Saturday 18 May 2002
Report and Photographs Copyright © 2002 Jonathan Abson

Unusually, our Spring day meeting this year was held at two locations;
In the morning, the charming village of Risby.
In the afternoon, Hengrave Hall - a privilege, as it is not normally open to the public.

Risby, not far from Bury St Edmunds, is a village just next to the A14, but it seems completely cut off from the bustle and clamour of the road. We started at Risby church and Clive Paine, our leader for the day, properly invited us to walk round the outside noting the inconsistencies, and dating what we could, before going inside and seeing the wall paintings – so much better when there is someone to point out the images and explain them – and the reason for the curious joggle in the length of the nave wall was made clear.

Then on to the green from where you can see three manor houses, all of which excercised their own manorial rights and looked after (kept in order?) their own set of villagers for centuries.

After a break for lunch we went on to Hengrave Hall, a short drive away. Hengrave Hall was built by an enterprising Elizabethan grocer. It is now a centre for different religious faiths to interact and understand and profit from each other.

Then inside to see the original Elizabethan central courtyard, the great hall and the chapel with its superb window glass that somehow survived the attentions of the Puritan iconoclasts. Next, upstairs to Queen Elizabeth’s Bed Chamber. Not perhaps as big as a tennis court but big enough for an immense bed and room to govern England for three days while she apparently stayed in bed.

Standing in the grounds less than a stones throw away from the Hall, our second round tower church of the day; Hengrave Church with its elaborate memorials, one a three decker.

Finally, tea with home made cakes, rounding off a super day.