A run at Cavenham in Suffolk

St Andrews Church Cavenham

On a return trip from Cambridge I stopped off in the village of Cavenham in Suffolk. I had a 40 minute run scheduled in my diary and had worn my running clobber in preparation for this.

The name Cavenham derives from Cafa's enclosure or pasture (Ekwall). The recorded population at the time of doomsday in 1086 was 32. At its peak there were 283 inhabitants in 1851 but it is probably half that now.The village dates back to at least 3,500 BC, when the Ickneild Way passed through the parish. In 50AD the Iceni tribe are thought to have lived in the area.

I set of for my run from the car with my heart rate monitor strapped to my chest. At first this felt a bit alien and restrictive but I have soon got used to it and wouldn;t be without it.

I was soon through the line of houses in the centre of Cavenham and heading up hill towards Lackford a village a couple of miles away. I soon spotted a footpath off road and the temptation was too great and I was grateful to get of the road and on to the sandy soils around Cavenham soils. There have been a number of finds from the Mesolithic and Neolithic periods in this soft soil which suggest tribes probably hunted and gathered on the land around the village. A number of spearheads axeheads and pottery shards have been found in the area.

We are finally getting some decent weather after 2-3 weeks of heavy rain. The pathway was muddy with puddles in places but added to the fun of the run needing a few leaps in places. I never saw a soul on this run and perhaps this was part of the reason why this quiet location was chosen during the 2nd world war as a site for a dummy airbase. This was established by the RAF and included fake aircraft to confuse German pilots. In 1962 during the Cuban Missile Crisis at Cavenham Heath, three rockets – each carrying a two-megaton nuclear warhead – were poised and ready to be launched.Thankfully the crisis was averted but it all happens in sleepy Cavenham!

The elderberries are fully ripened and I passed many bushes with a plentiful supply for making wine or cordials After 20 minutes my coach reminded me I was half way through the workout and I turned for home. On the return trip I had St Andrews Church in Cavenham in my site for much of the time.

This was my second run in my 1st week of half marathon training and I was looking forward to a drink when I returned to the car.

A comfortable run and I think the best I have felt since returning from injury. No foot pain at all to day.

A Cycle ride to Tuddenham Suffolk

My cycle ride today turned into a little longer ride than I planned. I forgot to take a map and the route I planned wasn't possible as I missed a turn. Still I came up with an alternative circular ride of 20 miles my longest yet.

My route took me from Bury St Edmunds through the villages of Risby, Cavenham and out to Tuddenham. The name, Tuddenham, dates back to AD 854 and is derived from the Anglo Saxon ‘Tudda’s home’ and is about 10 miles out north west from Bury St Edmunds. The icknield way passes through the village which is on the edge of heathland

I had planned to turn towards Higham and Gazeley but instead found myself 10 miles out. Rather than directly turnaround and follow the same route back I instead followed a road back to Higham, Barrow, Gt Saxham and Lt Saxham and then back into Bury.

The verge on the route between Lt Saxham and Bury  was covered in poppies and other wild flowers.

Total time for the ride was 1hr 43 minutes for the 20 miles for a 5.10 mile pace

Tuddenham St Mary and Cavenham Heath Suffolk

1 pm 9 miles in 1 hr 15mins 36 seconds

Week to date mileage 21 miles

Month to date mileage 121

Average weekly rate 32.6 miles

Average monthly rate 142

Year to date 121

Lifetime 9714

During my lunch break from work I drove over to the village of Tuddenham St Mary in Suffolk. This is a small village about 4 miles from Mildenhall and 9 miles North West of Bury St Edmunds. The name Tuddenham dates back to AD854 and is derived from the Anglo Saxon 'Tudda's Home'.

I parked outside St Mary's Church which originally dates from the 14th century but has had a major restoration in the 19th century to replace the roof amongst other things.

On the village green there is a war memorial to the men of the RAF who flew from the local airfields. I ran through the village before picking up a footpath sign to take me out to Cavenham Heath. If you decide to visit and I really recommend it you can park at the nature reserve.
This reserve has international importance and is designated an area of special scientific interest.

I set of to follow the Heathland Path which is 1 of the 3 walking paths that can be followed. What I noticed immediately was the complete silence apart from the wind and a few birds. The landscape is one of very open heathland which is often covered with heather.

You can tell you are truly in the Brecklands by the light sandy soil which is difficult to run on as there is a lot of give. Near the car park the woodland trail takes you through a very different landscape of birch trees where there were many sheep grazing.

When I reached the River Lark I did a detour and did a lap of the Wetland trail which turned out to be so aptly named. If you decide to walk this you need wellington boots as in parts it is a true water meadow and you will be wading though water. Great fun but a bit chilly on a cold day to have wet feet.

Lackford, Suffolk

10am 4 miles in 33 minutes.

Year to date mileage 1181

Month to date 92 miles

Average miles per month 109

Average weekly rate 25.0

Weather:Cool, sunshine and showers

Lackford is about 6 miles from Bury St Edmunds out on the Mildenhall Road. I parked up on a side road in a fairly modern housing development. I set of on my run towards the church. The church of St Laurence is really quite impressive the tower dates from 1350 so there is nearly 700 years of history here.

I followed a footpath sign which took me along the back of the modern housing development before this ended back on the main Mildenhall Road. So I crossed over and headed along the road towards Cavenham. I quickly spotted another footpath which was very muddy across farm land owned by Lackford Estates. I was tempted to climb up a small mound to see what was on the over side . It turned out to be a man made lake or reservoirs presumably for water storage for the farm. I returned on the same route back to the car.

I suppose Lackford is now most well known for its Lakes which were established on old gravel workings next to the River Lark. It has been popularised by support from Bill Oddie a well known ornithologist and former member of the Goodies. It is a great place to see all kinds of birds but particularly the kingfisher.

Suffolk's Pride

But come, my county, let me build thy claim Upon a base of more enduring fame, that thou hast earn'd thyself by art and toil. First Honours in the culture of the soil That prime of occupations and the best , Ordain'd divinely and divinely blest, That peaceful life which Patriarchs employ'd, Which Kings have lov'd and more than Kings enjoy'd. Here SUFFOLK, is thy theme for glory - here For honorable pride the lawful sphere. Then rest your fame, friends on your faithful ploughs, For here the staff of life abundant grows, And blesses him that reaps and him that sows.

Robert Hughman, extract from Suffolk.