Hi Sarah. I lived in Woodbridge for a brief, but memorable 10 months when I was 8 years old. I will never forget it. We arrived at Halloween 1966 and left at the end of August the following year. My Dad was in the Fire Service so was frequently moving between different brigades for promotion. It was the first place I'd lived where I actually became aware of the seasons unfolding, with their different colours and scents. I can vividly remember the Spring and Summer of 1967. I learned what snowdrops, celandines and hawthorns were in the hedgerows, saw a tadpole turn into a frog and picked strawberries on a local farm. We were lucky enough to have a great teacher at St Mary's Primary called Miss Jarvis, who introduced us to the new subject of nature study and read to us from The Borrowers, Paddington and The Secret Garden. The school had a brand new pool where we learnt to swim. (I can recall the smell of cresote wood treatment and chlorine now) I also learnt how to play rounders and keep my balance on a two wheeled bicycle, which for me was quite something to acheive. (I was taught by two classmates, the twins Paul and David Cook) Woodbridge was a mixture of olde worlde streets, shops, yachts and small boats on the tidal River Deben, and American Phantom jets roaring overhead from the nearby "twin bases" of Woodbridge and Bentwaters. There was an American air force family living in the same square as our house on the northern edge of town near Farthingaye Hall. At home, it was usual to have a transistor radio on, where we could clearly receive Radio Caroline and other pirate stations. They provided the musical soundtrack to my time there. For weekend trips, my Dad would drive us out to Southwold, Walberswick, Wickham Market, Orford , Shingle Street, Aldeburgh, Snape and Bawdsey. So these are a few of the vivid memories from the childhood time there. At the end of summer, we moved briefly to Plymouth, then to Saltash just inside Cornwall. I miss Woodbridge and never wished to leave there because I was happy. I've returned twice since, in 1986 and in the 1990s, but the reality of my life there was very much of that earlier era. Best wishes to you Sarah, and thank you for prompting me to write this.

I've never been to Suffolk, but have been told it's beautiful. I've worked all over the world, but had to come home. It's like it ownes me. I wouldn't want to move away again. The County of County Durham ❤ ❤ from Northeast England ❤️

Random American. Found your video in my feed. I like languages and other regions around the world. I saw the video about people telling you that your accent is offensive. Keep being you, loving your lineage, and whatever else you'd like to share. This is your outlet don't let the ignorance of others bother you. God Bless. Now I gotta go binge watch Red Drawf and Absolutely Fabulous.

I grew up in Northants before leaving England but Suffolk will always be my favourite place on Earth. I want my ashes scattered there.

I was born in Colchester but have always felt like a Suffolk lad. My fathers family lived around Leiston for many years (100's) before moving to the Ipswich area. My grandmother on my mum's side was from an Ipswich family. I finished up living in Wix (Essex) I tended to have more to do with Ipswich than Colchester and felt at home in Ipswich. 22 years ago I made the mistake of moving to Northamptonshire......I miss Suffolk and North Essex. Nothing wrong with your accent either. Feel for me, if I'm up north they call me a cockney and when I'm in London they call me a carrot cruncher.

I missed Suffolk so much I moved back :).

@EssEvergreen

Ай бұрын

And I'm so glad you did, it wouldn't be the same without you :)

...The wind across a marsh, the reeds rattling and hissing ... open sky...

@EssEvergreen

Ай бұрын

I can hear and see that in my minds eye now! It's a very special place isn't it, huge skies, reeds swaying, and nothing but birdsong for company.

Great video again Sarah,

Hi Sarah I am a Suffolk boi now exiled to essex but I am pleased to say that people pick up on me and are always asking are you Suffolk or Norfolk. One thing that sadens me is when I watch anglia news that the people they speak to none of them have the Suffolk accent we love to hear . Keep a throsing gal.

@EssEvergreen

Ай бұрын

Well that's always good to hear, that you've taken the ol' accent with you over the border! :) Spreading the Suffolk in these modern times is always a wonderful thing, in my mind anyway. I completely agree about what you said concerning Anglia News, hearing some real Suffolk or Norfolk is few and far between now. Whenever I do hear some, I always raise my cup of tea to whoever it is. Sending best wishes from over the border.

Hi Sarah, yes your point about the DNA of Suffolk past people rings true. Above all your voice and thoughts is what keeps me listening. Gary, Gooseberry Hill.

@EssEvergreen

Ай бұрын

Hi Gary, I truly think something resonates in all of us that feels that connection. Whether it's passed down via family, and old ancestors. Or there's just a strong pull towards this lovely county :)

I am born and bred in Essex and all of my family speak with the strong rural East Anglian accent still heard and spoken in Essex. I can tell the difference between Suffolk, Essex and Norfolk. The accents of Cambs are milder and Herts accent is very mild and Kent is nearly pure London. London has such a harmful effect on the home counties, not just on accents. In Stevenage, Crawley, Aylesbury, Farborough, Eastleigh, Maidstone you only hear London accents, but in East Anglia, Lincs, in mid and north Essex, Witham, Colchester, Earls Colne, Saffron Walden, Maldon, Dengie and Tendring the rural accent is quite strong. I guess that fewer Londoners came east.

@adrianmoore4160

20 күн бұрын

I grew up in North Essex. The plastic Clacton Cockneys have done real harm to the area. It's a shame. I moved to Northamptonshire over twenty years ago and notice the accent when I go back.

@jennywren8937

10 күн бұрын

Maldon was long known as Londoner's playground. I remember visiting Canvey in the 50s, now full of Londoners. Can't blame them though.

That was lovely, thank you Sarah 😊

@EssEvergreen

Ай бұрын

Thank you so much, I'm so glad you enjoyed it :)

I was born in Suffolk and moved to Scotland in my twenties, but would love to go back to Suffolk

Hi Sarah, I was at Bentwaters for 4 years, followed by 5 at Lakenheath, married an Ipswich girl and ran a pub in West Sufflok, the Metcalfe Arms in Hawstead for 4 years. I lived in Ipswich, BSE, Woolpit, Hawstead, Horringer, Wickham Market and a couple of others. I think I got stuck into Suffolk and certainly miss it. I love hearing you speak as its so evocative of my time there. Now I'm back in the US, Tennessee. Not sure I'll get back.

Your love for Suffolk comes across strongly. Keep passing that love onto others.

@EssEvergreen

Ай бұрын

Thank you Michael, I'll keep doing my best. I think in these modern times it's essential to maintain what's being lost.

Hi Sarah. Do I feel homesick - nah - but Oi keep comin back to yer vidyerz. Solid Suffolk with a touch of Norfolk on my mothers side as far back as records go. And solid-ish Suffolk with a touch of North Essex on my dads. I say solid-ish on account of a sojourn into darkest London on the part of the West Suffolk branch 😲

@EssEvergreen

Ай бұрын

Pleased to hear you don't feel the whole homesick thing, especially as some people feel so bad with it. I'm liking the mix of the Suffolk genes with little dashes from our neighbouring lands! We're all part of the same piece of land that juts out into the North Sea :)

Thanks again Sarah, for sharing aa great video. The days are growing colder here in Tasmania, and your chats (and the fire screen) are like a welcome warming hug. Bless you

I had to move for safety if you ever visit abbey gardens could you please video it if possible. It reminds me of my nan who raised me. I know its a lot to aso but if you dont ask you dont get as my dear nan said. Take care! So glad i found you!

Aw, thank you. I was born in Suffolk but grew up just over the border in Cambridgeshire but most of my family are from Suffolk for many hundreds of years. I’m now exiled in Somerset but so desperate to come home one day. Suffolk runs in my veins. I will return ❤

@EssEvergreen

Ай бұрын

You are so right, it does run through our veins! I'm sure you'll make it back to Suffolk one day, and this land will be happy to have you back on home soil :) You picked a nice spot to settle in though, Somerset is lovely.

That was a lovely message. I miss my dear Dad, and hearing you say some of the words and phrases the way he said them is very comforting for me.

@EssEvergreen

Ай бұрын

Awww, thank you for such a lovely comment! Things like that make my heart happy and my eyes a little teary, I'm so glad it's of help to you. Wishing you all the best.

Not sure I'd say i feel homesick for it. My nan, sisters, neice and nephew are still there. I have a feeling I'll have to move back. Just not sure i want to. I live in beautiful Devon now.

@EssEvergreen A lots of people had been talking about leaving Ipswich altogether. People like to say about how they feel sometimes. But don't forget we may well not be being told all of the details.

Well neiw, this is serious: that olus falls ter me, every Mayday, ter goo back ter Melford to take part in certn customary festivities near there, dewrun which OI hev ter make various proclamations. Anxious to sewnd proper, an not like some stuck-up young tewny, Oi am usin yor mellifluous voicings as a refresher for my own world-worn tones. So Oi say, thank you very much moi dear, an orl the best for the summer. Jack

@EssEvergreen

Ай бұрын

Greetings Jack! Well that all sounds very intriguing, and interesting! I do love Melford, though I've not been there in years. There's a lovely olde world atmosphere to that place, I always feel it. I am wishing you well for your endeavours, and may your "May" festivities be merry and bright me dear!