Rushbrooke Hall – In Colour!

Thanks to a very generous offer from Pam Thomas in response to my earlier post, I am delighted to share with you these probably unique colour images of Rushbrooke Hall in Suffolk – taken in the late 1940’s by the late Robert Parsons, when stationed in the area on military service.

Mr Parsons had a keen interest in architecture and his former home, Newark Park in Gloucestershire, is now in the hands of the National Trust.

We must be grateful for his vision in recording this wonderful house on the then very uncommon colour film.

 

There are areas of repair to brick pointing and some spalled bricks, but the property is generally in good condition.

 

 

This is the only image of the interior I have seen.

 

 

Presumably these curtains were black-out curtains just fitted to these rooms.

How unspeakably tragic this house was to be demolished so soon after.

 

Great Whelnetham – Ancient Snake

What is this doing on the Church door? Found on Geograph.

The Great Whelnetham Mills

Windmills – stand in front of one as it is working and it is alive, spreading its arms like a giant, creaking as they stretch themselves in the breeze. Historically there have been three windmills in Great Whelnetham. The excellent Suffolk Mills page has a gazetteer of the mills in Suffolk. There is more at the Mills Archive.

The first, Chapel Hill Mill was located just off the A134. Click on the image for more information. Demolished 1949.

West Mill – seems unclear when it went – source opinions vary but the remnants lingered into the 1950s.

 

Tutelina Mill, also known as Clarke’s Mill is found opposite Tutelina Road, and was recently offered for sale [pdf] with the intent of rescue and conversion, probably for non-residential use.

 

 

 

Great Whelnetham Hall

Great Whelnetham Hall is a 17th Century house on the moated site of an earlier mediaeval manor house. The property was extended in the 18th century and was home to Sir Richard Gipps, a lawyer and antiquarian with an interest in the history of Suffolk, and imaginatively, its gentry.

Sir Richard Gipps

Great Whelnetham Rectory

That will be the rector at the door.