April 23rd 1884

The soup kitchen at Sudbury is now closed for the season, on Easter eve160 dinners with plum puddings and a penny loaf were served to each recipient, 1700 dinners have been given away during the winter.

May 21st 1884

Thomas Sillitoe 16 and Benjamin Finch 16 Maurice Barber 21 and Charles Ward 17 were charged with assaulting Agnes Manning on the 27th of April, on the Sunday morning complainant and a fellow servant at Mr Gardiner’s Borley Lodge, went to Borley church, the defendants were following them down the road using obscene language, it was raining , I had an umbrella, Finch took it, Maurice Barber was charged with assaulting Emma Randall at the same time. Discharged with a caution.

May 28th 1884

Died at Melford. William Coker who had served with the 40th regiment in the 1st Cabul war in 1841 and in numerous other campaigns, he also served in Australia at Melbourne in 1852 and in 1854 engaged with the “diggers” at Bendigo also he was engaged with the “diggers” at Ballarat under Sir Robert Nicholls.

June 4th 1884

Bulmer. Cricket, Suffolk Harriers v Mr Byford’s 11, played on Monday last at Goldingham Hall resulting in favour of the home team by 48 runs, the Suffolk Harriers team were liberally entertained by Mr Byford as also were the 60 visitors who witnessed the match they joined in the pic-nic.

July 9th 1884

John Suttle and Abner Gridley were charged with being drunk and riotous at Glemsford on the 29th of June, P.C.Ward said he was on duty at Glemsford when he saw the two defendants, they were drunk and using bad language, they went to Suttle’s house and when inside they began to fight, Suttle came to the door and used violent language to me, defendants and their wives had been to Cavendish fair. £1 10s and 5s 6d costs each.

July 16th 1884

Mary Ann Hart, 69, a horse slaughterer of Belchamp Walter, was charged with unlawfully slaying a sheep without making an entry in a book kept for the purpose, Mrs Hart said the sheep was only worth about 2s 6d, P.C. Hurley said he visited her premises at Belchamp Walter and saw a sheep hanging, I examined the book and saw there was no entry. £2. Albert Martin a beerhouse keeper at Belchamp Walter was charged with allowing his horse to stray on the highway. 2s 6d and 6s 6d costs.

July 23rd 1884

Cavendish. A correspondent writes—a resident in the village has received from his son who lives in New Zealand, a carcase of frozen mutton via the steamship British King, it arrived in excellent condition quite equal to the best mutton sold in England, there are no doubt many who feel prejudice against meat of any kind being sent from the colonies, I am confident that one trial would convince the most sceptical, it would be a great boon to this country if it was sent in great abundance, this system no doubt would bring prices crashing of home grown mutton.

July 30th 1884

Clare. Advert. Clare Athletic Sports on Bank Holiday August 4th—to take place on Clare cricket ground. £40 in prizes. Harriet Harrington an inmate of Sudbury Union was charged with stealing 1s from Harriet Ager also an inmate at the Union House. 21 days hard labour. Gestingthorpe. The funeral of Master Branwhite took place on Monday last he was the only son of Mr Charles Branwhite of “The Moat”, he died suddenly at school on his 12th birthday.

August 6th 1884

Acton. We regret to announce the death of Mr George Cady of Slough farm, it appears the deceased gentleman attended Sudbury market on the Thursday previous and not feeling well he went to bed, it appears his death was from sunstroke.

August 13th 1884

Married at Glemsford—Stephen Boreham of Omaran, Otago, New Zealand, to Sarah the eldest daughter of Mr William Boreham, grocer of London. They were first cousins.

August 27th 1884

Matilda Bourne, chemist of Lavenham and William Collet her assistant were charged with cruelty to a dog, George Turner said he was in his shop and his dog was running about, I heard a noise in the Market Place, I looked and saw my dog with a tin tied on it’s tail, it came into my shop and I untied it’s tail which was swollen, Bourne said the dog was an nuisance by coming into her shop, I had no intention of being cruel. 5s each and 9s costs.

September 24th 1884

To be sold at Borley Place by H.E.Bentall as instructed by Mr J.S.Coker who is relinquishing housekeeping, the house-hold furniture etc.

September 24th 1884

Clare. Frederick Barsham of Clare was summoned for living in an overcrowded cottage in Bridewell street, Inspector Pitchforth said he visited Barsham’s cottage and found it was occupied by himself and his wife and six children with only one bedroom. Proceedings will be taken in three months if no improvement.

October 8th 1884

Sudbury corn market—wheat to 38s—Malting barley to 38s per quarter.

October 15th 1884

William Ruse and Charles Piper, boys of Melford, were charged with stealing apples the property of Mr W.Mills. Ruse to pay 5s and 3s 6d costs, Piper 2s 6d with 3s 6d costs.

October 22nd 1884

Henry Randall and Uriah King, able bodied inmates of Sudbury Union House at Sudbury were charged with refusing to work by Mr Tuddenham, one of the officials on Monday last, he said the gate from the Union to St Gregory’s church was open for the use of the guardians, both left by the gate without permission and did not return till 9 at night when they were brought back the worse for liquor, they had been found somewhere in Belchamp and were sent back by the Rev Dawson of Otten Belchamp. 14 days hard labour each.

November 5th 1884

Belchamp St Pauls. The fell destroyer has paid us another visit, a solemn warning to remind us “our home is not here”, on Friday afternoon, after 11 weeks of intense suffering there passed from among us James Smith the son of the blacksmith of this place.

November 12th 1884

Died—Walker killed by the Boers at Mafeking, Mootsica’s country, South Africa, Nathan Blofield, the eldest son of Nathan Walker of Hawthorn, Beckenham, Kent, formerly of Hasketon Woods, Suffolk, aged 34.

December 24th 1884

Married at Sydney, New South Wales, Tom the 3rd surviving son of William Cuthbert of Mendelsham, Suffolk to Mildred Standley, the eldest daughter the Rev Buchanan of Herne in Kent.

December 31st 1884

James Chapman aged 23 a labourer of Belchamp Otten to pay 1s 6d per week towards the support of the child of Eliza Gunn.

January 7th 1885

Emigration to New South Wales—The Agent General for the colony will provide approved applicants with passages to Sydney in first class steamships on payment of the undermentioned at reduced rates—Married couples not exceeding 40 years--£6—Single men not exceeding 35 years-£4—Single women not exceeding 40 years £2—Children under 3 years and under 14 years--£1—Farmers and Agricultural labourers—railway labourers—vine pressers and female domestics are much required. Apply Thomas Grubb, Long Melford, local agent.

Clare. An accident occurred on Monday evening to the mail cart which was starting for Sudbury, it had just left the post office and was going a rapid rate round Bell corner when the horse came in contact with another pony ridden by a boy, the small horse fell and the harness was much damaged, a few days since the same animal fell or laid down as it is said and would not start again until it was in the humour, if the animal is troublesome it would be better to try a fresh one.

Glemsford. On Thursday evening New Years day, Mr H.Foot a silk manufacturer of this place and Sudbury gave his workers a hot supper in his factory under the superintendence of Mr Ezra Game, the party numbering 50 sat down at 5 to a capital dinner of rounds of beef and legs of mutton etc, the company then passed a pleasant evening with songs.

January 14th 1885

Albert Martin, beerhouse keeper of Belchamp Walter was charged with being drunk and disorderly at the Anchor Inn in Sudbury on the evening of 27th of December, John Nicholls, the landlord said his attention was drawn to him by a barmaid on account of him using blackguardly language, I asked him to leave, he refused, I sent for the police. 20s with 8s costs. James Yeldham, a fish hawker of Sible Hedingham was summoned by Nunn Boreham for beating him at the White Horse, Sible Hedingham. 1s with 17s 6d costs

January 21st 1885

Wanted at Alpheton Hall. A stockman who can milk. Apply to Fred Branwhite at Long Melford. Bulmer. A fire broke out on Friday last in a field belonging to Mr R.Keeble of Kitchen farm, a flax stack in Sandy lane which forms a back road to the Aubries, the stack was situated close to a hedge, was the proceeds of 10 acres, it is supposed the fire was deliberate.

January 28th 1885

Patrick Felton aged 11 of Bulmer was charged with setting fire to a flax stack at Bulmer. Michael Reed said I live at Bulmer, at about 8 -30 I was in Sandy Lane with my brother and James Rogue, we were about ½ a mile from the stack, when the defendant caught up with us on our way to school we could see flames and I said to the prisoner “I wonder if it is the house”. William Butcher said I work for Mr Keeble and was ploughing near the stack, I saw the boy run away. Not enough evidence and the prisoner was discharged.

February 4th 1885

Bulmer. The Board of Guardians of Sudbury Union invite tenders for 3 brick and tile cottages situate in Bulmer Tye and 3 thatched cottages also situate in Bulmer Tye in occupation of Widow Parker, Ester Walford and George Carter.

February 25th 1885

Clare. On Friday morning several hundreds of quartern loaves were distributed at Clare church among the poorer families of the parish, it is known as “Goose Croft”.

March 11th 1885

James Whiting of Wickham St Pauls was charged with indecently exposing himself in Friars Street, Sudbury, James Burkitt said “I live on the Market Hill in Sudbury and am a linen draper, on Sunday evening at about 7-30 I saw the defendant easing himself, I told him he should be ashamed of himself, several people were about and several females were coming from the Salvation Army meeting, it was bright moonlight.” The Mayor said his conduct was very improper but he did not think it was to annoy anyone, they would not convict but under a Recent Act but he would have to pay the costs.

March 28th 1885

Clare. A remarkable slaughter of mice occurred a few days ago at Moon Hall, Stoke by Clare, some stacks were being thrashed and a number of boys assembled for the sport, it is stated the proprietor offered the lads ½ d a score for all they could kill, they cheerfully went to work and in the end they found they had earned 16s 6d, the number seems incredible amounting to 8000 mice and taking into consideration the number which escaped the colony of “meece” has seldom been heard off. This illustrates one of the risks of keeping stacks of corn as more frequently they cause serious losses.

March 28th 1885

Pentlow. A capital run was had at Pentlow on Wednesday afternoon when a stag belonging to Mr William Nott of Henny was uncarted near Pentlow Tower, the stag was hunted by Mr Gardiner’s Newmarket draghounds, the stag which was followed by numerous gentlemen went off at a smart pace passing Mr Joseph Orbell’s (Paines Manor) to George Chickall’s at Belchamp (Sheering Place) down to Mr Daniel Offord’s mill,(Cavendish Mill) across the stream at Pentlow Mill, over the railway passed King Viall’s.on to Mr Garret’s woods(at Cavendish) to Boxted Hall to Hartest to Somerton and Hawkedon where it was captured, the chase lasted 3 hours and afforded capital sport, the stag hunt formed a pretty sight from the top of Pentlow Tower. The stag was stowed in a dog cart and driven home to Henny by Mr George Ruffel.

March 28th 1885

Died on March 15th at Castle Malwood near Lyndhurst, General Richard Parker late of the 1st Life Guards and Colonel of the 5th Dragoon Guards, the youngest son of the late Admiral Hyde Parker in his 82nd year.

April 22nd 1885

William Hume and Arthur Tokely, young labourers of Pebmarsh were charged with disorderly conduct and damaging tables etc and refusing to quit the Windmill Inn at Alphamptstone. 4s 6d with 5s costs each.

April 29th 1885

Mr Charles Adams, sexton of the parish of Glemsford has undertaken the position of Town Crier at Glemsford.

May 13th 1885

To be sold, about 60 dozen new horseshoes made from old iron, to be sold cheap. Apply George Smith, blacksmith, Cavendish. A steady youth aged 17 is seeking a situation as general servant, has been accustomed to horse and trap. Apply Arthur Hicks, Poslingford. Harry Pilgrim 19 and Henry Mann 16, barge boys, were charged with taking and selling fish from the river Stour. 6d with 7s 6d costs each.

June 10th 1885

On Saturday last George Sexton, son of Mr G.M.Sexton of Wherstead and J.Offord the son of Mr Offord of Belchamp St Pauls left England for New York, they have for some time been with Sexton and Grimwade of Colchester, they are now proceeding to Hayes City, Kansas where they will establish a livestock agency as there is a large interchange of stock between the two continents. Mr Sexton, as a recognition of his services to the Shire Horse Society was presented with a complete set of the Society’s Stud Book

June 17th 1885

Advert. Notice to visitors intending visit London, anyone requiring home from home should stay at Housden’s Hotel, 17 Kings Street, Finsbury Square, terms Beds 1s 6d to 2s—Breakfast or Tea, 1s 3d to 1s 9d. Apply C.Whorlow, Kentish lodge, Sudbury. Wanted, a Farm Bailiff for the 16th of June, wife must understand poultry. Apply to T.P. Brand, Brook Hall, Foxearth.

July 15th 1885

Park Cottage to let, situated opposite the entrance to Kentwell Hall gates, three bedrooms etc, adjoining Melford Hall park. £12 per year.

July 31st 1885

Pentlow. To be sold at Buntings farm, Pentlow, on July 31st by directions of the exors of Miss Charlotte Chickall, deceased-- household furniture, etc. Castle Hedingham. On Tuesday evening this village was visited by some of the officers of the Salvation Army from Belchamp, they marched into the village headed by the “blood and fire” band, a Salvationist trumpeter and a fiddle while the rest of the invaders sang and shouted in stentorian rasping voices. A service was held in the square during which the “War Cry” was hawked round, the hat was passed round with little success and the Officers begged the hearers “to throw in a copper or two” and make it up to 2s, there was not much interruption although returning home they were somewhat roughly handled just on the outskirts of the village.

August 7th 1885

To be let Michaelmas—Smeetham Hall farm, Bulmer, close to Sudbury and upon the Aubries estate—Family residence—4 labourers cottages—404 acres of which 64 acres are grass. The farm has been in the hands of the same family for over 200 years and now a change only on account of the present occupant is retiring.

August 26th 1885

The Swan Inn at Long Melford to be let. Apply Edmund Butcher of Ballingdon Brewery. To be let—Pebmarsh King’s Head which has been in the same family for two generations. Apply Oliver Brothers of Sudbury.

September 2nd 1885

To be sold—Crouch House farm, Gestingthorpe, consisting of 93 acres, good house and premises. Apply Mr J.G.Vaisey land agent Braintree. Bulmer—On Monday last, Col. St George Burke kindly gave the children of Bulmer school a treat at the Aubries, the little folk numbering 136 amused themselves with races and games etc, and in boats on the lake.

September 9th 1885

Sale at Largess farm, Belchamp Walter by directions of the proprietor Mr George Coote—16 cows—1 shorthorn bull—19 steers and heifers—85 fat shearlings—all bred at Smeetham Hall which is but a mile away. Important notice. Stoppage of all traffic on the Pentlow to Cavendish bridge. All traffic will be stopped from Monday September 10th until futher notice. Henry Stock, Essex surveyor and Frank Whitmore Suffolk surveyor.

September 16th 1885

A new rate will come in for telegrams on October 1st, after that date the charge will be 6d for 12 words and ½ d for every additional word. There are numerous farm sales advertised.

September 16th 1885

Castle Hedingham. Hop picking. This branch of agriculture though nearly extinct in Essex still retains a slight hold here and picking began on Monday last at Mr Rayner’s farm. Mr Thomas Gillis, the Inspector of police in Hedingham has recently lifted a fine crop of potatoes of the “Schoolmaster” sort and some fine “White Elephants.”

November 4th 1885

A fair specimen of a young dotterel was found in Melford Hall park, it is supposed it was killed by striking it’s wing on telegraph wires, it is not yet in full plumage, when in full feathers it is very handsome, we believe there is no record of this bird have ever been taken in this neighbourhood. In Doctor Babington’s “History of Suffolk Birds” no mention is made of the bird, the bird has acquired the character of being a foolish bird, they also make fine eating. Rara Avis is the Latin for the bird, it’s English name came from dote which means in Latin, “stupid fellow”. The bird is in the hands of Mr Rose the naturalist of Sudbury for preservation.

November 11th 1885

On Friday morning as Inspector Farthing and P.C. Cole were on Melford Bridge at about 1-30 they saw a fire right across the fields, the Inspector went for the fire engine and P.C.Cole ran in the direction of the fire, it was found to be a large stubble barn at Windmill farm, Melford, also the sheds and stables were well alight, the man living in the house was awakened by ashes striking the window, he got up and let the horses out of the yard, the premises are only ¼ of a mile from the recent fire at Chiswick farm, there is no doubt it is the work of an incendiary. There were corn stacks nearby but as the wind was contrary they were saved. The fire engine arrived but it was a long time before it would work, the men it seems knew little about it, ultimately it worked and they quenched the flames. The farm is in occupation of Mr Leach and belongs to Sir William Hyde Parker. On Friday afternoon a young man named Strutt, the son of the bailiff was arrested on suspicion.

November 18th 1885

Glemsford. Finsted End. The 4th anniversary of the opening of the Mission Room was observed on Sunday last the 15th, there was a special service in the morning and in the afternoon with large congregations. Alfred Deal 29 and Joseph Firmin 16 of Belchamp St Pauls and Nathaniel Chinery of Belchamp Walter were charged with assaulting and beating Walter Downs of Gestingthorpe. William Wright said he was at his Chapel at Belchamp Walter at the door to keep order, Chinery threw stones at him and used bad language, Arthur Chapman said “I am the service of the Lord, a special in the Salvation Army” I was at the Chapel on November 1st when stones came in through the window, he went out and saw Deal and Firmin running away, there was a crowd of 30-40 others, he did not see Chinery. Truman Downs said he was at the Chapel on November 1st, two or three stones came through the window, some hit my father on the head, there were a lot of stones thrown through the window. 10s each with 4s 6d costs. Elijah Taylor of Belchamp St Pauls was charged with damaging a window at the same time but dismissed through lack of evidence The meat and soup kitchen at Sudbury has been reopened re-opened for today, tickets can be obtained from Miss Ransom and Mr B.R. Marten at the market hill. Frederick Basham of Chilton Street, Clare, was summoned for allowing overcrowding in his cottage, the Inspector said that there was only one sleeping room in the cottage where defendant and his wife and five children ranging from 16—10 -6—1 ½ slept. Fined 2s 6d and ordered to abate the nuisance.

December 16th 1885

Inquest at Gt Cornard on body of Louisa Ruse, aged 4 years, Mr Ruth Ruse said she lives at Gt Cornard and her husband was a farm labourer, on Thursday afternoon at about 3 she left the house with two other children, she was not gone long, about ½ an hour, when she got back the house was full of smoke and the children were screaming, she called Louisa who answered “I am here”, she rushed out to the yard with the deceased who said “I fell on the fire”. No blame to anyone as women had a great deal to do and frequently left the children. Inquest at Gestingthorpe on a child named Bessie Gordon the daughter of Mrs Eliza Gordon, widow, it appears that Bessie aged 9 years was left at home with her sister while the mother went to work, the two children were sitting each side of the fire place when they took the bellows down to blow the fire, Bessie tried to hang the bellows back up again and reaching over the fire her clothes became ignited, she rushed out of the house into the road to the home of a neighbour, Mrs Keys, who extinguished the flames, the poor child died the next day. Accidental.

December 23rd 1885

On Friday last 170 children of the parish of Bekchamp St Pauls were ushered into the schoolroom which was lighted by coloured lanterns, there was a Christmas tree of 12ft high on which with it’s widespread branches was a huge and heavy crop of strange and rich fruits, after carols each child was the recipient of warm clothing, two toys, bag of sweets, a Christmas card, a bun and an orange.