Thursday 23 April 2021

The office of Witch Finder General was held by Matthew Hopkins who was Born in South Wenham, Suffolk in 1620. He held the office between 1644 and 1647, a period of just 3 years, during which he hanged over 300 women accused of witchcraft.

Witches were not the old and haggered ladies in pointed hats that are portrayed today but beautiful young ladies who attracted men of all ages and thus the wives reported these young women as witches to stop the roaming eyes, (and possibly other things!), of their husbands.

The itinerary for today runs a follows:-

• We will meet Claire, our Blue Badge Guide, en-route to Christchurch Mansion our morning coffee stop (included). this is a Grade I listed building with a lot of history.
• Being well refreshed we then head off on a walking tour round Ipswich before re-joining our coach and continuing the hunt to find evidence of witchcraft and ghosts before arriving at our lunch stop
• Lunch is at a 16th century pub overlooking the River Stour. (MENU: Sausage & mash or Filo parcel with Brie, spinach & red onion. Dessert: Apple crumble plus tea or filter coffee is included).
• After lunch we tour through some pretty Suffolk villages looking for connections with witches & ghosts before our final stop in Harwich.
• Our stop in Harwich is NOT for ghosts & witches but because it is 400 years since the Mayflower sailed to America with the Pilgrim Fathers. Although it sailed from Plymouth, in 1620, it was built in Harwich and its Captain, Christopher Jones, was born in Harwich in 1570. Harwich is therefore putting on a celebration to commemorate the sailing to America by the Pilgrim Fathers.
• After Harwich we will return home saying goodbye to Claire on the way.

“With our trips, we DO NOT take you all round the Houses!”

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