In the April 2022 issue of the Newsletter, we will feature selections from the family photograph album of Michael Atkinson’s maternal grandmother, Ethel Hewitt featuring her own photographs between 1909 and 1922. 

Shown at the left is a sample from the hand-illustrated pages (tennis was a favourite pastime). Ethel proudly displays: ‘A photo of myself by myself October 16th 1913. This was highly commended in the January Girl’s Realm.’

At this period photography would have started to become a popular hobby, although still quite an expensive one.

The photographs have headings such as ‘Spring Flowers’ (showing views of the plantings in Ipswich Arboretum) and, most excitingly, ‘Our First Motor Picnic’ in Framlingham. Both of these sets were taken in 1913. 

Ethel’s father was John Edwards 1866-1950 who was the co-founder of the firm J&J Edwards, gentleman’s outfitters of Tavern Street, next to the Great White Horse Hotel. Below: J&J Edwards much lettered outfitter's shop (image from Ipswich Historic Lettering).

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