Timberland tales

Never was a campervan model so aptly named as 38 members of the Timberland Owners’

Club were finally able to escape the confines of the Covid restrictions and head east into Suffolk for a spring rally.

Our destination for the week was Church Farm Holiday Park, a beautiful luxury site just 50 metres from the beach and bordering the RSPB nature reserve of North Warren, and within walking distance of the charming and historically rich town of Aldeburgh.

Located between the River Alde and the magnificent Suffolk coastline, Aldeburgh was top of the list for members to while away their time with visits to the likes of the Brudenell Hotel, where its stunning sea-facing terrace offered the perfect antidote after the brisk sea walk with a welcoming coffee or more formal dining in its Seafood and Grill Restaurant.

Many artisan shops vied for the attention of the members, as well as home-cooked bakeries and take-outs to satisfy all tastes.

Aldeburgh is well known for its fresh fish ‘shacks’, where the morning catches were available for those with barbecues in mind while admiring the fishing fleet parked up on the beach.

With a wheelchair-friendly pavement following the coast to the north, members took full advantage of this delightful two-mile route into the small – but very welcoming – hamlet of Thorpeness.

Bought in 1910 by the very wealthy Scottish barrister, Glencairn Stuart Ogilvie, he set about transforming Thorpeness into a private holiday village of mock Tudor houses to be an adult playground for his family and friends.

The Dolphin Inn in Thorpeness played host to the dine-out evening, where members were treated to excellent food by the manager and his staff in the lovely atmosphere of the Garden Room – with the rule of six strictly observed.

With plenty to tempt members farther afield, such as Snape Maltings, RSPB Minsmere, Framlingham Castle and Orford Ness, all members agreed that the rally was a very welcome venture back to a semblance of normality, and organisers (myself and my wife, Nona) were heartily thanked by all before departing for home or onward destinations.

Mike Simpson, Press Officer timberlandownersclub.co.uk