NEWSLETTER - FEBRUARY 1990

Hall Houses

SUBSCRIPTION BALL

Hall Houses

The talk by John Bloomfield on Hall Houses was well attended by Society members and visitors who comfortably filled the East House accommodation. The talk used Hadleigh not only as an illustration of the wealth of 14th and 15th Century buildings surviving in South East Anglia, but also by his records, as a way of speculating about those seemingly few early Hadleigh houses that John had not yet managed to get into. The telling point was made that most of the chimneys which can be seen in the older part of Hadleigh were built at a later date than the buildings in which they are today and that the 'open' hall was the predominant form of dwelling.

By means of models, (one of which subsequently proved the inherent strength of timber framed building when it was blown off the roof of his car), John showed the basic construction of the typical Hall house, nevertheless pointing out that Hadleigh had at least two very well built 13th century buildings, their differing styles predating the later conventional crown post roof, but doubtless providing some guide for the house builders of the day. By means of some eighty or so slides taken of houses in Hadleigh and the surrounding area, the quality and wealth of detail which had already been uncovered pointed towards the fact that there was a likelihood that more existed, ready to be destroyed by the ignorant and the indifferent. The speaker considered it heartening that the District Council now had a more resolute attitude to conservation in Hadleigh and that the Society had clearly played its part in this development. Nevertheless, by means of one particularly poignant slide of the demolished medieval kitchen which was an integral part of the White Lion Hotel, we were reminded of the need for constant vigilance if our successors were to have the buildings of early Hadleigh conserved to be appreciated. Questions were asked about chimneys and the origin and function of jettys on buildings. In proposing a vote of thanks Jan Byrne stated that she was sure that she had the agreement of all present that time passes too quickly when listening to an enthusiast, The meeting closed with members mingling over coffee.

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY - based upon a recent environmental pamphlet

Planet Earth is four thousand six hundred years old we are told.

If we condense this inconceivable time-span into an understandable concept, we can liken Earth to a person of Forty-six years of age.

Nothing is known of the first 7 years of this person's life, and whilst some scattered information exists about the middle years, we know that only at the age of Forty—two did the Earth begin to flower.

Dinosaurs and the great reptiles did not appear until one year ago, when the planet was Forty-five. Mammals arrived only eight months ago; in the middle of last week man-like apes evolved into ape-like men, and at the weekend the last ice age enveloped the Earth.

Modern men and women have been around for Four hours. During the last hour Man discovered agriculture. The industrial revolution began a minute ago.

During those sixty seconds of biological time, Modern Man has made a rubbish-tip of Paradise. ...Have a nice decade.

A subscription ball, the proceeds of which will be devoted to the needy and local charities, was held at the Town Hall on Wednesday, under the patronage of Mrs Bernard, Copdock; Mrs Brown, Brent Eleigh Hall; Mrs Cooke, Washbrook Grange; Mrs Deane, Hintlesham dectory; Lady Jackson, Eadleigh Hall; and Mrs Spooner, The Deanery, Hadleigh.

The broad stairs leading up to the Hall were covered with crimson carpet, and plants were arranged on either side of the staircase. The ballroom was taste fully arranged and prettily decorated with flags, plants, & c, while fauteuils were conveniently placed along two sides of the room. Great pains had been taken to exclude draughts. The floor was prepared by Messrs. Fish and Son, Ipswich, and gave every satisfaction. The Committee—room was utilised as a ladies cloak-room , and the adjoining schoolroom admirably served the purpose of a refreshment—room, assuming for the nonce quite a festive appearance. The catering of Mr. Aldous was of its usual liberal character.

Dancing to the enlivening strains of Mr. Fletcher Dorling's excellent band commenced shortly after half-past eight, and was kept up with much zest until the small hours of the morning. Over 120 tickets were taken.

Programme: