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I'm Philippa Taylor and I'm BBC Radio Suffolk's West Suffolk producer. It's my job to search out stories that will be of interest to the county - so if there's an issue that's got you talking in Wickhambrook - then contact me. You can email me - philippa.taylor@bbc.co.uk - or ring me on 01359 271865.
Did you know that each day we broadcast a What's On diary for charity and community events too? Just give us ten days notice in writing - with contact details and useful information like wheelchair accessibility - and your event will be advertised free of charge. Phone our receptionists on 01473 250000 if you'd like to know more or check out our Suffolk website.
website last updated 11 January, 2010
Justin Brooke
Justin Brooke had quite a significant impact on Wickhambrook. Back in the 1920's the village suffered from low employment, however Devonian Justin Brooke was the man who reversed the villagers' economic misfortunes following his arrival in Wickhambrook with his wife Edith. The acquisition of Clopton Hall and several hundred acres of farmland opened up many opportunities for locals to become involved in fruit farming and his acres soon became west Suffolk's leading producers of soft fruit and apples. The dairy herd, dairy and milk delivery service, travelling as far as Cambridge, provided even more jobs for which local families were grateful in the recession-hit thirties.
Wickhambrook News and Events
Family Fun Evening
Friday 25th May 2012
5-8pm Wickhambrook Primary School. Everybody welcome - Come and enjoy an evening of fun and entertainment - attractions include Archery, Zorbing, Bouncy Castle, Face Painting, BBQ and Cream Teas, Craft Stalls, Grand Raffle and loads more (see poster)
Hidden Gardens of Bury St Edmunds
17th June 2012
Gardens in the Historic Town Centre of Bury St Edmunds. 11am to 5pm. Admission by programme available in advance on Tourist Information Centre and on the day from 10.30am on The Angel Hill. In support of St Nicholas Hospice. View the poster
Jubilee Events at The Greyhound
Great events at The Greyhound on every day of the Jubilee holiday from Thursday 31st May to Monday 4th June - take a look at our flyer or the visit The Greyhound website for more information
Wickhambrook Flower Show and Events
14 July 2011 - starts 2pm
Come along to the annual Wickhambrook Flower Show at the MSC Hall with wonderful teas and cakes at the W.I. Hall, a display by the History Society and Car Boot Sale on the Recreation field (car boot starts 1pm).
Street Lights
The County Council owned Street Lights in Wickhambrook are due to switch to part-night lighting during the week commencing 7th May. A considerable amount of information is on the Suffolk County Council website at www.suffolk.gov.uk/streetlighting.
Road Closures
B1063 Bunters End, Wickhambrook - Outside Boyden House for approximately 110 metres
Reason for closure
BT Underground Works
Date of closure - 06/06/2012 to 08/06/2012 (09:30 to 15:30 hours)
Alternative routes - B1063 Shop Hill, A143 Bury Road, B1061 Thurlow Road, B1061 Bradley Road, B1061 Brinkley Road, B1061 Dullingham Road, A1304 High Street, B1063 Cheveley Road, B1063 Ashley Road (see plan)
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History of Justin Brooke
Justin Brooke started farming here in May 1928. His intention was to grow fruit, planting on north-facing slopes in a cold district in order to avoid the damaging effects of late frost.
To Clopton Hall's 150 acres he soon added Clopton Green and Wickham House; saddened by local unemployment and by the uneconomic marketing of the milk produced in the neighbourhood, he expanded rapidly into quicker-maturing soft fruit and started a very successful milk retailing business.
A fire at Wickhambrook House, together with full employment following the declaration of war in 1939, led him to abandon this once it was no longer of such necessity and in 1945 he was again able to develop his original ambition of fruit growing.
Home Farm, Hill Farm and Rolfe's had become part of the enterprise before the war and Appleacre and Seabrooke soon afterwards.
Orchards had been planted and were further extended, the pig herd (originally planned to complement the milk business) was enlarged and arable crops were grown on all the land unsuited to fruit.
After Mr Brooke's death in 1963 Mrs Brooke continued the expansion, adding Hundon Great Lodge, Hammonds, Hundon Hall, Dodds and Hole Farms.
The purchase of Hinton Hall and lease of the adjoining Grunty Fen Farm in Cambridgeshire brought the acreage to 3792.
Horticulture was intensified, growing more fruit on less land and the pig herd was concentrated at Appleacre and further enlarged there.
Mrs Brooke, retired in 1977 and Elizabeth Hollingsworth Justin's daughter took over the running of the business.
The company is now called Clopton Hall Farms Ltd and is run by Elizabeth's son Chris Hollingsworth.