 2nd from left in the rear row in your photo is the same as the one seated on the right in the lower photo, He is Charles Barker born in 1894 which would have made him 19-20yrs in the "scouts" photo. The photo's may have been taken in the photographer's garden, or maybe in the Barker's garden. In the 1901 census their address was given as Mill Hills, Woodbridge but they may have moved before the photo's were taken. By the way the Barker brother's are:
rear Robert, Albert and William [Bill] and in the front Arthur and Charlie.
Looking closely at the photos it looks like the same chairs were used. There were no markings on the reverse of the lower photo that I can recall and sadly the original seems to have been mislaid. The Arthur in the lower photo is my husband's grandfather. Hope this maybe be of some help to you.
Regards Gill Barker
petergill(at)paradise.net.nz

 

 

90. The Church Lads' Brigade 1918
Photo and caption provided by Phil Shimmon, presently in Melvindale, Michigan, USA
The church lads' brigade, taken on the Market Hill Woodbridge 1918. It shows the righthand side of the square looking up towards Angel Lane.

Notice the name H. KIMBER, that was the fish & chip shop. In the front row of boys with the drums is my uncle George, second one in, in the third row.  Standing on the end with his bugle tucked under his arm and his elbow almost touching the lady's wide brimmed hat is Chummy Goldsmith, and in the row behind him you'll notice one of the boys peering over the boy standing next to Chummy, that's my father, Bert Shimmon, aged twelve.
I remember my father telling me that he and his friends sometimes used to go down to the station and wait for the train to come in - they would then pay a penny and take the train ride to Melton station, were they got off and then had to walk home. I suppose it was quite a thrill in those days.

 

91. This old postcard shows the Castle Brewery, which stood at the corner of Castle Street and St John's Hill. Orientation can be helped by spotting the tower of St. Mary's church in the left background.

From a postcard, contributed by Philip Shimmon.

 

92. Woodbridge Town Football Club - winners of the Suffolk Junior Cup1908-09.
Some of the names are well known in Woodbridge history.
Are there descendants of these players still in the area?

With the aid of a magnifying glass, Phil Shimmon eventually deciphered the writing on the reverse, which reads:

SUFFOLK JUNIOR CUP COMPETITION.
SEASON, 1908-9
1st round, Woodbridge 2, 36th Battery R.F.A. 0.
2nd round, Woodbridge 6, St Mathew's 0.
3rd round, Woodbridge 2, Brantham 2.
Re-played tie, Woodbridge 3, Brantham 0.
Semi Final. Woodbridge 4, Felixstowe 3.
Final, Woodbridge 1, 27th Battery R.F.A. 1.
Replayed tie, Woodbridge 1, Battery 1.
After extra time Woodbridge won, 2.1
Goals for Woobridge, 20, Against, 7.

From a postcard, contributed by Philip Shimmon.

 

93. Woodbridge Golf Club clubhouse.

Contributed by Philip Shimmon. From a postcard, contributed by Philip Shimmon.

 

94. Woodbridge Golf Club bridge.

From a postcard, contributed by Philip Shimmon.

 

95. Close-up detail from the Woodbridge Golf Club bridge card, above. Do you recognise anyone from this picture?

From a postcard, contributed by Philip Shimmon.

 

 

96. Woodbridge Comrades FC 1920- 21.
Can anyone say where this photo was taken?

From a postcard, contributed by Philip Shimmon.

 

97. Melton Road, towards Melton.
This used card is postmarked 12th October 1926. The view has changed little over the past nearly 80 years.

Contributed by Brian Richman.

 

 

98. Melton Hill.
This scene is just a little further down the road from the scene above, and the view has changed little on the left but on the right is now a new development on the site of Deben Mill (not the tide mill).

Contributed by Brian Richman.

 

99. The Avenue, Woodbridge. Kingston fields and the tennis courts are now on the right of this avenue,
and the railway crossing is still at the end of the road, with a car park on the left.

From a postcard, contributed by Philip Shimmon.