Rich history of Bury St Edmunds Guildhall commemorated with double event

The launch of a book detailing the history of an iconic Bury St Edmunds building has offered the chance for a double celebration.

The release of ‘The Guildhall Bury St Edmunds: 850 Years of Serving The Town’ was marked at the Guildhall on Wednesday.

The book, written by first-time authors Terry O’Donoghue and Rowan Harris, details the building’s rich legacy from the Middle Ages to the present day.

Of particular note was its role during the Second World War, with the building containing the last remaining operations room used by the Royal Observer Corps (ROC).

That same night, the Royal Observer Corps Association unveiled a plaque signalling how the building was a vital base of operations for repelling the Luftwaffe.

Terry said: “It’s great to see so many people here today celebrating the book. Everyone involved has been so co-operative.

“The Guildhall is such a historic site, it has been around since the 12th century – the time of the Abbey – and we wanted to give insight into some of the fascinating things that have happened over the centuries, from the Civil War to the World Wars.

“Respect to my co-author Rowan who withstood my editing.

“I’m doing it all again next year for the 200th birthday of West Suffolk Hospital.”

Rowan took on the book after graduating from the University of Kent, where she studied history.

She said she was proud to celebrate a part of history many people may not know.

Rowan added: “It’s a little overwhelming. The Guildhall is wonderful, always the centre of town. It was great to hear reports that carry its legacy on.

“Terry’s knowledge and my academic experience got us through.”

The plaque’s unveiling coincided exactly with the 100th anniversary of the founding of the ROC, on October 29, 1925.

The unit was stood down in 1995.

Sarah Williams was involved in the Guildhall’s 2018 restoration.

Her father served with the ROC.

She said: “When I found out the operations room would be restored, I was quite excited. Dad was still alive then.

“The Guildhall itself is a really special building and its link with the ROC is fantastic. Dad was very proud of what he did.”

Donna Higgins, Bury’s mayor, attended the event alongside deputy mayor Diane Hind.

She said: “We were delighted to support both the book launch and the Century of the Royal Observer Corps.

“The plaque is a wonderful acknowledgement of the contribution done by men and women to keep the country safe.

“We are very lucky to have a uniquely preserved observations room at the Guildhall, and I would urge everyone to go and see it.”