Had a week in Suffolk after delivering Lily to university – my father is very ill, and slipping.
I love Suffolk, and I was very well taken care of by my brother and sister-in-law while I was there, lots of very good food and drink.
Found this in a book of my father’s. It has always amused me and the mindset of the ‘local’ is very much what Suffolk people are like – they are very helpful and kind, but they won’t intrude or impose. 🙂 Also, I remember someone I worked with me a long time ago telling me that life is all about asking the right questions.
The driver of this traction engine, Thomas Newell, was killed at Fornham Bridge on 16 June 1890. He was travelling with his steerer (Mr A. Hunt, who escaped injury) when they came to the bridge. Being a stranger to the district the driver asked a local if he had ever seen an engine cross the bridge. The local replied that he had and with that they drove the traction engine onto the bridge and it gave way. At the inquest their informant said they never asked him if the bridge was safe (which he knew it was not) but if he had seen an engine cross it (which he had!).
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