An important part of a market town’s history has been created in some impressive window displays which recall a time when elephants were surprise visitors during a visit from a circus.

Halesworth and Blyth Valley Partnership, with the help of Halesworth and District Museum, have had some more fun in the Market Place.

Following on from the aims of the Portas project to increase footfall in the town, the purpose is to draw residents and visitors alike to enjoy some historic photographs and all the Market Place has to offer.

A request from the owner of the Raj Puth Indian restaurant to have historic photographs on his windows next to those already on Boots’ windows, led the partnership to two lovely stories from a century ago about elephants in Halesworth.

Photographs were hunted down, one of which had been in the local press, but the other one hadn’t, so the search was on for the owner of the copyright.

It has all taken a long time but the wonderful pictures are so appropriate that nothing else would do!

Vic Gray, of Halesworth Museum wrote the text for the pictures.

Owner of the Raj Puth Indian Restaurant, Mr Akhtar Miah said: “The Halesworth and Blyth Valley Partnership and Portas teams have been very active on this, discussing the project with the relevant businesses here.

“We are delighted with the results and the way the group has worked with us together to improve the aspects of the Market Place and encourage people into this part of Halesworth and congratulations to them.”

Over the other side of the Market Place the Golden House Chinese takeaway presents itself in another existence as the town’s temperance café, and the town pump is also there, looking every bit like a ‘working’ town pump.

“A lot of beer was brewed in Halesworth a hundred years ago, so maybe a non-alcoholic café seemed a very good idea.

“People should go to the Market Place and spot the difference with the town pump!” said a spokesman for the Halesworth and Blyth Valley Partnership.

“We would like to thank Vic Gray for all his hard work and unending patience, Paul, Ian and Liz of EPS Transfers for doing yet another magnificent job and Colin Huggins of The Little Gallery for his photographic skills,” he said.