Bury St Edmunds nostalgia - Abbey Gardens implements watering plan during hosepipe ban of 2012

In this week's nostalgia, we take a look back at some of the stories from 10, 25, and 50 years ago.

2012: Watering plan to keep gardens in full bloom

April 2012 saw council bosses draw up plans to ensure a Bury Edmunds beauty spot remained in full bloom despite a hosepipe ban that had been implemented earlier in the month.

St Edmundsbury Borough Council would use three large containers called bowsers to supply the Abbey Gardens with water.

A more targeted approach would be adopted with only the central flower beds being watered.

Cllr Robert Everitt said that the central area would be watered earlier and later in the day to reduce evaporation. He said: “We will be using rainfall to take care of the grass and the rest of the gardens."

1995: Granny says goodbye

In 1995 grandmother Mrs Madeline Almond retired after five years looking after young members of Fornham St Martin mother and toddler group.

The 40 toddlers and their mums presented her with a cake, bouquet of flowers and a silver brooch.

Mrs Almond began helping out at the weekly village hall meetings when her daughter Mrs Janie Lee founded the group.

Another grandmother, Mrs Jean Cook, of Fornham All Saints stepped in to help to fill Mrs Almond’s boots.

1997: Sisters reunite after 20 years apart

In 1997 a sergeant at USAF Lakenheath was reunited with her sister who she hadn’t seen in 20 years.

Sgt. Eldonna Fernadez, 48th Contracting Squadron, had spent much of her life trying to find her sister Carol over the internet, libraries and investigative services without any success.

After every avenue leading to dead ends, Eldonna tried the American Red Cross family search programme and provided some information. She later received a phone call from her long lost sister and exchanged letters and phone calls for subsequent weeks.

They were then eventually able to meet up at Carol’s New Jersey home.

1972: West Suffolk leads in new approach to music teaching

In 1972 West Suffolk was using a revolutionary approach to string instrument teaching by undertaking the Suzuki method and was one of the first places in Britain to try it out.

Mr Keith Shaw, West Suffolk county music adviser, was impressed to inaugurate the classes using the Suzuki system in Bury St Edmunds.

Every Saturday several mothers and their children met at the Music and Drama Centre in Northgate Street for weekly violin lessons under instruction of Mrs Kathleen Livermore.

Mothers were taught as well to help their children practise at home and if successful the experiment would have been extended.