January 13th 1885

Alfred Martin a beerhouse keeper of Belchamp Walter was fined 20s for being drunk and disorderly in the Anchor Hotel at Sudbury and refusing to quit the premises when ordered by the landlord Mr John Cooper.

February 10th 1885

While two men named Windred and Byford were rat shooting by moonlight at Clare, Windred fired at a rat just as Byford came round the corner of the stack and most of the charge went into Byford's legs. He is progressing favourably.

February 17th 1885

Many people in Cotton are complaining about the shortage of eggs. Last week 500 eggs were laid upon and sold from Hall Farm, in this place the hen wife is the wife of the bailiff, last season 500 eggs a week were sold from this off-hand farm.

February 17th 1885

At Sudbury County Court there was a claim for the balance of an account for killing pigs. Fairbank said he charged 11d each for killing pigs and 5d for jointers. Defendant Maxim had had the pig disease, he stuck the pigs and buried them for 2d each. Verdict for that amount.

February 24th 1885

A strange child of about 5 or 6 appeared at Poslingford near Shadow Bush. The policeman took her to Clare and handed her over to the relieving officer who lodged her at the Bell Hotel while he made inquiries. It was found she had wandered from Hundon a distance of 7 miles, the parents who were very distressed had been looking for her all day.
February 24th. William Brinkley aged 56 was found hanging in the stable at Glemsford. Suicide.

March 10th 1885

For sale at Clay-pits farm, Foxearth. The live and dead stock from Miss Coker who is quitting the farm. 6 horses, carriage and implements.

March 24th 1885

There was a strike among tailoresses at Clare last week. Messrs Smith and Son's agent from Chevington was attending with a quantity of work consisting of men's coats which were to be made for 3© d each, out of which 1d was to be paid for working button holes. The cargo had to be taken back to Chevington. The women are to be congratulated for their pluck.

March 24th 1885

There was a conference at the Town Hall, Sudbury, between masters and men on the mat weavers strike. There were two delegates from the workmen from each factory, they were invited by the masters to return to work at the reduced rates until June when they would return to the rates before the reductions. Refused.

March 31st 1885

Melford Swan was sold to Mr Frederick Wickham for £ 680.

March 31st 1885

Frederick Parmenter of Cavendish was charged with stealing a silver watch from Mr Alfred Coldham a farmer of Cavendish who said I was assisting with the harvest, I hung my waistcoat on a cart, the prisoner was in my employ, I accused him of taking the watch, he denied it. Walter Harrison, assistant pawnbroker of Sudbury, said a young man who said his name was Rudmore and from Belchamp, he offered me the watch.
Defendant has a long list of convictions. Two months hard labour.

March 31st 1885

On Monday there a large concourse of people including representatives from the Army assembled in the retired churchyard at Bulmer for the funeral of an old Waterloo veteran John Pryke aged 91 years. The coffin was draped with the Union Jack, among the mourners were four pensioners decorated with medals who had passed through the Indian Mutiny and had married the granddaughters of the deceased. One of the grandson's, a bugler was present. Deceased was the sexton at Bulmer for 24 years, he lost his wife 15 years ago, he leaves six daughters and many grand childrena and great grandchildren. It is stated that there are only two other survivors of Waterloo.

April 7th 1885

A fine specimen of a female otter is exhibited in Mr Love's shop at Clare, it was caught in the Stour about half a mile from the town and preserved by Travis of Bury. This is the second female otter taken from the Stour in ten months in the district.

May 5th 1885

At a meeting of the Wickhambrook Cricket Club it was decided to carry on as usual in Denston Park, there was a deficiency of £ 2 15s 2d.

May 19th 1885

The adjourned case at Clare regarding insufficiency of the water supply at Stansfield Hall. Stansfield Hall is the property of Mr Poley, the tenant is Mr Hanchett. At a meeting in March Mr Poley's agent said everything possible would be done to obtain water. Mr Hanchett said he had live at the Hall for 8 years and Dr Stutter had told him the cause of the death of his wife was improper water supply. A new well had been dug to the depth of 100ft and then a bore of 30ft in an attempt to find water. A fine of only 10s was imposed as there had been attempts to find water.

June 9th 1885

A few months ago a field adjoining Liston Lane in Melford was diposed off in building plots, a portion was reserved for a Mission Hall for the accomodation of those in the lower part of the village. The cost is to be defrayed by the Rev Martyn. The erection of the church has commenced with the corners stones being laid on Saturday by the Rev Martyn, the building will be of red brick with white facing. Mr Knight of London is the architect and the building will handsomely set off the the new street being now being formed.

June 16th 1885

At a sale of property at the White Horse, Ballingdon, the licenced beerhouse with a shop and bake office at No 1-4 Prospect Place on the Bulmer road at Bulmer was sold to Mr Pearson for £ 285.

August 7th 1885

Alfred Levell of Belchamp Walter was summoned for cruelty to a mule. The Rev Leakey, vicar of Acton, said he was in his garden and saw defendant beating the mule which was weak and old.
William Mills from Rodbridge said he was in one of his fields and saw two men in a cart, one was beating a mule, he said to them," you should be served like that". 1 month hard labour.

August 7th 1885

John Suttle, Alfred Suttle and James Bevis of Glemsford were charged with being drunk and disorderly at Glemsford. Bevis 5s and the Suttles 21 days as they are old offenders

August 7th 1885

Formation at Sudbury of a Conservative Association. Mr J.B.Westoby is chairman.

August 11th 1885

There was a frightful accident at Great Cornard in a harvest field on a farm in occupation of Mr William Prigg. A man named Thomas Barrell aged 63 lost his life when he was driving a reaping machine when one of the wheels came in contact with a stone and threw him on to the revolving knifes behind him. The other men in the field stopped the machine and found deceased with fearful lacerations and life extinct. Deceased had only one arm with which he drove the horses and could not save himself. William Carter a 13 year old labourer said he was driving the front horse at Cloggs Hall when he looked round he saw deceased lying under the machine. Walter Cardy a labourer said deceased was not drunk. Arthur Simmonds said he saw deceased under the machine with his neck broken. John Burch, a lad, said he was in the field and saw a horse kick the machine and deceased fell off. Accidental death.

September 15th 1885

The live and dead stock for sale at White Hall farm, Great Waldingfield, by orders of the exors of the late Henry Brand.
19 horses-2 hackneys-2 cobs-2 Jersey cows-2 Jersey bulls-150 ewes-110 wethers. At Largess Farm, Belchamp Walter, by the directions of the proprietor-Steam Threshing engine, 8hp, and threshing machine. 8 horses- 100 ewes-6 cows-10 steers, etc.

October 20th 1885

On Friday morning, a boy employed by Mrs Ardley at Melford was driving sheep over the crossing on the Bury line when the sheep ran onto the embankment, the poor boy could not get them off and the 11-20 from Bury ran into them killing 23 of them.

November 3rd 1885

The new mission room at Melford was opened on Wednesday last, the room is situated in a newly made road near Liston road. The room is to be called the Catherine rooms.

November 10th 1885

At about one o'clock on Friday morning, Inspector Farthing and P.C.Cole were on duty near Melford bridge when they saw a fire across the fields. The P.C. ran across the fields and the Inspector went for the fire brigade, it was found that the large stubble barn, sheds and stables at Windmill farm were alight. The man living in the house was awakened by ashes striking the window, he got up and let the horses out of the premises. The fire is about quarter of a mile from Chiswick farm where a fire occurred a few weeks ago. There is no doubt it is the work of an incendiary. The large barn was completely destroyed together with stables, sheds, stacks, much machinery and unthreshed beans in the barn and a self binder. The wind blew contrary to the fire saving several stacks. The engine arrived but men the seemed to know little about it and as it had not been used recently it was some time before it was started up, when it did it quenched the ruins. The farm is in occupation of George Leech and belongs to Sir William Hyde Parker. On Friday afternoon the police apprehended a young man named Strutt, he is the son of the bailiff.

November 10th 1885

Henry Brown and Charles Parmenter of Cavendish and Frank and John Johnson of Pentlow were summoned for fighting in Cavendish street. Bound over in the sum of £ 5 or 3 months. The Johnson's refused to pay saying they would rather go to prison.

November 17th 1885

There was an inquest at Sudbury on George French a shoemaker aged 54 who's body was found near the Croft bridge. He was a widower with seven children, his wife died 12 months ago. He wished to marry Mrs Herbert but the family objected, one of his daughters aged 16 acted as housekeeper, she said she saw him go down to the Croft. Next morning at about six, a boy going to work at Brundon Hall saw a hat and coat with a pipe lying near the river bank, he told a man named Piper of it who took the things to his house, he told no-one about it until one of the deceased's family asked him about it, after some hesitation he gave the things to the police who dragged the river near the spot and found the body. Suicide.

December 29th 1885

Butchers shops at Melford were well stocked as usual for Christmas. Mr F.Segers had three handsome home bred beasts from Simpson's market at Bury weighing 60 stone each, two from Mr Mills at Rodbridge and a superb heifer from Mr T.Brand of Foxearth weighing 70 stone and 14 sheep. Mr Alfred Allen had a home bred bullock grazed by Mr Keeble from Wood Hall, Sudbury, and one from Mr Westrop of Melford Place.
Mr Ruse had a splendid steer weighing 80 stone from Mr Burrell of Thetford, one from Mr Meekings of Chilton Hall and one from Bradwell, two sheep from Messrs Ward and Silver of Melford and two prize Southdown sheep from the Marquis of Bristol. Mr A.Allen had a capital selection of geese, turkeys, chickens and ducks etc.

January 5th 1886

George Debenham and Elijah Fitch, labourers of Stanstead were charged with assaulting Henry Mills a woodman in Stanstead White Hart on election day. Henry Haylock a gamekeeper of Stanstead said he saw the complainant leaving the White Hart and heard a row outside and a scuffle, the row was about the " blues". 10s each with 7s 6d costs.

January 5th 1886

James Beeton of Lavenham pleaded guilty to causing a breach of the peace at Lavenham on December 28th. P.C.Clarke said defendant started to abuse members of the Salvation Army and struck one of the young men as he was passing and interfered with the young women.
£ 10 or 3 months.

February 9th 1886

Last week a number of lads were attracted to a stack at Clare where rat catching was going on. In order to get back to school on time they took a short cut across the railway bridge, one of the boys named William Gostling aged 13 and son of the landlord of the Bell Inn heard a splash behind him and saw Sidney Dyson in the water, Gostling with grat presence of mind lay down and drew him to the bank.

February 9th 1886

John Cooper a hawker appeared on information from Mr W.G.Walford of Brundon Hall for allowing two horses to trespass on a clover field and for rescuing them from poundage at Brundon Hall. Two of Mr Walford's men, one of whom lives near Brundon wood said they drove the horses down the lane to their master's premises and impounded them in a field and padlocked the gate. Mr Walford's groom informed him that two men were galloping about the meadow and had been threatening that they would kill him and he let the men take the horses away. Mr Walford drove to Ballingdon, took up the police and went to the Kings Head where they saw defendant who said he had leave to put his horses onto a grove that was hired from Mr Walford by the landlord. 10s with 2s 6d costs.

February 9th 1886

During the usual procession of the Salvation Army a group of roughs met them in North Street, Sudbury, near St Gregory's church they began to stone them, several members were wounded. Upon their arrival at their barracks in Station road they received medical attention.

March 2nd 1886

As George Cant the landlord of the Black Lion, Melford, was driving in a horse and cart near the Conduit accompanied by Mr B.Hurst the organist, the horse fell, both occupants were precipitated on the ground. Mr Cant received a broken arm.

March 2nd 1886

Five lads were charged with attacking the Salvation Army at Sudbury. Charles Leeks, Charles Felton, Ben Stearns, Robert Edey and Scott were fined 15s each with 10s costs.

March 16th 1886

Jeptha Crick of Glemsford was charged with riding on the shafts of a waggon which was laden with coal down Westgate hill at Melford, the waggon belongs to Mr J.W.Poley. 10s-7s costs.

March 30th 1886

Trade in Glemsford is generally slack, the hair and silk workers have but indifferent employment. In cocoa nut manuufacturies there is a perceptible dimunition in the number of workmen and few are working full time.

March 30th 1886

As Mr W.Claydon of Steeple Bumpstead was walking across one of his fields he came across a fine dead vixen and laying by its side was three dead rabbits, a dead rat and a dead blackbird.

March 30th 1886

The Green Dragon, Sudbury for sale together with the pig market. It was sold to Mr Gooch of the Oak Inn for £ 900. The Four Swans was sold to the tenant Mr Bailey for £ 1800.

August 6th 1886

A new memorial window in Great Waldingfield church has been unveiled in memory of Miss Emily Baily, sister of the late rector.

April 27th 1886

At the Cock and Bell, Melford, the sale of Melford Gas Works on instructions of Mr David Ward and the executors of the late James Silver. Two and a half miles of mains and fitments now in full working order etc. Melford is at the junction of G.E.R. railway and the inhabitants number 3300. The production of gas in the last 3 years is 2.700.000.? per anum.

April 6th 1886

Charles Lefley a poulterer and fishmonger of Sudbury was charged with exposing for sale some wood pigeons contrary to the wild birds act. Defendant said he was ignorant of the fact as he could not read. The magistrates said as it was the first case under the act they would discharge him on payment of 5s 6d costs.

April 6th 1886

Albert Martin a beerhouse keeper of Belchamp Walter was with leaving a horse unattended longer than was neccesary while unloading. P.C.Nixon said it was standing outside the Angel Inn in Sudbury. 10s with 10s costs.

May 4th 1886

The season for bark peeling or " barsel" has arrived as it is called locally. A man from Assington was severely injured when a tree fell on him while carrying out this work. May 18th 1886. Inquest on William Warner a labourer of Assington who was killed when a tree fell on him while " barking" in the vicarage garden. Accidental death.

May 18th 1886

Melford Gas works has been sold to Mr Stuart of London for £ 2500

May 25th 1886

James Adams, a carrier of Glemsford was charged with receiving horse provender and George Wordley with stealing it, the property of William Byford of Glemsford. Wordley is employed at Glemsford station where he had a shed to keep the provender. P.C.Ward said he found the provender at Adam's house and Frederick Richold the manager for Mr Byford said it was Mr Byford's property and he had missed the provender from Glemsford station and had told P.C.Ward to search Adams house. Ebenezer Hartley said he was employed by Mr Byford as entire traveller. Adams had brought some provender to him at the George Inn, Bury, but not for three years. For trial.

June 8th 1886

George Bartley a dealer from Glemsford was charged at Guildhall police station with sending bad meat to London. £ 10 with £ 10 costs.

July 13th 1886

There was an inquest at the Maldon Grey on Alfred Bowers aged 5 years 11 months who drowned while fishing in the Stour the previous Thursday. The body was identified by Mahala King because the mother was too ill to attend. Deceased lived with his mmother in Girling Street. Harry Sheldrake, deceased's companion, said he saw him fall into the water and ran to give the alarm to two men in a boat. Harry Medcalf, a grocer's porter, said he was in a boat close to the siding on the Chilton side of the water leading to the signal box, a boy came to him and said there was a boy in the river near Lady's Bridge, he used his oar to raise the body. Accidental Death.

August 3rd 1886

Martha Pettitt aged 14 years was charged with using abusive language to Mr J.Robinson, the Inspector of nuisances at Melford.
Complainant said he lived near the Perseverance Inn at Melford where the defendant is employed as a servant, she continually annoyed him by calling him " Satan" and your " Satanic Majesty". On the 23rd he was in his garden next to the Perseverance when she said " how's your temper you old blackguard" and " how is the old wall eyed Irish wench" meaning my wife. Martha Mills said she lived nearby and said she heard call out to Mrs Robinson " poor old boss eye". George Mitchell the ostler at the Perseverance and Boby the manager said the complainant was always annoying their mistress, Mrs Medcalf. Dismissed but Mrs Medcalf was warned about her behaviour.

August 3rd 1886

At Bury Market. Wheat 34s-36s. Grinding barley 21s-25s.
Pigs 7s a score.

August 10th 1886

There was an inquest on Nellie Easterbee a 2 years and 11 months old girl at the Sudbury Town Hall. Her father William Battersbee said they lived at Old Battersea in London and had come down by train to see friends at Middleton on the early train, on leaving the station they called at the Great Eastern Hotel for refreshments, they left their four children outside, two of the children were in a bassinette with the hood up. He said he saw a large van passing just as the bassinette ran down an incline, the children had let go when they saw the van bearing down on them, the two children were thrown under the wheels, the oldest one had it's scalp cut off and its brains were lying about, the baby was not injured. Accidental death.

August 17th 1886

A boy employed by Mr George Leech of Melford was driving a bull and cows to pasture when the bull gored the boy, the boy ran but the bull plunged at him and tossed him causing serious lacerations and bruising. The animal has since been shot.

August 24th 1886

On Sunday afternoon as Mr and Mrs Weston of the Black Boy in Sudbury were out for a drive accompanied by their two dogs who began fighting when they left the Hotel and continued down Friars Street, when near the Bull Inn the pony seems to have been bitten and dashed through Ballingdon and Bulmer when it stopped at Pinch Hill with the trap almost a wreck. Mr and Mrs Weston were unhurt, the dogs were destroyed.

August 31st 1886

The annual license renewal day in the Melford district was this week, all were renewed except for the Perseverance Hotel which was left until September 24th, in the meantime the police will watch over it and report on it.

September 7th 1886

John Lynch the church warden at St Gregory's church in Sudbury was charged with beating a little boy aged 5 years in the churchyard. There was a cross charge against the boy for breaking a window in the church. Mr Banham, the boy's father, said the boy came home crying and said Dr Lynch had beaten him with a stick, he took the boy to Dr Lynch who said " if you dont like what I have done, you must summon me.
Fined 5s. The charge against the boy was dropped. The case caused great interest in the towm and the court was crowded.

September 28th 1886

At the Harvest Home celebrations at Foxearth, the Rev Foster alluded to the agricultural matters and said that the men had been promised three acres and a cow but they had not yet come to hand but if the men had three acres they could not till them and stay in their present places at the same time and if they employed hired labour they would have to wait for profit which might not come, so what good would three acres be to them, he would rather they should have a large garden or allotment that they could cultivate and hoped the men would give him and their masters credit for their good intentions, they were at the present time far better off than the masters who were losing not gaining. After the dinner various games were played, then tea and supper in the evening.

September 7th 1886

Death of Mr Charles Branwhite of Moat Farm, Gestingthorpe.

October 19th 1886

A serious fire broke out in the brewery at Ballingdon belonging to Messrs Mauldon. George Patrick and a man named Finch who work and sleep on the premises did a lot to save the brewery with buckets of water until the fire engine arrived.

November 3rd 1886

Frederick Parmenter, a labourer of Cavendish was charged with assaulting James Plumb at Pentlow and George Plumb at Cavendish. 1 month.

December 2nd 1886

A fire was discovered in a straw stack at Lyston, the stack which was half a mile from Melford belonged to Mr Henry Westropp of Melford Place. There is little doubt that was deliberate.

December 14th 1886

Mr W.Hodson gave an interesting lecture to a large audience on Sudbury a hundred years ago. For about an hour he discoursed on his native town, telling of dark and dirty streets and the goings on, describing cock fights and bull baiting two hundred years ago. In the Corporation books a number of butchers were fined because they killed the bulls and sold the beef from bulls which had not been baited, contrary to ancient usages of the Borough.

December 14th 1886

A drawing room meeting in support of the Church Army was held in Melford. The meeting was arranged by the Rev Martyn of Melford and the Rev Arundel Leakey of Acton, it was decided to establish a local branch of the Army.

December 21st 1886

Harry Edgley was granted a new licence for Hundon Horseshoe as the late tenant is bankrupt.

December 21st 1886

Harry Layford and Alfred Claydon, game watchers of Shimpling were summoned for being drunk on the highway at Shimpling.
Both pleaded guilty saying they had sat up all night and had a little beer. 5s with 5s 9d costs.

December 21st 1886

The new Post Office on Sudbury market hill was opened on Saturday. It is in a commanding position being 28ft high and 36ft long, it is faced with red bricks and Brosely tiles.

December 28th 1886

The butchers at Melford were fully stocked for Christmas. F.Segers had a Shorthorm bullock from Scott of Felsham of 80 stone, two of 65 stone and four from Old Bucklesham of 46 stone. A.Allen had two heifers from H.Meekings of Chilton of 60 and 70 stone, four Shorthorns and a fine fed calf of 54 stone from Col.Burke of the Aubries at Bulmer and two steers from William Byford at Rodbridge of 70 stone each. Mr Ruse patronised Bury market with two Shorthron heifers 50 stone each from Mrs Byford at Bulmer and a heifer of 84 stone from Coney Weston, a Shorthorn from Shepherd Ewer of Foxearth weighing 88 stone and one of 50 stone from the same place.