Stowupland Local History Group

Stowupland Stories (6) - Thorney Green and Stowupland Councils
2026-06-03 19:30 - 21:00 (Europe/London) | United Reformed Church, Church Road, Stowupland, IP14 4BQ, United Kingdom

"The Armoury Through Time" by Kathleen and John Hallaways
2026-07-01 19:30 - 21:00
The Mendlesham Armoury, housed over the north porch of the church for over 500 years, is unique – the only one of its kind left in England – and so of vital importance to our national heritage. It is amazing that it has survived for so long when others have vanished, and in this talk we will be studying this incredible survival: taking the story from 1695, when the Militia and Armoury cease to be mentioned in the Church Wardens Accounts, documenting the vicissitudes that the Armoury – both armour and documentary evidence – has gone through in the centuries since the doors closed for the last time, and bringing the story right up to date with information about the Armoury Facelift Project’s exciting plans for better conservation, interpretation & display of this unique heritage so it can be passed onto future generations in the best condition.

Stowupland Stories - A History of Saxham street
2026-08-05 19:30 - 21:00

"On The Nuclear Edge: The F-111F at RAF Lakenheath" by Don Mobley
2026-09-02 19:30 - 21:00
A look at the critical role of the 48th Flight Wing’s F-111F force at RAF Lakenheath in helping secure victory in the Cold War between 1987 and 1990.

"Some Scary Stories of Stowmarket" by Daren Dordoy and Hannah Salmon
2026-10-07 19:30 - 21:00

"Girl Power: a brief look at some of the businesswomen of Victorian Stowmarket" by Gill Marchant
2026-11-04 19:30 - 21:00

"Bread and Ale to The Muster at Mellis: The Story of England's Last Tudor Armoury" by Kathleen Hallaways
2027-02-03 19:30 - 21:00
This talk begins the story of the Mendlesham Militia by looking very briefly at the very first militia, the Saxon Fyrð, and exploring the iterations of the mediaeval militia from the Assize of Arms in 1181 until, in Mary Tudor’s reign the responsibility for the arms, armour and provisioning is vested not in the individual but in the township. Then she turns her attention to the Mendlesham Militia and explores it in detail. She covers the militia, arms, armour and training at the musters from the first mention of ‘our men’ in the Church Wardens Accounts in 1552 until, in 1695, there is the last mention of the Mendlesham Militia.
