Honorary Freeman of Woodbridge awards have been presented to the following people. For their full citations, please visit the Woodbridge Town Council website.
Dr Daly Briscoe (deceased) for services to the town as GP and in local government.
Mr Don Spall for services to the town through the Company of Four.
Mr Peter Bacon for services to the Community Council.
Mr Mike Weaver for services to the Tide Mill, Seckford Foundation and for promoting the town.
Mr Ron Hepworth for his services to the Methodist Church, and other organisations.
Mr Fred Reynolds for the work for the Community Hall, Rochford Trust, Kyson Community Association.
Mrs Dorothy Kellogg for services to the Red Cross and the Woodbridge Red Cross Centre.
Mrs Betty Richardson for her long service as a District Nurse and Midwife.
Mr Geoffrey Jacobs for many plays, pantomimes and musicals.
Mr Frank Knights (since deceased) for his long-term association with the River Deben.
Mr David Caddick for being a School Governor, entertainment in Elmhurst Park, and more.
Mrs Dorothy Hull for her work in Local Government, Seckford Foundation, and more.
Mr Don Wesby for contribution through the Old Scouts, Woodbridge Rotary, and more.
Bernard Barton, 1784–1849
Known colloquially as "the Quaker poet"
- Born Carlisle on the 31st of January 1784
- A clerk at Alexander's bank from 1809, in the building that is now (2008) Barclays Bank in Church St.
- Metrical Effusions - a book of verse published in 1812.
- Acquainted with Robert Southey
- Household Verses published in 1845
- Sir Robert Peel (of " Peelers" fame) recommended Barton for an annual pension of £100 a year
- Barton developed a friendship with Charles Lamb, English essayist and critic
- Lamb dissuaded Barton from resigning his job; " Keep to your bank and the bank will keep you"
- Barton's daughter Lucy married Edward FitzGerald.
- Barton died at Woodbridge on 19th February 1849 - buried in the Quaker burial ground in Turn Lane
Robert Beale
Robert Beale was a powerful Woodbridge citizen, a Puritan lawyer and diplomat.
- In 1570 he became secretary to his brother-in-law, Sir Francis Walsingham.
- Between 1580 and 1587 he was Secretary of State in the Jesuit trials.
- Negotiated with Mary, Queen of Scots.
- Carried the death warrant to Mary at Fortheringay Castle.
- Presided at her execution.
Brian Capron, 1947-
Film and TV actor
- Most notable appearances as Mr Hopwood in Grange Hill.
- Also seen in Coronation Street, Where the Heart Is, Eastenders, Strictly Come Dancing.
- His villanous role in Coronation Street won him several gongs at the 2003 British Soap Awards - Best Actor, Best Exit, and Villain Of The Year!
Thomas Churchyard, 1798-1865
As a painter of water colours and oils, he became one of the so-called "Woodbridge Wits."
- The only child of Melton butcher, Ann and Jonathan Churchyard
- Schooled at Dedham Grammar School (where John Constable was an “old boy”)
- 1816 Thomas became an articled solicitor with Crabbe and Cross at Halesworth.
- Married Harriet Hailes in 1825 and set up home in Well Street - later known as Fish Street and now Seckford Street. They eventually had nine children.
- In 1830 began exhibiting works at the Society of British Artists in Suffolk Street London
- A founder member of Ipswich Society of Professional and Amateur Artists. Another member was Edward FitzGerald.
- The family moved to The Beeches in Melton; he opened an office as a solicitor in Quay Street, Woodbridge
- He formed a friendship with the Quaker poet Bernard Barton, who lived in Cumberland Street and worked in the Bank.
- In 1843 they left The Beeches in Melton and moved into Marston House, Cumberland Street.
- Edward FitzGerald coined the phrase 'the Wits of Woodbridge' to ironically describe the meetings the friends Bernard Barton, Thomas Churchyard, Edward FitzGerald and Rev. George Crabbe (son of the famous poet) enjoyed.
- The family had to leave Marsden, back to Melton for a while. But by 1856 they returned to Woodbridge, to Hamblin House in Cumberland Street, almost opposite Marston House.
The above summary was extracted from the comprehensive biography on the Thomas Churchyard website.
Brian Eno, 1948-
Full name Brian Peter George St. John le Baptiste de la Salle Eno
- Musician, composer, producer, music theorist, and singer.
- Known as the father of ambient music.
- Art-school-educated, and inspired by minimalism.
- Mostly remembered as keyboards and synthesizer player of Roxy Music.
- After Roxy Music, delved into abstract sound landscapes - ambient music, e.g Discreet Music (1975) and Ambient 1/Music for Airports (1978).
- Has worked with Harold Budd, Cluster, John Cale, David Byrne, Robert Fripp, David Bowie, Devo, Talking Heads, U2, James, Slowdive, Paul Simon, and Coldplay.
- Other strings to his career include art installations, a column in the The Observer. He wrote a chapter to Sound Unbound: Sampling Digital Music and Culture (The MIT Press, 2008) edited by Paul D. Miller (a.k.a. DJ Spooky).
A more complete biography of Brian Eno can be found on Wikipedia.
Edward FitzGerald (often referred to as EFG) is most noted for the first and most famous English translation of The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam
- Born 31 March 1809 at Bredfield House (or White House) in Bredfield, a village near Woodbridge.
- Surname was Purcell - in 1818 his father assumed the name and arms of his wife's family, FigzGerald.
- Translated the 11th century Persian poem "The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam".
- His boat Scandal was a familiar sight on the river Deben.
- He brought literary people to Woodbridge: Carlyle, Charles Keene ("Punch" artist) and poet laureate Alfred Tennyson.
- They lodged at "The Bull" hotel in Market Hill.
- EFG lived with his family in Farlingay Hall until 1873, then in Little Grange (Pytches Road) until his death.
- Fitz died on 14 June 1883 and was buried in Boulge churchyard.
- The rose tree over his grave came from hips brought from Omar Khayyam's grave at Naishapur.
A comprehensive biography of Edward FitzGerald can be found on this website.
John Fox
John Fox was a flamboyant Woodbridge seafarer.
- In 1563, as a master gunner of the Three Half Moons on a voyage to Seville, his ship was captured by Turks and he was imprisoned at Alexandria.
- After 14 years he planned a daring escape with several prisoners, killed their captors, released 268 Christian prisoners and seized weapons and a galley.
- Four weeks later, with eight men dead from thirst, they landed in friendly territory.
- On his return to England in 1579, he received one shilling (5 pence) per day from Queen Elizabeth I for “valiant action”.
Isaac Johnson 1754-1834 or 1835 (depending on the source)
Land surveyor, map-maker and "artist of considerable eminence" (Illustrations of Literature)
- Drew all(?) the churches and chapels in Suffolk
- Lived in the house next door to the present Woodbridge Museum, Market Hill
- Large sheet engraving of "Woodbridge Church" published by Loder (of Loder's cut fame)
Nicholas Pandolfi,
Actor, writer, radio presenter. Nick's own website is here.
- Born in Woodbridge. Usually known as Nick Pandolfi, nickname Panda.
- Attended Corona Stage School.
- Best remembered on TV for his role as Matthew Cartwright Grange Hill.
- Film work includes working with Sting in Brimstone and Treacle, The Elephant Man, Gandhi, Reuni! on and Batman
- Nick has also written comedy aired on BBC network radio.
- Presenter of the year twice for his radio work with BBC Suffolk.
- Sony Radio Academy nomination for his work with independent radio.
- Currently (2008) writing a book; completed a script for TV.
James Pulham, 1793-1838
Founded the renowned landscape gardening company Pulham & Sons
- Born in Woodbridge in 1793, the third of ten children in a very poor family.
- James and his younger brother Obadiah were apprenticed to John Lockwood, the major builder of the town.
- With a talent for stone modelling, James was promoted to foreman by the age of thirty.
- When Lockwood expanded into London in 1824, he took James and Obadiah with him to supervise the modelling work. William Lockwood retired to Woodbridge, leaving the Pulhams in London, where they continued the business on their own.
- The big project for which James and Obadiah are known was a large Norman-style folly at Benington Lordship, near Stevenage in Hertfordshire.
A comprehensive history of James Pulham and his several similarly named descendents can be found on the Pulham Legacy website.
Thomas Seckford, 1515-1587
Thomas Seckford was Woodbridge’s most influential citizen and greatest benefactor, rising to power in the reign of Mary Tudor, and his good works continue to this day, through the Seckford Foundation.
- A barrister at Gray’s Inn and a Lent Reader in 1555
- Elected to Parliament in 1550, 1563 and 1572.
- On Elizabeth’s accession he became one of the Masters of the Court of Requests.
- In 1564, the Queen granted him the Manor of Woodbridge late Priory for £764-8s-4d. The oldest wing of the Abbey dates from this year and bears Seckford’s coat of arms.
- When Elizabeth complained about the smell of his boots, he retaliated with complaints about unpaid royal debts!
- In 1575 Seckford built the Shire Hall in Market Hill to house the Sessions.
- It was more recently used as a Magistrates and Juvenile court but now houses the offices of Woodbridge Town Council and the Suffolk Horse Museum.
- On 23 May 1587, Woodbridge benefitted from Seckford’s success as a merchant, when he endowed the Seckford Almshouse with property in Clerkenwell, London.
- Thomas Seckford died in 1587 and was buried in St. Mary’s Parish church but his charity still benefits Woodbridge, 400 years after his death.
Charlie Simpson, 1986-
Pop star/rock star
- Charlie was born in Woodbridge.
- He first became to public notice as a member of rock band Fightstar.
- More commonly known as the lead guitarist and singer with boy band Busted.
Douglas Wilmer, 1920-
Stage, film and television actor, remembered for his portrayal of Sherlock Holmes - but for some reason, I always remember him for the role of French Minister in The Battle of the River Plate, starring John Gregson and Anthony Quayle
- Born in London in January 1920.
- Studied at RADA, stage debut at Rugby, in 1945.
- Appeared in over 70 films, including Richard III, El Cid, Octopussy, Revenge of the Pink Panther, The Golden Voyage of Sinbad, Cromwell, The Brides of Fu Manchu, and many others.
- Most famously played Sherlock Holmes with co-star Nigel Stock as Doctor Watson, first in BBC TV production The Speckled Band, followed by twelve episode in the series. (some available on video)
- Other television includes Robin Hood, The Saint, Troubleshooters, Avengers, UFO, Space 1999.
- Was an honorary member of the Sherlock Holmes Society of London.
- Ran the "Sherlock's" wine bar in the Thoroughfare, Woodbridge (now Spice bar).
- Retired to live in Woodbridge.
Blue plaques have been affixed to houses to signify the birthplace or residence of some of these notables. Find details of the blue plaques through this link.