THE FRIENDS' OPEN AFTERNOON 2025 

Focus on Ronald Blythe

Author of the best-selling Akenfield

17 May 2025

2.30 – 5.00pm

Holy Trinity church, Blythburgh

Blythburgh resident Malcolm Doney – who met “Ronnie” and wrote his obituary for the Church Times– will talk about this remarkable man and his links with Blythburgh, Benjamin Britten, Peter Pears, John Nash and other Suffolk luminaries. This will be followed by tea & cake and a showing of the film Akenfield, Sir Peter Hall’s elegiac portrait of Suffolk life, based on Blythe’s masterwork.

The event is free to Friends of Holy Trinity – donations welcome from everyone else!

Some of our earlier events: 

THE FRIENDS OPEN AFTERNOON 2023 

A Life of Discovery: Remembering Janet Becker

Speaker Dr Alan Mackley

A simple memorial on the north aisle of Blythburgh Church commemorates Margaret Janet Becker, daughter of renowned Suffolk artist Harry Becker. Janet was a skilled conservationist and respected Suffolk historian. She wrote a number of books including a historical study of Blythburgh compiled from the wardens’ accounts. In 1922, aged 19, she undertook a motor tour of Suffolk churches with her friend Miss Gooch and hand-wrote a charmingly illustrated diary of the 450 mile “Joy Ride”. Alan Mackley will celebrate her life and introduce us to this remarkable document.

THE FRIENDS OPEN AFTERNOON May 2022

‘The Dig’ – Blythburgh style

At the Friends of Holy Trinity Blythburgh’s Open Afternoon on Saturday 14 May from 2–4pm, Simon Roberts of Union Farm demonstrated how local finds reveal our history. This was followed by afternoon tea and a tour of the church led by trustee Meryl Doney.

FRIENDS-OPEN-DAY-2022-POSTER.pdf