Letters to the Editors
A Book about Swaffham Prior
Dear Editors
My name is Sylvie Short, but some of you may remember me as Sylvia Coleman. I moved to Swaffham Prior with my mum, dad and brother, John, in 1954 and we lived in 'Bramfield' on the low road opposite what was then Tom Cooper'sshop. Five years ago I moved back to the area and I now spend a lot of my timewriting - with moderate commercial success. Browsing in Toppings of Ely one dayI looked for a book on Swaffham Prior, but to no avail as, on further enquiry, I found that there isn't one. I would like to put this right and plan to write a book about the village; it will be a combination of personal and other first hand memories, a celebration of the lives of notable characters and, of course, historical facts.
I have already carried out some research using the internet, and have read withinterest all the past copies of the Crier that I can access, but to make the book come alive I will need your help. Have you got anything you would like to be considered for inclusion? Do you have any old documents or photos that I could have a look at? I shall have to spend a fair bit of time in the village during the summer and it will bea pleasure to meet with old friends and acquaintances - or even make new friends- in my quest for information, facts and suitable snippets to include in the book.
Is there anyone else who remembers the furore surrounding the demolition of the fountain? My dad went to the subsequent meeting and I think I'm right in saying that it not only made the local papers but was actually the subject of a Giles' cartoon. I shall check that. I also have clear memories of Lowe's bakery; the old Blacksmith's where we used to stand and watch the Smith at work on our way home from school, and Sheldrick's shop, as well as Tom Cooper's. I can remember quite clearly when there was a Post Office and a cobbler, called Mr. Pook, both in Fairview Grove.
As I am asking for help, I feel it only fair to donate a percentage of any money I make from the book to the upkeep of anything in the village currently in need of care and attention.
If you have any information you would like to share I would love to hear fromyou. Please get in touch.