The East Anglian Film Archive, the first and largest Regional Film Archive in England, was established in 1976. Since 1984, EAFA has been owned and operated by the University of East Anglia, Norwich (UEA), to support research and work to preserve our moving image heritage. More than 250 hours are freely available online as examples of the wide range of film which attracts interest the world over.
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Family holiday at Thorpeness
The Catchpole family from Ipswich were creatures of habit and would head to the Thorpeness resort every summer to a cottage by the sea. As the youngest, Dick was keen to take charge!
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Overview
For families with young children, the elegant resort of Thorpeness on the Suffolk coast was paradise. With it's own shallow mere and boats galore, children could take part in regattas and races without the fear of deep water and currents. No wonder the Catchpoles with cousins and friends returned year after year for 2 weeks in August for the Annual Thorpeness Regatta. For a very young Dick Catchpole, it was a chance to make friends with the fishermen and help pull in the boats!
Dick has treasured memories of his childhood holidays at Thorpeness where they hired the same green and white striped wooden cottage on the beach. He would often choose to sleep on the verandah to listen to the sea on the stones. The 'primitive' life with no running water and tin baths added to the fun and adventure for the youngsters.
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