Stowmarket 10 - 2007

11am 10 miles in 1 hr 18 mins 10 seconds

Week to date mileage 29 miles

Month to date mileage 122

Average weekly rate 30 miles

Average monthly rate 130

Year to date 360

Lifetime 9953

Today I took part in what was announced afterwards at the award ceremony as possibly the last 10 mile road race organised by the Stowmarket Striders. This is because the club would like to organise a Half Marathon instead which is a more recognized distance perhaps. I would certainly run it though I have always been a fan of the 10 mile road races and would prefer this to the Scenic Seven. Anyway what ever the Striders decide to do I am sure it will be as always well organised as todays race.


Perhaps it was the weather and maybe the popularity of the 10 which meant there were 217 finishers this year which was well up on last year. The start from the Sports Centre is helpful having ample car parking and shower and toilet facilities and no walking to find the start.

The course takes you out through the villages of Onehouse and Harleston before running a loop taking you over the A14 at Haughley New Street, through Haughley Park and Shelland before repeating the section over Onehouse and Harleston.

My times are consistently down on last year and this race followed this pattern but I actually felt good in this race. I think this was down to a conscious effort to start more slowly and try and relax for the first 3-4 miles and then see if I would able to up the anti and push on and this seemed to work for me. I was generally passing a few other runners rather than being passed as I was in my previous races and I think this made for a positive experience.

My times were as follows

Mile 1 7.25
Mile 2 7.38
Mile 3 7.48
Mile 4 7.29
Mile 5 8.26
Mile 6 7.38
Mile 7 7.52
Mile 8 8.08
Mile 9 8.01
Mile 10 7.44

I ran 1hr 17 . 31 last year so I was down by 39 seconds! The course is generally flat though there are some hills especially up at Haughley Park which would account for my slowest mile time.

As usual I have taken a large number of photos but I am so far behind at present with this blog diary and up loading photos on to my flickr site so I hope to get these uploaded asap.

Bradfield Combust, Bradfield St Clare and Bradfield St George Suffolk

8am 8.2 miles in 1 hr 7 mins 50 seconds

Week to date mileage 19 miles

Month to date mileage 112

Average weekly rate 29.5 miles

Average monthly rate 128

Year to date 350

Lifetime 9943

On the A143 from Bury St Edmunds about 5 miles south there is the village of Bradfield Combust.

I parked of the road just before the entrance to Bradfield park and started my run along the section of the road which follows the old roman road. The Bradfield Manger pub is a familiar site next door to to All Saints church which has a famous gravestone of Arthur Young.

Arthur Young was said to be the greatest of all English writers on Agriculture. A man who traveled extensively to pioneer scientific methods of farming in Italy , France and Ireland. Born in 1774 he was the rector of Bradfields second son who was always more interested in traveling and writing than actually farming himself.


I returned past my car and into Bradfield Park. There is a public footpath through the centre. Here you can see Bradfield House once the home of Rev Young who was responsible for much of the planting of the parkland trees.

The pathway continues on to open farmland and you cross a section of the former railway line which ran between Bury St Edmunds and Sudbury. There is a wartime pill box nearby.


The footpath emerges onto the minor B Road at Bradfield St Clare opposite the church of St Clare. I turned right and ran along the road before taking a more minor road into the village of St Clare which appears to be dominated by an enormous water tower.

Here you are in the heart of some wonderful farm land and the road bends back and forth and just when you think you will never reach Bradfield St George you emerge at some nice flint and pink cottages.


The village sign depicting St George is rather at odds with the local campaign in Suffolk to restore St Edmund as the true patron saint of England but an attractive sign nonetheless.

Horringer School, Hospital and Cullum Rd , Newmarket Rd, Bury St Edmunds

5.30 pm 5.4 miles in 40 mins 33 seconds

Week to date mileage 11 miles

Month to date mileage 104

Average weekly rate 29.5 miles

Average monthly rate 128

Year to date 341

Lifetime 9934

Ran well

9 Mar 07 42.16
26 Feb 07 43.37
14 Feb 07 43.53
29 Jan07 42.46
3 Jan 07 42.13
19 Dec 06 41.50
7 Dec 06 43.45
7 Nov 06 42.33
10 Nov 06 42.02
30 Oct 06 42.0
3 Oct 06 41.15
19 Sep 06 41.39
8 Sep 06 41.01
1 Aug 06 41.45
28 July 06 42.25
17 July 06 42.46
13 June 06 42.08
11 May 06 43.21
27 Mar 06 42.41
8 Mar 06 42.13
24 Feb 06 42.33
16 Feb 06 44.0
10 Feb 06 41.50
2 Feb 06 42.38
17 Jan 06 42.50
10 Jan 06 42.52
1 Jan 06 41.45
14 Dec 05 42.47

Cullum Rd , Ramada Hotel and Newmarket Rd Bury St Edmunds

5.30 pm 5.4 miles in 41 mins 22 seconds

Week to date mileage 5.4 miles

Month to date mileage 99

Average weekly rate 29.5 miles

Average monthly rate 131

Year to date 336

Lifetime 9929

Ran well.

2007 1 Mar 41.54
2007 22 Feb 42.1
2007 21 Feb 42.10
2007 25 Jan 42.32
2007 21 Dec 41.35
2007 5 Dec 41.48
2007 3 Nov 42.37
2007 24 Oct 41.10
2007 19 Oct 41.08
2007 6 Oct 41.06
2006 29 Sep 42.10
2006 29 - Aug 40.40
2006 27 Jul 40. 47
2006 13 Jul 41.11
2006 6 Jun 41.33
2006 18 May 41.18
2006 7 Apr 40.30
2006 7 Mar 41.31
2006 3 Mar 41.34
2006 21 Feb 41.35
2006 27 Jan 41.56
2006 13 Jan 41.30
2006 2 Jan 42.42
2005 23 Dec 43.34
2005 9 Dec 42.0
2005 6 Dec 42.04
2005 29 Nov 42.17

Fornham Circular Run

8am 7.5 miles in 57 mins 54 seconds

Week to date mileage 41 miles

Month to date mileage 93

Average weekly rate 29.5 miles

Average monthly rate 131

Year to date 331

Lifetime 9924

A fairly decent run and time around Fornham villages.

12.03.07 56.40
10.03.07 59.25
01.01.07 58.26
23.12.06 57.59
16.12.06 58.48
16.11.06 59.56
26.8.06 58.01
6.08.06 57.20
26.07.06 57.29
09.07.06 58.44
24.06.06 57.24
03.06.06 59.17
13.05.06 58.20
6.05.06 57.03
25.04.06 57.02
18.05.06 56.51
11.02.06 59.25
14.01.06 1.0.05
17.12.05 59.29
29.10.05 59.52
03.10.05 1.0.19
11.09.05 1.0.14
28.08.05 57.42
19.08.05 59.36
22.07.05 58.24
10.07.05 59.48
01.07.05 59.42
23.06.05 1.4.0
18.06.05 1.2.18
29.05.05 1.0.26
23.05.05 59.38
5.4.05 1.2.41
1.4.05 1.0.26
19.3.05 59.0
12.3.05 1.0.43
5.3.05 1.2.16
26.2.05 1.2.16
6.2.05 1.1.23
28.1.05 1.1.2.
16.1.05 1.1.14
8.1.05 1.3.19
29.12.04 1.0.11
24.12.04 1.1.26
20.12.04 1.1.31
3.12.04 1.1.13
30.11.04 1.1.18
11.11.04 1.0.32
2.10.04 1.0.40
24.09.04 59.50

Bury 10

I have just scanned a number of photos from the early 80's including these from the old Bury 10. These photos were taken on the 12th of June 1983. I can be precise as I still have my running diaries from this time which showed I completed the course in 1hr 22 minutes.
If anyone knows the old course I would really like to know. I do know this race started and finished pretty much outside Lloyds Bank so was guaranteed good number of spectators. What a pity it isn't still the case!

These photos are interesting to the non runner as well as they show a number of landmarks which are no longer including Purdy's, the old Bus Station, the old Focus Cinema the Castle Pub, the Co-op, Halfords and Debenhams. I will load more on to my Flickr site.

Felsham Gedding and Bradfield Woods Suffolk

8.am 9 miles in 1 hr 15 mins 3 seconds

Week to date mileage 33 miles

Month to date mileage 86

Average weekly rate 29.5 miles

Average monthly rate 131

Year to date 323

Lifetime 9916

According to Ekwall the meaning of the name Felsham is Faela or pleasant enclosure. I drove out from Bury taking the Bradfield turning at Sicklesmere. Felsham is about 6 miles south east of Bury St Edmunds. I parked in front of the old village school which is now the Village Hall.

I was immediately approached by a visitor who was looking for a newspaper from the village stores. He had been directed here by someone in Bradfield St George. I directed him back to Sicklesmere he didn't seem to be too impressed by the opening hours but he strutted of muttering to himself.

The Six Bells at Felsham is mentioned quite frequently in the Diary of a Poor Suffolk Woodman. An early form of a Friendly Society met here at the Six Bells. Small holders, and tied farmers paid in a contribution and in return were supported by a payment in times of illness or upon death to their family.

I headed out of Felsham on the Cockfield Rd but turned off on a public right of way footpath which took me through over a stile into someones back garden at Felsham Hall!. I never enjoy these type of pathways as I always feel I am trespassing. If I lived there I wouldn't want a steady stream of visitors hopping over a stile into my garden.

I was soon heading over open farm land and soon arrived at Bradfield Woods. I followed one of the many footpaths and emerged on to the B Main road at the entrance . This road is quiet and I happily ran along the side of the road past Grange Farm to Gedding.


From the lovely St Mary's Church you can view Gedding Hall which is as everyone knows in these parts Bill Wymans home or one of them.

I returned to Felsham via Lower Green and then headed out on a pathway behind St Peter's Church.

Ickworth Park Suffolk in the 1980's

I believe these photos were from around 1981 when it was still possible to go fishing at the Canal Lake in Ickworth Park Suffolk.

This I think would be before the Hervey family lost the control of the park to the National Trust. I will load up many more when time permits on my flickr site.

Bury St Edmunds Town Centre

8.am 9.6 miles in 1 hr 19 mins 38 seconds

Week to date mileage 124 miles

Month to date mileage 77

Average weekly rate 29.5 miles

Average monthly rate 131

Year to date 314

Lifetime 9907

I dropped my car for its MOT and headed along Fornham Road and into the town centre. Past the old Fire Station with the Cupola House in the background. The observatory window for star gazers is very clear in this photo.


I decided to head for the site of the old College Street Workhouse. It is good to see that one end of the former workhouse which used to be the men's ward, a workshop for shoe-making, tailoring and carpentry, the boys' school, and the mortuary has been substantially restored.

This wasn't the only workhouse in Bury there also being sites in Mill Lane ,Whiting Street, Churchgate Street, Eastgate Street and Schoolhall Street. The College Street site served as a workhouse for around 130 years from 1750 to 1880.

I believe I am right in saying that the house in the photo below would have been the old workhouse oakum store. Oakum is a hemp like fibre with a tar substance and was used in shipping and building applications for packing the joints of timbers. It was a common occupation for workhouse occupants.

I went past the Theatre Royal which I believe is due to reopen in September this year. It is said to be one of the finest Georgian Theatres in England and its closure was for a major overhaul and a restoration to its former glories as a Georgian Playhouse. I imagine demand will be extremely high and it may be difficult to actually get a seat when it does finally reopen.


Around the corner from the Theatre Royal is the wonderful St Mary's Square which was once the home of the horse market in Bury .

It was also once home to a famous son of East Anglia Thomas Clarkson. There is a plaque on one of the houses referring to Clarkson's support of the Emancipation Bill. Clarkson and Wilberforce played a prominent part in the abolition of slavery .Clarkson was married at St Mary's Church to the daughter of a yarn maker Catherine Buck. For 10 years from 1806 Clarkson lived in St Mary's Square before moving to Playford in Suffolk.

I headed out of town and into the water meadows along Cullum Road


Before heading up to Hardwick Heath and home.

West Suffolk Athletics Track, Bury St Edmunds

5.30pm 7 miles in 55 mins 5 seconds

Week to date mileage 15 miles

Month to date mileage 67

Average weekly rate 29.5 miles

Average monthly rate 131

Year to date 304

Lifetime 9897

As usual I ran down to the athletics track for an interval session. I warmed up with 5 laps before we did a session that included 2 sets of 4 x 3 minutes with a minute recovery in between efforts.

At the end there was a time trial over 1500 metres which I did in 6.21. I was pretty down in by the intervals but felt good for the 1500 although my time was disappointing.

Fornham Circular Run

8.30am 7.5 miles in 56 mins 40 seconds

Week to date mileage 7.5 miles

Month to date mileage 60

Average weekly rate 29.5 miles

Average monthly rate 131

Year to date 297

Lifetime 9890

Fairly flew along today as if I was racing and I didn't put the breaks on. I think after recent training and races where I have felt really slow and sluggish, to suddenly feel a bit like I have a second gear was wonderful.

10.03.07 59.25
01.01.07 58.26
23.12.06 57.59
16.12.06 58.48
16.11.06 59.56
26.8.06 58.01
6.08.06 57.20
26.07.06 57.29
09.07.06 58.44
24.06.06 57.24
03.06.06 59.17
13.05.06 58.20
6.05.06 57.03
25.04.06 57.02
18.05.06 56.51
11.02.06 59.25
14.01.06 1.0.05
17.12.05 59.29
29.10.05 59.52
03.10.05 1.0.19
11.09.05 1.0.14
28.08.05 57.42
19.08.05 59.36
22.07.05 58.24
10.07.05 59.48
01.07.05 59.42
23.06.05 1.4.0
18.06.05 1.2.18
29.05.05 1.0.26
23.05.05 59.38
5.4.05 1.2.41
1.4.05 1.0.26
19.3.05 59.0
12.3.05 1.0.43
5.3.05 1.2.16
26.2.05 1.2.16
6.2.05 1.1.23
28.1.05 1.1.2.
16.1.05 1.1.14
8.1.05 1.3.19
29.12.04 1.0.11
24.12.04 1.1.26
20.12.04 1.1.31
3.12.04 1.1.13
30.11.04 1.1.18
11.11.04 1.0.32
2.10.04 1.0.40
24.09.04 59.50

Fornham Circular Run

8.30am 7.5 miles in 59 mins 25 seconds

Week to date mileage 28 miles

Month to date mileage 53

Average weekly rate 29.5 miles

Average monthly rate 131

Year to date 290

Lifetime 9883

Ran slowly.

01.01.07 58.26
23.12.06 57.59
16.12.06 58.48
16.11.06 59.56
26.8.06 58.01
6.08.06 57.20
26.07.06 57.29
09.07.06 58.44
24.06.06 57.24
03.06.06 59.17
13.05.06 58.20
6.05.06 57.03
25.04.06 57.02
18.05.06 56.51
11.02.06 59.25
14.01.06 1.0.05
17.12.05 59.29
29.10.05 59.52
03.10.05 1.0.19
11.09.05 1.0.14
28.08.05 57.42
19.08.05 59.36
22.07.05 58.24
10.07.05 59.48
01.07.05 59.42
23.06.05 1.4.0
18.06.05 1.2.18
29.05.05 1.0.26
23.05.05 59.38
5.4.05 1.2.41
1.4.05 1.0.26
19.3.05 59.0
12.3.05 1.0.43
5.3.05 1.2.16
26.2.05 1.2.16
6.2.05 1.1.23
28.1.05 1.1.2.
16.1.05 1.1.14
8.1.05 1.3.19
29.12.04 1.0.11
24.12.04 1.1.26
20.12.04 1.1.31
3.12.04 1.1.13
30.11.04 1.1.18
11.11.04 1.0.32
2.10.04 1.0.40
24.09.04 59.50

Horringer School /Hospital /Cullum rd Newmarket rd Bury St Edmunds

5.30pm 5.4 miles in 42mins 16 secs

Week to date mileage 20 miles

Month to date mileage 45

Average weekly rate 29.5 miles

Average monthly rate 128

Year to date 282

Lifetime 9875

Ran a little bit better tonight

26 Feb 07 43.37
14 Feb 07 43.53
29 Jan07 42.46
3 Jan 07 42.13
19 Dec 06 41.50
7 Dec 06 43.45
7 Nov 06 42.33
10 Nov 06 42.02
30 Oct 06 42.0
3 Oct 06 41.15
19 Sep 06 41.39
8 Sep 06 41.01
1 Aug 06 41.45
28 July 06 42.25
17 July 06 42.46
13 June 06 42.08
11 May 06 43.21
27 Mar 06 42.41
8 Mar 06 42.13
24 Feb 06 42.33
16 Feb 06 44.0
10 Feb 06 41.50
2 Feb 06 42.38
17 Jan 06 42.50
10 Jan 06 42.52
1 Jan 06 41.45
14 Dec 05 42.47

West Suffolk Athletics Track Bury St Edmunds

6.15pm 7 miles in 54 mins 12 secs

Week to date mileage 15 miles

Month to date mileage 40

Average weekly rate 29.5 miles

Average monthly rate 128

Year to date 277

Lifetime 9870

I ran down to the track for tonights session which consisted of 2 sets of 6 x 2 minutes with a minute recovery followed by a faster 800 metres at the end. I warmed up with 5 laps and warmed down with 2 laps before running home

Ickworth Suffolk

1pm 8 miles in 1 hr 7 mins

Week to date mileage 8 miles

Month to date mileage 33

Average weekly rate 29.5 miles

Average monthly rate 128

Year to date 270

Lifetime 9863

For this run I drove along the A143 to the interesting historical village of Ixworth. It must be about 7 miles North East from Bury St Edmunds. I parked in the High Street just over the bridge over the River Blackbourn.

I started my run close to the village sign which is quite impressive, I like one of the images which represents the monks who would have been living in the local abbey catching a pike once one of the most prized eating fish.

Unfortunately now you are unable to gain any entry to the Augustinian Monastery which is in private grounds and I am not sure what if anything there is to see. I ran uphill slightly through Ixworth along the High Street where there are some wonderful medieval houses.

The Pykkerell Inn continues the theme of the pike and the River Blackbourn.

There is also this house with a fine example of the skill of pargetting.


I ran out past the local fire station out of town on the Bardwell Rd before deciding to return back down into town to see if I could get closer to the remains of the abbey.
A local said it wasn't possible and despite finding a path along by the river I admitted defeat and headed out into the countryside.

I headed out as far as Heath Farm took a right turning and came back into Ixworth along Heath Rd. I kept on the main A1088 Thetford Rd and headed up hill to come back into Ixworth. As there is so much to see in Ixworth I ran up and down the High Street a few times . It is pity there isn't any easy access to run along the River Blackbourn as far as I could work out but this is a wonderful village and definitely worth a visit

Lakenheath XC 2007

I have loaded up quite a number of additional photos from the Lakenheath XC back in January. These are to be found on my Flickr site try link here or on my flickr mobile on the left hand side of the page.

Thurston , Beyton and Hessett Suffolk

8am 10.2 miles in 1 hr 24 mins 49 secs

Week to date mileage 30 miles

Month to date mileage 25

Average weekly rate 29.1 miles

Average monthly rate 127

Year to date 262

Lifetime 9855

For todays run I drove out from Bury St Edmunds to Thurston and parked near to the railway station. I presume what was an old railway station building from the 19th century has now been converted and is flat accommodation.


I immediately headed out of Thurston passing the grounds of Thurston House on the left side of the road. Thurston House will sadly always be linked with the Titanic. Tyrell William Cavendish was married to Julia Florence Siegel in 1906. When they bought Thurston House in 1912 they had made plans to renovate the house. However Mr Cavendish had political ambitions with thoughts of being an MP perhaps for Bury St Edmunds. Looking for funding he decided to visit Henry Siegel who was a multi millionaire on the ill fated Titanic.

Tyrell Cavendish had had uncomfortable premonitions about the voyage and made his will on the day of the voyage. They boarded the Titanic at Southampton and traveled as 1st class passengers. Mrs Cavendish survived along with the maid a Miss Nellie Barber who were rescued in a lifeboat.

Lady Cavendish sold the property without ever living there for a value of £5k.
Tyrell Cavendish Hall was paid for by Lady Cavendish as a memorial to her husband and the village hall is still used by local clubs.

I ran along the Thurston Road under the A14 just before entering the village of Beyton. I ran around Beyton Green and visited both of the local pubs The Bear and the White Horse. Beyton has a true village centre with a large village green with a stream running through the centre and space for sport.


I continued past the White Horse on towards Hessett. After passing Beyton Middle School and the old Post Office now a private dwelling you come to All Saints a round tower church.
I would say less than half a mile further down the road you arrive at St Ethlebert's at Hessett this time a square tower. I took my life in my hands and entered Hessett but I didn't notice any strange children.


After a run around Hessett I returned following the same route back to the outskirts of Thurston and decided to visit the Thurston Planche. A rather grand building in substantial grounds.



I carried on over the railway line along Barrell's Road before returning to Stockhold Green under another railway bridge before heading up to St Peter's Church

I retraced my steps through to the the Thurston Planche and on to the Thurston Road past Thurston House and to my car.

Sicklesmere, Gt Whelnethum and Stanningfield Suffolk

8am 9.2 miles in 1 hr 15 mins 49 secs

Week to date mileage 20 miles

Month to date mileage 15

Average weekly rate 28.4 miles

Average monthly rate 124

Year to date 252

Lifetime 9845

I drove out from Bury St Edmunds on the A134 road to Sudbury. I stopped at the Rushbrooke Arms at Sicklesmere and parked in their car park.

Behind the Rushbrooke Arms is a path leading to Hawkers Lane and a run over to Rushbrooke however that wasn't my objective to do and I headed back into the village. The Toll House is apparently so named from the 19th century. In the 1830's the stage coach was the key means of transport. There was a 4 times daily coach between London and Norwich via Sudbury which traveled along the Bury Road which is now the A134.


Literally on the other side of the road there is a sign announcing that you are in Gt Whelnetham as Sicklesmere is really a very small hamlet. By contrast Gt Whelnetham is a fairly large village with a concentration of housing and a school. There is also the ruin of a windmill to be seen from the road.


I stopped by the St Thomas a Becket Church in Gt Whelnetham.


Continuing on towards Stanningfield on the right hand side there is the Mill Lane track which leads on to Coldham Hall. Mill Lane was so named as there was a post mill sited here. This was the Stanningfield Post Mill but I could see no evidence of it now though I have read that it was in use up to the 1950's for grinding corn into animal feed.

Arriving in Stanningfield I am always struck by the very attractive multi coloured cottages in Fox Row. There used to be Fox Inn situated here and beer was brewed here.
Continuing into the village of Stanningfield the central point is known as Hoggards Green. Here there is the Red House Pub.


I will post many other photos of these villages on my flickr site in time. I returned home by the same road. I had time to run around Sicklesmere and to venture up Hawkers Lane before returning to the Rushbrooke Arms Car park and home.

Cullum Rd /Ramada Hotel/Newmarket rd Bury St Edmunds

5.30pm 5.4 miles in 41 mins 54 secs

Week to date mileage 10.8 miles

Month to date mileage 5.4

Average weekly rate 28.3 miles

Average monthly rate 123

Year to date 243

Lifetime 9836


2006 22 Feb 42.1
2006 21 Feb 42.10
2006 25 Jan 42.32
2006 21 Dec 41.35
2006 5 Dec 41.48
2006 3 Nov 42.37
2006 24 Oct 41.10
2006 19 Oct 41.08
2006 6 Oct 41.06
29 Sep 42.10
29 - Aug 40.40
27 Jul 40. 47
13 Jul 41.11
6 Jun 41.33
18 May 41.18
7 Apr 40.30
7 Mar 41.31
3 Mar 41.34
21 Feb 41.35
27 Jan 41.56
13 Jan 41.30
2 Jan 42.42
2005 23 Dec 43.34
9 Dec 42.0
6 Dec 42.04
29 Nov 42.17