Cleo at the Great North Door
The moon, a thin crescent, lit from within.
To the Eastward, The Plough, bright in deep space
And now here, the White Hart, whose yellow lights
Resemble a cruise liner out at sea.
Our White Hart, his slim neck collared with gold,
Badge of some noble line I do not know,
Glistening in the night, his status supreme
In his niche above the Prior's Courtroom,
So long ago, those days, when he was fixed.
The Hart watches us unblinking, head up,
Gold coronet, rich necklace, staring out.
Only our tall angel above our heads
Has some of his power, empty eye sockets
Looking over us all, into our eyes.
Her fierce face deflecting questions. Just look,
She says, look at my face and the White Hart,
Symbols of then and now, calling us all,
Requiring our attention and our love.
17th December 2006
By Richard Maslen (click to go back).
(White Hart with gold coronet: Badge of King Richard the Second, Blythburgh Suffolk)
Some Favourite Websites For June 2026:
Wissett Village Hall – A well furnished and practical Village Hall for use for events up to 70 standing or 50 seated
Wissett Village Hall prides itself on high quality affordability and is used regularly for a wide variety of events, including but not limited to carpet bowls, yoga, meetings, dinners and parties, jumbles sales, quizzes, horticultural events and art classes.
Kate Mawdsley Printmaker – Buy unique and varied Lino Cut and Etching prints of the Blyth Valley countryside
It’s a wonderfully refreshing change to produce individual hand printed images. Each one is unique with its subtle variations in colour and texture. Kate only produces a very limited number of each print and particularly enjoys creating prints of the local Suffolk countryside.
The Southwold Railway Trust Shop – For all sorts of quirky souvenirs of the Southwold Railway
The Southwold Railway shop fully supports the Southwold Railway, it's Trust and the Steamworks attraction in Southwold. The Southwold Railway was a 3ft gauge line running 9 miles between Halesworth and Southwold. The Trust was formed in 1994
North Manor Farmhouse – Ensuite B&B accommodation in beamed Suffolk farmhouse close to the Suffolk coast and Southwold
Two B&B rooms, both with en-suite. Guest lounge with open fire. Discount for stay exceeding three nights. Sorry, dogs not accepted.
Campsites.co.uk – A host of campsites on offer around Southwold and the Coast
Campsites.co.uk list a wide variety of camping and glamping sites throughout East Suffolk, for perfectly peaceful holidays.