Museum of East Anglian Life (MEAL)
Although the Museum is in Stowmarket, Ena Carter, with her husband Jack from Stowupland, were very involved in its planning. Jack believed that knowledge of traditional farming methods should be conserved. He thought that agricultural implements, both large and small should be shown in use so that Suffolk’s rich historical heritage could be brought to life, especially for the young.
It is thanks to the Longe sisters of Abbotts Hall that the museum found a home in Stowmarket. Ena did a lot of research into the history of Abbotts Hall and when the museum opened in 1967 it was known as The Abbott’s Hall Museum of Rural Life of East Anglia.
The Suffolk Photographic Survey was housed for a time at MEAL.
Mr R. G Pratt was instrumental in starting a collection of photographs of Suffolk. In 1971 the collection was moved to the Museum of Rural Life in Suffolk and Suffolk Local History Council took on its care and Ena took over as organiser, working with a SLHC sub-committee of David Dymond, Peter Northeast and Norman Smedley. Ena and Peter arranged and catalogued it from 1971. In 1975 it was agreed that the SPS collection should be merged with the general collection at the Suffolk Records Office. Ena’s role was redefined as the SLHC photo survey officer, but soon after the Record Office took over full control and Ena focused on the Local Recorder Scheme.
Mr R. G Pratt was instrumental in starting a collection of photographs of Suffolk. In 1971 the collection was moved to the Museum of Rural Life in Suffolk and SLHC took on its care and Ena took over as organiser working with a SLHC sub-committee of David Dymond, Peter Northeast and Norman Smedley. Ena and Peter arranged and catalogued from 1971. In 1975 it was agreed that the SPS collection should be merged with the general collection at the Suffolk Records Office. Ena’s role was redefined as the SLHC photo survey officer, but soon after the Record Office took over full control and Ena focused on the Local Recorder Scheme.
