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Martyn Taylor

We look back at life on town PoW camp, whose prisoners helped to build estate roads

09 February 2025
We look back at life on town PoW camp, whose prisoners helped to build estate roads

We look back at life on town PoW camp, whose prisoners helped to build estate roads

09 February 2025

Historian, author and tour guide looks into life at the World War Two PoW camps in and around a town.


From ‘Egger’ and ‘Taffy’ to ‘Chippy’: We look back at some of the staff and pupils from two former town schools

04 February 2025
From ‘Egger’ and ‘Taffy’ to ‘Chippy’: We look back at some of the staff and pupils from two former town schools

From ‘Egger’ and ‘Taffy’ to ‘Chippy’: We look back at some of the staff and pupils from two former town schools

04 February 2025

Today’s nostalgic look back recalls the staff and pupils of two former schools.


From brewery domination to education, pubs and clubs – how one town lane has evolved

02 February 2025
From brewery domination to education, pubs and clubs – how one town lane has evolved

From brewery domination to education, pubs and clubs – how one town lane has evolved

02 February 2025

Historian, author and tour guide looks into the past of a lane within a market town’s historic grid.


Was barrister a champion of lost causes?

28 January 2025
Was barrister a champion of lost causes?

Was barrister a champion of lost causes?

28 January 2025

Historian, tour guide and author looks into whether barrister was a champion of lost causes, or full of self-importance.


From the king who nearly bankrupted the abbey to monarch’s Maundy visit, we take a look at town’s royal connections

26 January 2025
From the king who nearly bankrupted the abbey to monarch’s Maundy visit, we take a look at town’s royal connections

From the king who nearly bankrupted the abbey to monarch’s Maundy visit, we take a look at town’s royal connections

26 January 2025

Historian, author and tour guide looks into town’s royal connections through history.


How ‘the Sally Army’ grew from a glorified shed to purpose built centre in one Suffolk town

21 January 2025
How ‘the Sally Army’ grew from a glorified shed to purpose built centre in one Suffolk town

How ‘the Sally Army’ grew from a glorified shed to purpose built centre in one Suffolk town

21 January 2025

Historian, author and tour guide looks into the history of ‘the Sally Army’ in one Suffolk town.


Historian turns sleuth to find missing plaque

19 January 2025
Historian turns sleuth to find missing plaque

Historian turns sleuth to find missing plaque

19 January 2025

In 1907 there was a pageant celebrating the rich history and heritage – with 12 plaques installed around town. But where were they all?


Looking back at the abbot who died of broken heart

14 January 2025
Looking back at the abbot who died of broken heart

Looking back at the abbot who died of broken heart

14 January 2025

Historian and author explores the demise of once-great Abbey.


The story of a much-loved town doctor… and her packed diary

07 January 2025
The story of a much-loved town doctor… and her packed diary

The story of a much-loved town doctor… and her packed diary

07 January 2025

Historian looks back at the ‘amazing’ life of a much-loved town doctor.


How three female artists born in a Suffolk town discovered their talents

02 January 2025
How three female artists born in a Suffolk town discovered their talents

How three female artists born in a Suffolk town discovered their talents

02 January 2025

A historian, author and tour guide has trawled his archive for pictures and stories from the past. This week, he looks at female artists.

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How The Royal Agricultural Show of 1867 brought thousands of visitors but no cattle to town

31 December 2024
How The Royal Agricultural Show of 1867 brought thousands of visitors but no cattle to town

How The Royal Agricultural Show of 1867 brought thousands of visitors but no cattle to town

31 December 2024

A historian, author and tour guide has trawled his archive for his favourite stories from the past – this week, the Royal Agricultural Show of 1867.


How an education in market town offered future Archbishop a grounded start in life

30 December 2024
How an education in market town offered future Archbishop a grounded start in life

How an education in market town offered future Archbishop a grounded start in life

30 December 2024

Historian explores the life of a Suffolk-born Archbishop of Canterbury and his education in a market town.


How ‘Crimean gun’ ended up on historic site before moving to town’s militia barracks

24 December 2024
How ‘Crimean gun’ ended up on historic site before moving to town’s militia barracks

How ‘Crimean gun’ ended up on historic site before moving to town’s militia barracks

24 December 2024

Town historian explores the mystery of the Crimean gun…


Historian explores how estate was developed on west side of market town

17 December 2024
Historian explores how estate was developed on west side of market town

Historian explores how estate was developed on west side of market town

17 December 2024

In 1855, a borough council purchased more than 11 acres of land to become a cemetery, leading to the development of a new town estate.


A woolhall, hotel, gaol, 17 wells and a giant hole - historian takes a look at street’s past

10 December 2024
A woolhall, hotel, gaol, 17 wells and a giant hole - historian takes a look at street’s past

A woolhall, hotel, gaol, 17 wells and a giant hole - historian takes a look at street’s past

10 December 2024

Historian, author and tour guide Martyn Taylor has trawled his archive to find some of his favourite pictures and stories from the past.


How firm contributed to town’s industrialisation and employed hundreds

03 December 2024
How firm contributed to town’s industrialisation and employed hundreds

How firm contributed to town’s industrialisation and employed hundreds

03 December 2024

Historian, author and tour guide uncovers the history of engineering works which became a major town employer.


How town’s popular friars flourished for centuries, despite fierce abbey opposition

26 November 2024
How town’s popular friars flourished for centuries, despite fierce abbey opposition

How town’s popular friars flourished for centuries, despite fierce abbey opposition

26 November 2024

Local historian, author and tour guide has trawled his archive to look into history of friary site, which later became a hotel.


Just who was Thomas Farrow? We look at the impact one man had on several prominent town sites

19 November 2024
Just who was Thomas Farrow? We look at the impact one man had on several prominent town sites

Just who was Thomas Farrow? We look at the impact one man had on several prominent town sites

19 November 2024

Historian, author and tour guide Martyn Taylor has trawled his archive to tell the story of Thomas Farrow, who worked on several prominent buildings.


Housing development was once the site of Yeomanry brigade depot

12 November 2024
Housing development was once the site of Yeomanry brigade depot

Housing development was once the site of Yeomanry brigade depot

12 November 2024

Historian and tour guide takes a look at the former home of volunteer cavalry unit.


Historian explores a tale of two big pub players in this town

05 November 2024
Historian explores a tale of two big pub players in this town

Historian explores a tale of two big pub players in this town

05 November 2024

A town historian explores the history of these pubs and the people behind them.