Life in a Village

The following article appeared in the Cambridge New published on Friday, April 30, 1965.  A scan of the original article appears at the end of this post but to aid viewing some pictures and text are published separately.  

Some extra detail has been added to the pictures which hopefully enhances your read.  Certainly it's interesting to contrast the description of the village from nearly early 60 years ago with current day.  

Dullingham is one of the clean-cut and attractive villages which surround Newmarket.  Motorists from Cambridge have found that a tour of these villages makes a peaceful Sunday afternoon trip.

Some of the characters of the village are Miss F Hurst, the sub-postmistress, Mr Kitchening, station master, and 94 year old Mr J.Misson.

Derek Breen, who is not yet two years old, is a hard taskmaster to his dog Tiny.  Young Patrick Drake is one of many friends of the road sweeper, Mr W.Piper.

As Dullingham is primarily a farming village - there is also one stud - it is unlikely that there will be any extensive development.  It is a village in which the residents take considerable pride and to mark the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, two chestnut trees were planted on the village green  - and to commemorate the Festival of Britain wooden seats were placed at several convenient points.

The Guild Hall looks much the same although it had two entrances on Station Road in 1965. In the centre distance is Ainsley House, and on the right in front of Cable Farm is a Ford Zephyr Mk III hiding a Mk I Mini (such trivia is supplied free of charge)

Miss Freda Hurst was the sub-postmistress when the post office was situated in Malting Cottage, Church Lane where she was also housekeeper to Mr George Benstead.  Both had worked at Dullingham House prior to the death in 1939 of Mrs Robinson, where Freda was her assistant and George her chauffeur.   

Young Derrick Breen & Tiny

Mr John Misson - the article says he's 94, yet he appears aged 93 is an EADT newspaper article ten years later.  Time stands still in Dullingham.

Young Patrick talking to William (?) Piper.  Young Patrick can still be seen cycling through the village nowadays.

Mr G.Kitching was appointed stationmaster for both Dullingham and Six Mile Bottom in 1961.  Three months after this article was published he appeared in the Newmarket Journal lamenting the imminent closure of both stations.

Is this setting at the bend by Cross Green?  The names of the horses is also unknown. 

Below is the original article in its original layout.