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Back from Suffolk

12 January 2008 by Tim 4 Comments

Had a week in Suffolk after delivering Lily to university – my father is very ill, and slipping.

I love Suffolk, and I was very well taken care of by my brother and sister-in-law while I was there, lots of very good food and drink.

Found this in a book of my father’s. It has always amused me and the mindset of the ‘local’ is very much what Suffolk people are like – they are very helpful and kind, but they won’t intrude or impose. 🙂 Also, I remember someone I worked with a long time ago telling me that life is all about asking the right questions.

The driver of this traction engine, Thomas Newell, was killed at Fornham Bridge on 16 June 1890. He was travelling with his steerer (Mr A. Hunt, who escaped injury) when they came to the bridge. Being a stranger to the district the driver asked a local if he had ever seen an engine cross the bridge. The local replied that he had and with that they drove the traction engine onto the bridge and it gave way. At the inquest their informant said they never asked him if the bridge was safe (which he knew it was not) but if he had seen an engine cross it (which he had!).

Filed Under: General

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Alison says

    12 January 2008 at 15:11

    Sorry to hear about your father, Tim. Sending love and will be thinking of you and your family.

    Reply
  2. Gill says

    12 January 2008 at 15:34

    LOL, that story definitely appeals to the pedant in me.
    Also sorry to hear about your dad.

    Reply
  3. Michelle says

    12 January 2008 at 16:58

    Also sorry to hear about your dad. Hoping all goes as smoothly as it possibly can.

    Reply
  4. Merry says

    13 January 2008 at 11:04

    Sorry to hear about your dad, thoughts for you all.
    Love the photo though, reminds me somewhat of Max’s “bit of tinsel”!

    Reply

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