Bury St Edmunds
A Town Captured by a Facebook Group
Nestled in the heart of Suffolk, England, Bury St Edmunds boasts a rich history, picturesque countryside, and a vibrant community spirit. This charming town has recently gained international recognition, thanks to a Facebook group called “We Love Bury St Edmunds!
Launched in December 2015 with just 36 members, the group has since grown to a remarkable 23,500 strong. It serves as a platform to showcase the town’s top attractions and share the magic of this thriving community with the world.
Social Media & Beyond
Beyond its initial Facebook group, “We Love Bury St Edmunds!” has expanded its online presence to include a public Facebook Page, a Twitter account (@wlbse), an Instagram profile (@welovebse), and a YouTube channel. These platforms offer an array of multimedia content for fans of Bury St Edmunds to enjoy and share, further fueling the town’s growing popularity.
As Bury St Edmunds continues to charm visitors with its historical sites, stunning landscapes, and warm community spirit, the “We Love Bury St Edmunds!” Facebook group remains a vital force in promoting the town’s attractions and fostering a sense of camaraderie among its residents. So, whether you are a long-time inhabitant or a curious traveler, consider joining the group to discover why so many people can’t get enough of this enchanting English town.
In 2018, “We Love Bury St Edmunds!” collaborated with Eurovision Winner Anne-Marie David to promote St Edmunds Day. The following year 2 performances of the oratorio “Edmund The Legend of a King” were performed in France.
Composed by Anne-Marie and renowned French composer Jean Musy. The production has received critical acclaim in France and left audiences spellbound by its captivating music and storytelling.
This cultural collaboration exemplifies the group’s commitment to celebrating and promoting the town’s heritage. It is planned to perform this at St Marys Church in November 2024.
Since “We Love Bury St Edmunds!” began in December 2015, we have been making the newspapers on a regular basis
We didn’t plan it this way, but I can tell you we are not knocking it and have always been looked after very well by the media. Thank you!
DECEMBER 2015
I created a Facebook Group called “We Love Bury St Edmunds!” after 30 days there were 9,000 members.. so we celebrated in January…
JANUARY 2016
We photo-bombed the King
https://www.eadt.co.uk/news/21616793.love-bury-st-edmunds/
https://www.burymercury.co.uk/news/they-love-bury-st-edmunds-2243026
APRIL 2016
We launched the “We Love Bury St Edmunds” badge
(12,200 members) and T Shirts and Polo Shirts…
https://www.eadt.co.uk/news/21604794.loving-bury-st-edmunds-now-badge-honour-facebook-group/
https://www.burymercury.co.uk/news/21670917.loving-bury-st-edmunds-now-badge-honour-facebook-group/
And in the same breath, we announced that there would be a website coming….
JULY 2016
Photos drawn from the Facebook Group were proudly displayed in the
West Suffolk Hospital Memory Walk
https://www.burymercury.co.uk/news/west-suffolk-hospital-s-25-000-dementia-walk-set-for-2275986
https://www.burymercury.co.uk/news/a-personal-view-of-a-project-two-years-in-the-2274964
https://www.stowmarketmercury.co.uk/news/a-personal-view-of-a-project-two-years-in-the-2274964
AUGUST 2016
We played with some ideas for a Human Colour Wheel…
Halfords Autocare on Eastgate street, became the first company to support discounts to people who wear the WLBSE badge.
This was followed by The Fox Inn on Eastgate Street, Mings in Abbeygate Street, The Abbeygate Cinema, Jessops and Adnams in Bury St Edmunds.
SEPTEMBER 2016
We announced we would be having a party at Christmas to raise money for My WiSH Charity for West Suffolk Hospital and North Court Care Home
OCTOBER 2016
10 months after Facebook Group launched, we launched the website….
7th October Gave a talk to the Saxon Gate Community Association – Annual General Meeting 2016 at The Southgate Community Centre
NOVEMBER 2016
We launched the 2017 WLBSE Calendar
DECEMBER 2016
A Night 2 Remember – that you can’t afford to forget!
We have The Brotherhood of Man coming to perform at Ashlar House in Bury St Edmunds.
21st December 2016 – Bury Mercury – Review of A Night 2 Remember
22nd December 2016 – East Anglian Daily Times – Review of A Night 2 Remember
23rd December 2016 – Bury Free Press – Review of A Night 2 Remember
JANUARY 2017
We Photo Bombed the King Again…
And a great article and front page of the East Anglian Daily Times.. Thanks to Andy Abbott
https://www.eadt.co.uk/news/21562881.we-love-bury-st-edmunds-facebook-group-celebrates-year-success/
https://www.burymercury.co.uk/news/we-love-bury-st-edmunds-facebook-group-celebrates-a-year-2307246
MARCH 2nd 2017
Press release at The Apex on 26th February for Limited Edition Decades Prints
https://www.eadt.co.uk/news/21552820.new-artworks-depict-bury-st-edmunds-early-20th-century/
https://www.burymercury.co.uk/news/21668339.new-artworks-depict-bury-st-edmunds-early-20th-century/
MAY 7th 2017
The St Edmund of Suffolk Flag is seen around the World
MAY 17th 2017
JULY 2017
We supported the Cancer Research Relay For Life
https://www.itv.com/news/anglia/2017-07-08/hundreds-turn-out-for-24-hour-charity-relay-race
AUGUST 2nd 2017
The Abseil for My WiSH Charity
The Photo Bomb
We did it again to launch St Edmunds Day celebrations for November
https://www.suffolknews.co.uk/bury-st-edmunds/news/an-invitation-to-photobomb-the-king-1-8083789/
https://www.suffolknews.co.uk/bury-st-edmunds/news/st-edmund-to-be-celebrated-1-8103640/
The Photo Bomb Event
https://www.eadt.co.uk/news/21533546.countdown-begins-three-day-celebration-town-martyred-saint/
OCTOBER 2017
Bury Free Press Business Awards Finalist
https://www.suffolknews.co.uk/newmarket/news/video-best-in-the-business-1-8196780/
A Night 2 Remember 2 was launched
https://www.eadt.co.uk/news/21526316.charities-benefit-glittering-night-great-whelnetham/
https://www.burymercury.co.uk/news/21665421.charities-benefit-glittering-night-great-whelnetham/
NOVEMBER 1st 2017
Your Town Needs You Campaign and over 126 Businesses raise the Flag of St Edmund for the first time
NOVEMBER 14th 2017
https://www.eadt.co.uk/news/21522454.flags-flying-st-edmunds-day-celebrations/
https://www.burymercury.co.uk/news/21664996.flags-flying-st-edmunds-day-celebrations/
https://www.suffolknews.co.uk/bury-st-edmunds/news/happy-st-edmund-s-day-1-8253396/
NOVEMBER 21st 2017
https://www.eadt.co.uk/news/21522089.eurovision-royalty-visit-town-help-celebrate-st-edmunds-day/
NOVEMBER 29th 2017
Paul Da Vinci in the EADT
might not know the face but we bet you know the hit song…
https://www.eadt.co.uk/things-to-do/21518034.might-not-know-face-bet-know-hit-song/
https://www.burymercury.co.uk/news/21664383.might-not-know-face-bet-know-hit-song/
https://www.stowmarketmercury.co.uk/news/21501520.might-not-know-face-bet-know-hit-song/
https://www.sudburymercury.co.uk/news/21575895.might-not-know-face-bet-know-hit-song/
DECEMBER 2017
Charity benefits from A Night 2 Remember 2
https://www.eadt.co.uk/news/21516931.charity-benefits-night-2-remember-2-held-great-whelnetham/
JANUARY 2018
Donation made to Gatehouse Dementia Hub
FEBRUARY 2018
Donations to My WiSH Charity
Exclusive Print Donated to the Memory Walk at the West Suffolk Hospital
MARCH 2018
We conveyed our deep concerns over the loss of Borough status
https://www.eadt.co.uk/news/21504298.fears-raised-bury-st-edmunds-lose-borough-status-mayoral-title/
https://www.eadt.co.uk/news/21505818.plea-find-choir-orchestra-musical-life-st-edmund/
https://www.burymercury.co.uk/news/21663131.plea-find-choir-orchestra-musical-life-st-edmund/
APRIL 2018
And amidst Eurovision we still campaigned to the retain our Borough status
https://www.buryfreepress.co.uk/news/james-ready-to-take-on-lisbon-for-eurovision-1-8469725
https://www.eadt.co.uk/news/21485599.james-eye-australia-win-years-eurovision-song-contest/
MAY 2018
Eurovision and We Love Bury St Edmunds seemed to merge and overlap for me
https://www.westsuffolk.gov.uk/news/180508-se02.cfm
https://www.rtp.pt/play/p4226/e345125/telejornal
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3QvQ-l0G5I&list=PLMedIwg0kZw-6UQ7vWaoTs0OUrgqaU7CP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VsMj1uk-qM&list=PLMedIwg0kZw-6UQ7vWaoTs0OUrgqaU7CP
AUGUST 2018
And then of course, it was August, and 3 months to go until St Edmunds Day
Gathering by the statue of St Edmund by the Abbey West Front in Bury St Edmunds for the “We Love Bury St Edmunds”
https://www.eadt.co.uk/news/21469460.photo-bomb-session-take-place-weekend-promote-st-edmunds-day/
https://www.eadt.co.uk/news/21466290.photo-session-launch-st-edmunds-day-campaign/
https://www.burymercury.co.uk/news/photo-bomb-session-bury-st-edmunds-st-edmund-s-day-2483692
SEPTEMBER 2018
A reunion thanks to We Love Bury St Edmunds!
https://www.buryfreepress.co.uk/news/texan-kaye-flies-in-for-reunion-55-years-on-9043726/
NOVEMBER 2018
Town getting ready to mark St Edmund’s Day
https://www.eadt.co.uk/news/21461352.town-getting-ready-mark-st-edmunds-day/
https://www.burymercury.co.uk/news/21659220.town-getting-ready-mark-st-edmunds-day/
MAY 2019
https://www.eadt.co.uk/things-to-do/21431379.such-crazy-days-much-fun—sitting-front-row-eurovision/
JANUARY 2020
Save The Businesses of the Town with Free Parking for 2 Days a week
https://www.buryfreepress.co.uk/news/parking-changes-would-be-a-kick-in-the-teeth-9096782/
FEBRUARY 2020
Car Park Plans
https://www.burymercury.co.uk/news/car-park-plans-for-st-benedicts-school-site-2646658
https://www.stowmarketmercury.co.uk/news/car-park-plans-for-st-benedicts-school-site-2646658
https://www.sudburymercury.co.uk/news/car-park-plans-for-st-benedicts-school-site-2646658
Anger At Council
https://www.burymercury.co.uk/news/anger-at-council-decision-to-hike-parking-charges-in-bury-2651324
https://www.burymercury.co.uk/news/anger-at-plans-to-increase-parking-charges-in-bury-st-2642364
JUNE 2020
https://www.burymercury.co.uk/news/public-toilets-debate-bury-st-edmunds-2678444
https://www.stowmarketmercury.co.uk/news/public-toilets-debate-bury-st-edmunds-2678444
OCTOBER 2020
Website & App
Metal Trees
https://www.eadt.co.uk/news/21334373.disgusting—controversial-metal-trees-left-weeds/
MARCH 2022
Ukraine Vigil
https://www.burymercury.co.uk/news/suffolk-town-to-hold-vigil-for-wartorn-ukraine-8748064
https://www.eadt.co.uk/news/ukraine-vigil-held-in-bury-st-edmunds-8753014
https://www.burymercury.co.uk/news/ukraine-vigil-held-in-bury-st-edmunds-8753014
Creator James Sheen
Facebook Admins Greg Aspland James Sheen Lesley Norburn Michelle Richards
Facebook Moderators
Virginnia Haslam
We Love Bury St Edmunds Logo Design Krysten Newby (Krys10)
Web Design James Sheen & Jeremy Parsons
Titles & Cataloguing Anna A Hradsky James Sheen
Written Content
Many Group Members of The Facebook Group
Proof Readers Ally Eatly Anna A Hradsky James Sheen Michelle Richards Rosie Cook
Photographers
Angela Lord Anna Frankum Andrew Nott Greg Aspland Jaclyn Clark Jeremy Chadwick John Hughes John Goffin John Goldsmith Josephine Sweetman Maureen Nicholls Nick Betson Paul Budgie Burgess Rupert Nye Sandy Jackson plus many more
Video Content Anna Frankum James Sheen Terry Chittock
Charities My WiSH Charity for West Suffolk Hospital, Gatehouse Hub, Cancer Research – Relay For Life
Gold Badge Holders 2016
1 Krysten Newby
2 Anna Frankum
3 Raymond Gordon
4 John Goldsmith
5 Sue Fendt
6 John Williams
7 Bernie Sexton
8 Paul “Budgie” Burgess
9 Patrick Chung
10 Brian Gobey
11 Carl Whitehouse
12 Ernie Broom
Gold Badge Holders 2017
1 Terry Chittock
2 Mike McAndrews (Walked 56/57 miles for Relay For Life)
3 Matt Marvell (to be presented)
4 Ken Goodwin (voted favourite postie)
5 Greg Aspland (outstanding achievement as Admin for WLBSE)
6 Jenny Smith (organises the biggest fundraising event in Bury St Edmunds the Girls Night Out for St Nicholas Hospice awarded LIVE on Facebook)
7 Ian Smith, Manager of The Coop on Mildenhall Road, the ONLY large supermarket to support the St Edmunds Day weekend
8 Richard Crouch – outstanding support for St Edmunds Day 2017
9 Nemonee Stone – outstanding contribution to Bury St Edmunds supporting many good causes
10 – Terry Clements, Mayor of St Edmundsbury – Outstanding contribution to We Love Bury St Edmunds! promoting and upholding the high moral values to our Facebook Group.
Antique Bronze Holders – The Super Elite
1 Anna Frankum (Grytics Award for An Outstanding Contribution)
2 Patrick Church (Lifetime Achievement Award)
3 Sheila Wormleighton (Lifetime Achievement)
4 Sue Griffin (Selfless Outstanding contribution to Nations overseas)