Both image of Hurt’s Hall look very different to the current property, it shows that the park originally had a lake.

According to the Ipswich Journal in February 1870: The beautiful piece of water in the Hurt’s Hall Park, the property of W. Long Esq., has been a great attraction for hundreds during the last frost; skating has been carried on from early morn until as late as eleven and twelve at night, of course with the aid of lanterns during the dark evenings. Gentlemen and Ladies from Leiston, Kelsale, Farnham and Stratford have also attended amongst others a Russian gentleman whose skating was much admired; but our townsman, Mr. T. Thurlow carried off the palm, his easy and graceful evolutions being a great contrast to the rapid flights of others.

If you are tempted to try out your skates this Winter on any frozen pond or lake then take heed, the 1870 newspaper continues:

Several accidents happened…a female fractured her wrist… a young man fell and fractured his collar bone… and three or four immersions took place. Several youngsters went near the edge, where it was not frozen… and immediately the ice gave way and one fell in the water. We are pleased to learn, after a good night’s rest, they have taken no harm.

 

 

 

If you want to learn more about skating at Hurt’s Hall then visit the Saxmundham Museum Apr-September.