24 January 2007
After a long battle with cancer, Elizabeth died at the beginning of December. Her funeral took place at St Edmund's RC Church in Bury St Edmunds on 7 December. The following message has been received from her brother Tom:
"I would like to express my thanks to all of the villagers of Little Saxham who were so supportive of my sister the late Elizabeth Whittaker during her recent illness. I know that she loved living in the village and even during the last two years of her life which found her quite seriously ill she wished to live nowhere else.
I know that I cannot name everyone from the village who were kind to her during her illness but particular mention must be made of Duncan & Margaret, Suzanne & Duncan, Bob & Sally, and Maryan.
It was Elizabeth’s wish that her ashes be interred beside her late husband Brian and Father Peter has graciously acceded to her wishes in this regard. The interment will take place in the near future and this will be an opportunity for the village to celebrate the life of someone who had truly found her ideal home.
Alan Brown of Ashton Graham Solicitors, and Pauline Haxforth of Great Barton as the executors to the estate of the late Elizabeth Whittaker will be making the arrangements for the service details in conjunction with Father Peter, who will no doubt advise the villagers of the arrangements.
Finally I would say that it has been a great comfort to all of Elizabeth’s relatives in Scotland to know that though she was far from us we were secure in the knowledge that she was happy among friends during her life in Little Saxham."
Kind regards, Tom Minogue, Elizabeth’s brother.
Elizabeth, with her 'best friend' Toby.
20 December 2005
Today would have been Derek Turner's 70th birthday. But he sadly died from a stroke on 9 December. The church was packed, with family and many friends attending. Father Peter led the service and there were two fine tributes from his daughters Julia and Alison. Derek was a fine artist, and his pen and ink sketch of St Nicholas's Church will grace many a Christmas card in the future.
Posted 18 December 2005
The long-awaited gate to the churchyard was installed recently. It is made of oak by Greenoak Gates of Oxted in Surrey. The gate was gifted in memory of Brian Whittaker, who lived in Little Saxham and died in April 2002. We hope to have a dedication by Fr Peter in the Spring.
21 October 2005
Hugo and Sophie Smith were our hosts for the Trafalgar Day bonfire and supper, held at the Old Rectory. Highlight of the evening was the British and French fleets represented by beflagged mini chocolate eclairs and a toast was drunk with a tot of rum. Here are some photos of local residents who attended this splendid evening.|
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| Bob Doughty | Brenda Gale | David Orchard | |
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| Brenda Orchard | Maryan Huntridge | Wally Wyatt | |
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| Graham Randall | Duncan Drown | Mike Burt | |
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| Joan Gage | Sophie Smith | John Huntridge |
17 September 2005
Some 26 people (and five dogs) came on the annual walk around Little Saxham. This year, the topic was 'Woods', so the route took us through Mordebois Wood, Old Warren Wood, Windsor Wood and Dairy Wood. A break was taken at the Huntridges where a splendid tea awaited us.
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| The Walkers | On the Heath | Saxham Heath |
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| In Windsor Wood | Tea time with host Maryan | Tea time |
2 July 2005
On 2 July 2005 John and Maryan Huntridge hosted the Saxham Tea Party. Blessed by fine weather, it was attended by locals and visitors alike, who enjoyed scrumptious cream teas, a bookstall and garden produce.
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| Val Wyatt | Lynne Randall | John Huntridge |
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| Kate Burt and Sue Morley | Children at the fountain | Derek Turner and family |
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| Cream scone delight | Cake stall | Bookstall |
Posted 27 March 2005
Today was Chairman of the Parish Council Mike Burt's 50th birthday. His 'bash' took place at the Barrow Rectory, courtesy of Father Peter. Amongst the presents was a rather unusual pair of slippers (pictured right). Of course, Peter's donkey Holly insisted on invading the barbecue...
Posted 27 March 2005
A good crowd attended the Holy Communion service at 08.30 this morning. The church looked very smart after yesterday's spring clean. Father Peter livened the proceedings by holding up a chick during his sermon.
Posted 26 March 2005
A good crowd of parishioners turned up today to spring-clean the church in preparation for Easter Sunday. Pews were cleaned and polished, kneelers were scrubbed, the aisle was swept and even the statue in the vestry had a wash. Floral decorations were placed strategically. The church looks particularly lovely now.
Father Peter turned up too and soon got down to work...
Posted 17 December 2004
Father Peter and his new donkey hit the dizzy heights of the front page of this week's Bury Free Press. Peter is looking for someone to act as 'pooper-scooper', just in case...
Posted 9 October 2004
About 20 parishioners and friends spent a fruitful morning, clearing the churchyard of leaves and weeds, and generally tidying up. Afterwards, we were all treated to drinks at the nearly Old Rectory, courtesy of Sophie and Hugo Smith.
Posted 26 September 2004
29 people (and two dogs) turned up yesterday for an afternoon walk around Great and Little Saxham. Starting (as usual) at the church, we headed south towards Lodge Farm, where we turned left and followed the old 'Saxham Drive' into Ickworth Park. Keeping to the north edge of the Park, we headed into Dairy Wood and picked up the Hargrave Way, one of the ancient trackways that are no longer used. This emerges on the Little Saxham to Hargrave road, just before Potash Cottages, where we turned left towards Great Saxham. A fantastic tea was awaiting us at Dick and Sue Soper's home at Cobb's Hall.
After tea we headed towards China Pond in the grounds of Great Saxham Hall, visiting the folly and the icehouse before another look at the Umbrello. The group then headed north, with rare views of Great Saxham village, before emerging in The Park behind the Old Rectory in Little Saxham.
Quite an arduous stroll for some, but everyone seemed to enjoy it!
Posted 24 June 2002
Over 100 people attended the Little Saxham Fayre this evening, held at Warren Lodge by kind permission of John and Penny Taylor. The organisers have already voted the event a great success.
In addition to some games for children, everyone was given a quiz sheet on arrival, with 10 questions covering events in each 'important' year: 1952, 1977 and 2002. The answers have not been checked yet, but we will announce the winners here soon.
There was also a tombola, produce stall and a picture quiz, where the dates of old pictures of Little Saxham had to be guessed. The winner was John Robinson, from Fornham, with local man Derek Turner runner-up.
Click here for pictures taken during the evening!
Posted 10 April 2002
Hard on the heels of the passing of Albert Gage, the village is reeling from the news of the death of Brian Whittaker, much respected and loved by all who knew him. He died peacefully at night after a short but devastating illness on Saturday 6 April. His funeral takes place at Little Saxham Church on Friday 12th, at 12 noon.
Posted 10 March 2002
Albert Gage, village stalwart and gardener extraordinary, sadly passed away on the evening of Monday 4 March, following a short illness. He will be sorely missed. Albert will be cremated on 18 March.
Posted 3 March 2002
Father Peter, as he prefers to be called, was pictured this morning following the service at Barrow Church. Clutching a cup of tea he said he was delighted to have come to our 'neck of the woods'. He had looked at other postings in Scotland, Chester and Ufford (Suffolk) before deciding to come here.
The attendance at Barrow today was 50% higher than usual!
Posted 5 January 2002
The Reverend Peter Macleod-Miller arrives in the UK on 15 January, from Melbourne in Australia, to take up his post in charge of the Benefice which includes Little Saxham. He will live in Barrow Rectory. He is 39 years of age and unmarried. Peter has a twin brother who lives in London.
He will be licensed by Bishop Clive (of Dunwich) at 3.00 pm on Saturday 26 January, at Barrow Church. Coincidentally, that is Australia Day!