Angling: Mears’ perfect river weekend

Diss Angling Club’s Andrew Mears once again had a perfect weekend and this time it was all on the river.
The first match was at Brockdish on Saturday and just four anglers turned out, with only three of staying until the end.

Mears enjoyed a good day’s fishing, taking roach perch and chub, with the best fish a 2lb 15oz chub, taken when Mears was on the phone and had dropped his rig into the edge.

Mears finished with a total of 6lb 12.

Second was Colin Lea with 6lb 10.5oz and third was Bill Davies with 1lb 8.5oz.

Mears’ second win came at Hoxne.

He kept up the pace of the day before but did not have the bonus of catching a big fish.

Perch and roach made up Mears’ 4lb 0.5 oz bag.

Second was Simon Thompson, who was well off the pace and found it tough going to find bites but finally ended the match with 2lb 11oz. Third went to George Wilby with just 1lb 10.5oz.

Eye Ponds was the venue for last Tuesday’s match. Dougy Burrows made the best of the day’s action.

A mixed bag of silver fish gave Burrows a catch of 13lb 13oz. Second and third was separated by just two ounces. Barry Day had 9lb 4oz and took five points when he finished second. Third went to Angie Burrows with her 9lb 2oz net of fish.

Full story from the Diss Express

Places to visit: Mid-Suffolk Light Railway Museum

This small (but perfectly formed) gem of a museum is approximately half an hour’s drive from Brockdish.  South on the A140 from the Scole roundabout, it is located close to the Mendlesham mast and the Chilli Farm, on the edge of the lovely village of Wetheringsett; a brown tourist sign directs you from the A140.

The museum recreates typical scenes of the former Brockford Station and displays the history of the Mid-Suffolk line that ran from Haughley to Laxfield via Mendlesham, Brockford, Aspall and Thorndon, Kenton, Worlingworth, Horham, Stradbroke, Wilby and Laxfield.  

There is plenty to see and do, a good cafe, a pretty picnic site, a pond, a trackside walk and clean loos.  Lovingly restored rolling stock and station buildings are evidence of hours of hard work by volunteers and works in progress are of further interest.  A museum building houses historical information and artefacts while the shop has models and souvenirs for sale.  Admission costs are extremely reasonable.  If you have children, visiting on a steam day is a must (see programme for dates) and unlimited steam train rides are included in the entrance fee. 

The museum is open on Sundays and Bank Holidays from Easter until the last Sunday in September.  It also opens on Wednesdays during August.  It’s seasonal programme lists many special events including – in December – Santa Specials!  

All the atmosphere of an old-fashioned country railway station is guaranteed!  Highly recommended.

For more information visit the museum’s excellent website:  www.mslr.org.uk

View a short movie of a steam day at the museum:  http://blip.tv/file/1029495/

Baileys Fish & Chips

Baileys Fish and Chips will appeal to visitors and residents of Brockdish alike.  They are based in Shelfanger Road in Diss and although this means a 12 mile round trip for fish and chips they are well worth it.  Expect to queue at Baileys for good reason – they are the best fish and chips for miles around!  Freshly cooked, expertly battered fish and beautiful chips.

Well worth a visit.  Phone for opening times – 01379 644368.

Places to visit: The Waffle House

From Brockdish you may wish to spend the day exploring the historic city of Norwich which is just over half an hours drive.  I’ll write more about Norwich and other places to visit soon but I wanted to mention the Waffle House.  We went to Norwich today and as we hadn’t been to the Waffle House for ages so thought we would pay them a visit.  They are still brilliant!

The Waffle House were ahead of their time offering free range and other carefully sourced ingredients and they are still passionate about what they serve you.  They are child friendly with lots of high chairs and a brilliant children’s menu which can be coloured in with the supplied coloured pencils!

Well worth a visit when you go to Norwich – click here to visit their website for more information (website is flash only).

Royston’s Traditional Bakery, Long Stratton

We were out on the bikes for a few hours and stopped at Royston’s Traditional Bakery in Long Statton for a bite to eat as it was lunchtime.  I was disappointed with the bacon and cheese pastries as they were very dry.  

The coffee was great and best of all was the customer service, when I mentioned that the pastries had been dry they knocked them off the bill.  Definitely somewhere to visit again as a result of their customer service.  

Probably go much earlier to make sure the bacon and cheese pastries are fresh!