Suffolk Village of the Year 2023

Village Archive

What was Cockfield like 20, 40, 100 years ago when the railway was still running and the airfield was in use; when lots of houses weren’t even built, or maybe some were that aren’t there now? What did the roads, pubs, greens, your house look like then? What shops, clubs, events were there?

We want this page to build into a fascinating glimpse into Cockfield’s past by hosting a photo archive of anything connected to Cockfield that’s over 20 years old.

Do you have any photos you would like to share? If so we would love to include them. We will just scan them and return them straight back to you. Any information you have to illustrate the photo would be very helpful, especially when it was taken; but submit it even if you have no other information – someone might see it and be able to fill in the missing bits.

Please ensure that any photos submitted are not subject to a restrictive copyright, and that you have secured any necessary permission for them to be published on the website.

If you have any photos to be considered for  inclusion, or you have further information on any of the pictures in this archive, please email enquiries@cockfield.org.uk

 

A Cockfield lane in the 1930's
A Cockfield lane in the 1930’s
Colchester Green, Cockfield
Colchester Green, Cockfield
Cross Green, 1926
Cross Green, 1926

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Cockfield Youth Football Team Fun Run
Cockfield Youth Football Team Fun Run, July 1991

 

School Allotment and Old School House,
School Allotment and Old School House, circa 1920

 

The above picture is believed to date from about 1920, but if anyone can identify the date more accurately, please let us know.

 

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This postcard of a tree shows St Peter’s church in the background. The tree is no longer there. The stamp on the card is an Edward VII red 1 penny, which dates the card between 1902 and 1910.

Tree with church in background***

 Below is the Six Bells pub, which closed in the mid 60’s and is now a private residence.

Six Bells Pub
Six Bells Pub

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Green Farm
Green Farm, Great Green, 1896

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Edwin Hill was Rector of Cockfield from 1889 – 1929. Edwin’s niece, Madge Branford, ran the household and played the part of the Rector’s wife in running the WI and other groups. Most of the Hills and Branfords were abroad and Cockfield Rectory provided a base for visits back home.

Edwin Hill, Rector
Edwin Hill, Rector of St Peters, 1889-1929

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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This picture shows “Cockfield servants” at the Rectory, (so described by Rev. Hill in his album) at about the end of the 19th century.

Servants of the Rector
Mary Dawkins, formerly of Chelmondiston and Bird Hall; Bertha Granger, formerly of the household of Ranjeet Singh’s son; Mrs Snell; Louisa.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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This picture was taken in 1971, and shows part of Chapel Road. Two detached houses replaced the builder’s yard shown in the centre of the photo.

Chapel Road, 1971
Chapel Road, 1971

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The picture below is on a postcard, posted in Cockfield in 1915. Do you recognise this house – is it in Cockfield? Any information gratefully received.

A House in Cockfield?
Could be a House in Cockfield, 1915

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Herbert Game, c 1914-16
Herbert Game, taken between 1914 and 1916

Herbert Game was born in Cockfield and was killed in the First World War during the Battle of the Somme in October 1916. Another member of the Game family was also killed during the war, and is one of the names on the Cockfield War Memorial. The family have traced their ancestry back through ten generations, all of whom lived in or around Cockfield, to a Robert Game, born around 1590.

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Clipt Bushes 1877
Clipt Bushes, 1877

This photo of Clipt Bushes, Smithwood Green, taken in 1877 is the oldest known photo taken in Cockfield – unless you know different!

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blacksmiths corner 1933
Blacksmith’s Corner 1933

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cockfield rectory
Cockfield Rectory

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The Abbey
The Abbey

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Sheds on Great Green, 1920's
Sheds on Great Green, 1920’s

 

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‘Airfield’ Cottages

These pictures were taken in 1943.

George Hart Frank Hart
Cottage on the left, George Hart and on the right Frank Hart

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