MargaretCatchpole's stories
Belvedere was the family home of the Catchpole’s for over 150 years, though it is much older than that. Originally it was a timber-framed long house with much land around it and was probably one of the oldest houses in the village. It still stands but looks very different now. It is now semi-detached.
Margaret’s parents Charles and Emma married in 1897 and according to the census the family lived in Saxham Street, Church Road and Mendelsham Road, without ever moving house..Charles Catchpole died on 23/1/1949, age 84. He was verger for Stowupland Church from 1910 to 1944, serving under 7 vicars. And for 21 years he was caretaker at the village cemetery.
It has been suggested that the house became Belvedere after Charles received an inheritance from a family member who lived in Belvedere Road, Ipswich..
Margaret attended Stowupland primary school, before going to Stowupland for her secondary education.
1919 when Margaret Catchpole completed her training as a student teacher Mr Bramhill (standing behind the class) described her as “having skill both in teaching and management. Her general ability is above average and I feel confident that nobody of managers would regret appointing her. Her personal character is above reproach and the children generally become attached to her”
Margaret kept many of her diaries, some contain interesting bits about her life and life in Stowupland, other years are very sparse. In 1939 she did record several Tongue twisters that she had heard broadcast on the ‘wireless’.
