Haverhill ‘proud’ to host Suffolk Day as town comes alive with song, dance and presentations
Haverhill’s Market Square was abuzz with activity this morning as the town became the focal point for this year’s Suffolk Day celebrations.
Organised by the Suffolk Community Foundation and Haverhill Town Council, the day carried the theme, ‘Create more in 24’, and this was partly evidenced through the specially commissioned art on display, courtesy of Joel Millerchip, an art teacher at Samuel Ward Academy.
Two venerated symbols of the county, Suffolk Punches, were also in the square as the order of events began with a welcome from first, the Lord Lieutenant of Suffolk, Clare Countess of Euston, followed by the mayor of Haverhill, Cllr David Smith.
He said: “Welcome to Haverhill. It’s a privilege to be standing here as mayor on such an important day for Suffolk and for Haverhill.
“This year we are proud that Haverhill has been given the honour of being the host town.
“It’s wonderful to see so many people coming out to celebrate our local community.”
Four students, two from each of Samuel Ward Academy and Castle Manor Academy, then read out a proclamation compiled by the two schools on behalf of the Lord Lieutenant of Suffolk.
They said: “Young people are at the heart of our community in Suffolk and, one day, will be at the head.
“We need to make sure that our future leaders have the opportunity to develop a wide range of skills and knowledge.
“The ability to create leaders is happening in Haverhill through the vast array of clubs and groups available such as sports teams, performing arts and dance groups, coding classes and cookery lessons.
“Nourishing creative young people, and our natural curiosity, is vital to Suffolk.
“We must learn from the rich past of Suffolk and use this to look to the future.
“From an ancient Anglo-Saxon culture, through to inspirational artists such as Gainsborough, writers like George Orwell and musicians ranging from Benjamin Britten to Ed Sheeran, our creative talent is deep.
“Let us continue to make music, dance write and paint.
“Following these excellent role models and many others, let us create extraordinary people who will change the world and the way we treat it.”
Musical entertainment was provided by pupils from Clements Primary Academy, who sang ‘A Million Acres’ and then Patrick Sneezum, a Haverhill Town Council employee by day and a singer-songwriter by night, who performed his self-penned number, ‘Moon Rising’.
Citations for the two 2024 recipients of the Suffolk Medal were then read out by Yvonne Gilchrist-Mason, High Sheriff of Suffolk and presented the Lord Lieutenant.
Recipient John Norman had received his medal at a private ceremony in February. He passed away a few weeks later.
He was awarded the honour in recognition of his four-decades of contribution to community life in Ipswich, including his dedication to preserving the history and culture of the town and his passion for education.
John had been a member of the Ipswich Society, rising to become its chairman, was a key member of the Rotary Club of Ipswich and had career at Suffolk College spanning 30 years. He, also, together with his wife Christine, fostered many children.
Receiving a bouquet of flowers, a clearly-moved Christine said: “He was very proud to receive the medal and his family treasures it. Thank you all and thank for the flowers.”
Archaeologist, Professor Martin Carver also received a Suffolk Medal for his work over decades at Sutton Hoo, near Woodbridge.
His citation said: “As a ground-breaking archaeologist, he has played an instrumental role in unveiling further secrets of Sutton Hoo, again catapulting the site onto the world stage and cementing its reputation as one of the richest archaeological finds discovered in Northern Europe and open window into the Anglo-Saxon world.
“Since then, the burial ground has enticed numerous visitors to the county, not only boosting tourism and the local economy but also placing Suffolk firmly on the map for its historical and cultural importance.”
The citation added: “Martin lives in Yorkshire with his partners, Madeleine Hummler, so whilst not a permanent local residents, his connections to Suffolk remain strong to this day.
“As well as regularly lecturing in the county, he plays a full and active role as a trustee - and former chair - of Woodbridge-based charity The Sutton Hoo Ship’s Company, which is using authentic methods to reconstruct the King’s ship which was buried at the site for 13 centuries.”
On receiving his medal, Prof Carver said: “I’m so flattered. It gives me enormous pleasure to receive this from the Suffolk Community Foundation.
“I realise I am not a native of Suffolk but I have been coming here for the last 40 years previously and we have four children who grew up here and they’ve left their house in a tree on the site, so we feel we have got some degree of Suffolkness.
“I’ve made lots of friends here and i would just like to mention; the important people have been the wonderful staff at the National Trust site at Sutton Hoo, who have created an amazing day out for thousands of families, the Sutton Hoo Society, who hosted them and in particular the master shipwright, the manager, trustees and the hundreds of volunteers that we have in the Ship’s Company.”
He continued: “I think all these people deserve this medal much more than I do and thank you very much for giving it to me.”
In an interview on stage with the MC, former BBC Radio Suffolk presenter Georgy Jamieson, Prof Carver added: “We’ve had such a wonderful time here. We’ve spent every summer here from 1983 to 92 and beyond that, so I feel I have roots here and those roots have gone deeper today.”
The event ended with closing remarks by the Reverend Max Drinkwater, Rector of St Mary’s Church, Haverhill, which was then opened up to provide refreshments for the many invited guests that attended Suffolk Day.
Further entertainment was provided by the SlackMargirdle morris dancers, while Wayne Bavin was in Market Square broadcasting his breakfast show for BBC Radio Suffolk.
