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[Long Melford]

1974 , Long Melford (Suffolk)

Cat no. 1235

BBC East documentary profiling the village of Long Melford.

Jean Goodman in the main street at Long Melford, reads`Melford Memories' by Ernest Ambrose. This is the book that inspired her to include Long Melford in the series. Ernest Ambrose, aged 96, is filmed outside his cottage in Church Row. There are general views of the Green and of Mr. Ambrose as he explains his memories of growing up in Long Melford. He remembers playing football on the Green and cattle passing the Green. There are shots of the Church as he recalls attending with his grandmother and joining the Church Choir. He also recalls his memories of school. Standing on the modern bridge, he tells Jean Goodman about, Melford. He recalls the ford that gave the village its name. He takes Ms. Goodman to an old house. This has a porch dated 1610. Mr. Ambrose explains that a local builder used to attach these porches for clients. He recalls the poverty of the Melford of his childhood and also the drunkenness. Beer was 2d per pint and the pubs were open from 6am to midnight. There is a shot of Melford Hall, now owned by the National Trust. Jean Goodman meets Sir Richard Hyde-Parker and his mother Lady Hyde-Parker, the former owners. Lady Hyde-Parker, who has a soft toy of Jemima Puddleduck, talks of the link with Beatrix Potter, who was related to her mother-in-law. Beatrix Potter visited Melford Hall frequently. She began writing `The Tale of Jeremy Fisher' at Melford Hall. Lady Hyde-Parker also shows a manuscript of Beatrix Potter's writing and illustrations.The film ends with a view of the wrought iron sign commemorating Long Melford's victory as the Best Kept Village in Suffolk and views of Ernest Ambrose walking through the village.

Featured Buildings

Melford Hall; The Church of Holy Trinity, Long Melford

Keywords

Beatrix Potter; School; Village Life;

Manifestations

[Long Melford]

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