January 30th 1886

Suffolk Assizes. The Grand Jury did not find a true bill against Charles Strutt who was charged with setting fire to a certain barn and stacks the property of Sir William Hyde Parker at Long Melford on November 6th 1885

January 30th 1886

Melford riots. The Grand Jury have found a true bill against, etc etc.

There are numerous pages in the Bury Free Press about the riots and which are well documented by the late Richard Deeks in his book THE MATMAKERS AND THE MAGISTRATES.

February 6th 1886

Wanted. Nurse child by a respectable couple willing to take it from birth or otherwise. Apply L.67 at Westgate Street, Bury St Edmunds.

February 13th 1886

Lt Waldingfield. A fatal accident occurred to James Day aged 80 a labourer of this parish who met his death by being severely burnt while undressing in front of the fire, previous to retiring to bed. He died from his injuries last week.

February 13th 1886

Cowlinge. We understand a principal farmer in this village has offered to give some acres to be cut up into allotments for the benefit of the labourers. We hope the example of Mr Samuel Pond will be followed by others in Cowlinge who we believe is badly off in respect of cottage gardens.

February 13th 1886

Boxford. Harry Morley for stealing a fowl to the value of 2s 6d the property of his master Mr B. Gardiner of Newton was fined £1.

February 20th 1886

Richard Thake of Haverhill was charged with stealing 3 hens the property of Emily Kiddy of Withersfiled, 
Evidence not sufficient -case dismissed.

February 20th 1886

Charles Dearsley and William Turner of Clare were charged with assaulting Elizabeth Martin of Chilton street, Clare. Turner 2 months hard labour, Dearsley £1 4s 6d.

February 27th 1886

Queensland. This young and promising colony offers special advantages to all classes and the Queens Royal Mail line conveys passengers by steamship for £7. Assisted passages will be granted to eligible persons such as Engineers-Farmers-Engine drivers-Rail carriage builders-Blacksmiths-Bricklayers-Sawyers-Carpenters-Wheelwrights-Shoemakers-Tailors-Shipwrights-Farm labourers-Domestic servants-Gardeners-Vine pressers-Road makerd-Miners----Quarry men-Navvies--. 
Persons not eligible will be taken for the following rates. 2nd cabins, £31 10s and 3rd class for £17.

February 27th 1886

Last Sunday the Salvation Army was attacked on the Melford road at Sudbury by a mob of roughs while they were returning home to barracks
The mob set upon the leaders of the procession and harassed them till they reached the Croft where the Captain was seized from behind, his arms were held whilst others struck him in the face and mouth, some people saw the attack and assisted the Salvationists. 
The Mayor expressed sympathy and granted several summons against their ringleaders.

March 6th 1886

Inquest at the town hall in Sudbury on Charles Beer aged 55 years, a carpenter, whose body was found in the River Stour near the water mill, the widow said about four years ago deceased had £90 left him, he was fond of drink and gave up work, he behaved so badly to her she left him after 30 years of marriage.
He had been to his son's in Ballingdon the previous day and received from him money for food, lodgings, beer and tobacco, he seemed very depressed. 
Found drowned.

March 20th 1886

Melford. Caution to waggoners . Jabez Quick of Gelmsford, labourer, was charged with riding without reins on the 2nd inst in Westgate lane, Melford, on the day referred to he was standing on the shafts of a waggon drawn by four horses without reins. 
10s with 7s costs.

April 3rd 1886

William Smee and Joseph Twitchett of Ashen were charged with srealing 56 lbs of coal valued at 6d the property of the exors of Mr Ewer of Ovington, 
Smee did not appear. 
P.C.Coe said that Twitchett threw coal from a cart at the crossing gates, he did not know for whom it was intended but supposed it for the benefit of the crossing keeper, a man named Drake. 
Defendant pleaded not guilty but said he saw Smee throw some off the wagon. 
Fined £1 and a warrant was issued for Smee's arrest.

April 10th 1886

Advert. Buffallo meat biscuits, sound wholesome food for dogs supplied in bags of 1 cwt each. J. Floyd and Co, chemists of the Cornhill, Bury St Edmunds.

April 10th 1886

Inquest at the Town Hall, Sudbury on Robert Tayler aged 37, a bricklayer, deceased was with George Layzell, a groom,in a small boat on the river Stour at the back of Holgate House, Sudbury, when the boat suddenly tipped over,
Mr Langham of Holgate House observed the occurrence and pluckily went to their rescue but deceased was unhappily drowned, Layzell who lives at Gt Cornard was attended by Mr Lynch. 
Accidental drowning.

April 10th 1886

Stansfield. Inquest on a woman unknown who was found drowned in a stream known as "burnt ash river" in this parish, 
Mrs Ellen Taylor said she met deceased when returning from a walk, two of the children who she was with called her attention to deceased who was in the water. She ran to her assistance and held out a skipping rope to her but deceased was too far gone to grasp it, a woman named Satchell living nearby came and passed the rope over her head, she died soon after being got out of the water. 
It has since transpired deceased was a Mrs Cook of Gt Waldingfield and had walked a dozen miles, it is believed the poor woman was suffering from some form of insanity.

April 24th 1886

Boxford. A shocking accident occurred on Saturday afternoon to a young labourer named Walter Holder of Groton
He was employed at Cook's Farm in occupation of the exors of the late Daniel Underwood, he was feeding a chaff cutter which was worked by steam when he was drawn into the machine, before it could be stopped part of his hand was cut cleanly off. 
Dr Reynolds of Boxford was sent for and the remains of his hand was amputated, the operation was a complete success.

March 22nd 1886

Inquest at Sudbury town hall on William Warner, labourer of Assington who met his death by falling out of a tree which was being cut down at Assington vicarage.
From some unexplained cause instead of falling where expected the tree came down with a crash in the vicarage grounds, the foeman called out for the men to run which they did but deceased was knocked down and his legs were pinned by two large branches.
He died in hospital in Sudbury, doctors found a trace of lung disease which caused fatal bleeding. 
Verdict accordingly.

June 5th 1886

The opening of the new Masonic Hall at Sudbury. Brother W.F.Jennings who is past master of the Stour Valley Lodge No. 1924 has erected a new commodious hall at Sudbury for the use of members of the Craft as well as the Royal Arch Chapter, the building is situate in North Street, one end facing Melford road.

June 5th 1886

Glemsford. At the Guildhall, London, George Hartley, dealer of Glemsford was summoned for sending bad meat to the Central Meat Company. £10 and three guineas costs.

June 12th 1886

Emma Theobald, wife of Clement Theobald, bricklayer of Melford was charged with assaulting Burgesse Wellam, factory hand of Melford. Defendant admitted the charge. Fined 1s with 7s costs.

June 12th 1886

William and Thomas Oakley, labourers of Cavendish, were charged with assaulting Ernasr Brown, labourer of Cavendish
Complainant said as he was leaving work the defendant's followed him a ¼ of a mile, beating him all the while, when they got to a stile leading to Trucketts farm they both assaulted him shamefully. 
William Parmenter was called and he staed he was returning home with the complainant when they met the defendant's while below Moore Hill, they tried to persuade complainant to fight then knocked him down. 
Thomas, 5s and William who did not appear, 7s 6d.

June 26th 1886

Fire broke out at a beerhouse on the Stoke road at Clare belonging to Messrs Greene and Son, brewers of Bury, in occupation of John Davey, it commenced in the thatch and a spark is supposed to have come from a traction engine which was passing by drawing what is known as "the sea on the land" which attends fairs etc, 
There was no fire lit in the house, the wind was strong and what help there was at hand only succeeded in a rescuing a little bedding and furniture, all the beers and stouts which had only been unloaded a few hours before were completely destroyed.

June 26th 1886

Cardinall's Lamb and stock sale took place on Monday last on Angel meadow, Sudbury, 1,733 animals were presented as follows-60 black faced from Mr Mumford of Stoke made 18s-30 from Mr Orbell, 18s 6d 3d-30 from Mr Wagstaff, 17s 6d-56 from Mr Hills of Waldingfield, 21s-21 from Mr Munson, 24s-20 from Mr Crooks-1 tup from Mr Shoulder made 24s- 148 half breds from Thomas Alston of Stanstead Hall,26s 6d-50 from Mr Worters, 24s-50 from G.Nott of Pebmarsh, 35s 6d-180 black faced from Col Burke of the Aubries, 35s-134 from Mr Mudd, Siam Hall, Newton---80 cross black faced from Mr Walford of Brundon Hall, 28s-40 from Mr D. Brand, 27s-100 wethers from Charles Lord of Acton Hall,27s-50 half bred from Mr E.Turpin of Middleton Hall, 32s 6d-412 from Mr J.Grover of Chilton Grove-50 half bred from Mr Stunt of Belchamp Walter, 54s-80 half bred from Mr Podd of Assington.

June 26th 1886

County Court. John Suttle, woodman of Glemsford v Rawlinson, farmer. 
Claim for £1 10s for timber tops and £8 10s for wrongfully locking the gates and putting plaintiff's timber into the river. His Honour said he would only give a verdict for the amount of 10s as there was not a scrap of evidence apart from that. In June the defendant locked the gates and told plaintiff's men he would not have that black faced-----about the place.

August 7th 1886

On Friday afternoon 40 bullocks the property of Mr J.Mower of Gt Cornard were turned out early in the morning to feed a field of red clover, but strange to say within a ½ an hour all became blown, luckily their state was observed and means promptly resorted to, in spite of that six beasts had to be slaughtered which were worth £5 each.

August 14th 1886

Cricket. England v Australia. There was a large gathering at Kensington Oval on Thursday when a match between England and Australia commenced, the home side went into bat shortly before noon, during the day they put on 279 runs for the loss of two wickets, Mr W.G. Grace making 170 of the total, Scotton made 34 and Shrewsbury made 42 not out, Read was 30 not out.

August 28th 1886

For sale at Lt Yeldham by Messrs E.Bentall under the will of Josiah Barker, deceased. Freehold Inn known as the Horseshoes with blacksmith's shop, garden ground, stables, skittle ground, piggeries, fowl house. This is the only public house in the village also two freehold cottages in occupation of Alfred Pearson and widow Wade. Value of rental is estimated at £7 10s. Also a freehold cottage in two tenements in occupation of Charles Mitson and Robert Clayden at a rental of £6 13s. All the property is in the centre of the village near the church.

August 28th 1886

A serious accident happened at Cavendish to a little child of George Andrewes of Wales End, the little one strayed into a field where some cart horses were feeding one of which kicked the child who is now progressing well.

August 28th 1886

Inquest at Rodbridge House, Melford on Saturday afternoon in to the death of William Mills of Rodbridge House who committed suicide early the previous morning by taking a strong dose of strychnine. 
It will be seen from evidence adduced that deceased like many other leading agriculturalists had sustained serious losses through the depression in trade and farming and being of a sensitive disposition he brooded a great deal over his financial position.
On Thursday he attended Sudbury market and seemed better and arranged to thresh some of his corn the following day as advised, early next morning his son heard him make frightful noises, he went into his bedroom and found him in great agony, he told him he had taken strychnine, the doctor was sent for but before he arrived he was dead, 
He was 49 years of age. Temporary insanity.

October 2nd 1886

Advert. To Horsemen. Wanted by Michaelmas in the neighbourhood of Walsham Le Willows. A steady man to see to four horses, plough etc, to live in part of the farmhouse, the master occupying the other part, good character required. Apply to Mr Copping of Lavenham, Suffolk.

October 2nd 1886

Inquest at the Swann Inn, Lavenham, on the death of Mr Partridge of Wood House, Lavenham. 
William Durrant, coachman, said 
'Yesterday afternoon he left home on horse back and went towards Shimpling, about 20 minutes later the horse came galloping home without it's master, the near side stirrup was missing, I got on the horse to try and find him but could not, I afterwards left on foot to try and find him and did find him in a ditch on Lodge farm, he was sitting up in a leaning position on the brow of the ditch with his hand and handkerchief on his left ear, I asked him if I could do anything for him, he merely replied "hum", I made a further search and found that he had jumped a ditch around 50 yards from where I found my master, he seemed to have been galloping, I think he lost control, there was blood on the ground where he fell, I think he must have walked to where I found him.'
Jonathon Reeve, farm bailiff, said 
'I saw deceased riding on Mr Hitchcocks Park farm in the direction of Lodge farm'
 Accidental death. Deceased was 54 years old and a magistrate
The following is an account of the funeral. The mortal remains of Anthony William Partridge, J.P. were followed to the grave at Shimpling church on Wednesday where there were a considerable number of friends assembled in and around the church.

October 2nd 1886

Two labourers were summoned at Thingoe Magistrates last week for being drunk and disorderly on the highway at Rattlesden, it was the old story of men spending a wet afternoon boosing together and getting into trouble later and the entire immunity of the parties who after the men were drunk more beer was supplied to them men though drunk to work them up to a pitch of challenging everyone to fight and enjoy the excitement of them knocking their women-kind about
I we want a parallel for the Southern States planter who did not call his country a free country because its laws did not allow him to "whop his own niggers".

October 16th 1886

County Court. Joseph Sillitoe, dealer and beerhouse keeper of Borley v J.S.Gardiner, farmer of Borley. 
There was a claim for 8s 6d the balance of expenses of the sale of a donkey which strayed on to the plaintiff's premises and was impounded, there was a counter claim for 20s. 
On Sunday morning 27th of June, a donkey belonging to Mr Gardiner, whose premises adjoin those of the plaintiff's strayed from the green on to Sillitoe's premises and was impounded by him and 1s was demanded for trespass and notice was given that if it was not taken away it would be fed and another 1s would be paid the next day, several days after defendant had notice that the donkey would be advertised and sold if not removed and costs were to be paid, 
After 18 days the donkey was sold for 15s less 1s for commission, 18s 6d would be charged for food and there was a balance of 3s 6d which was subject of the present action. 
The plaintiff was nonsuited and the counter claim was declared debarred in law. No costs were allowed. 
(Sillitoe lived in where the off-licence was on Borley green there had previously been trouble between them when Gardiner's sheep invaded Sillitoe's garden).

October 2nd 1886

Died at Bunbury, West Australia. Charles Rose the second son of the late R.Rose esq formerly of Stanton Hall, Suffolk.

November 6th 1886

On Friday night, Mr W.H.Smith the Secretary for War, formerly opened the new premises of the Conservative working men's club at Sudbury.

November 27th 1886

Clare Churchyard. Dr Hoffman from the Home Office has visited Clare to inspect the churchyard and has made a report to the Secretary of State as to the advisability of continuing burials there as there is room only for two or three more internments without disturbing the old ground which has been used many times over.

November 27th 1886

At Melford Petty Sessions, Clement Theobald a builder of Melford was charged with being the father of the illegitimate child of Emma Welham, single woman of Melford. The Bench made an order for 2s 6d a week to be paid until the child is 13 years old.

November 27th 1886

Died at Sudbury Union Workhouse, Benjamin King, butcher of Melford aged 56 years.

December 11th 1886

Mark Lane Corn Prices. Wheat averaged 31s 1d-Barley averaged 27s 6d-Oats to 17s 7d.

January 1st 1887

Died. Coote-on the 21st ult, Murial Ruth the youngest child of Robert Coote of Withindale Mill, Long Melford aged 11 months.

January 1st 1887

The unusual occurrence of forbidding the banns took place at Cavendish church last Sunday, no sooner had the Curate invited those who had any just cause or impediment to declare it, there was a female voice in a firm and distinct tone "I forbid the banns" 
She was asked to state her objection in the vestry after the service and it is understood that her impediment was so well founded that the rector is considering whether the wedding should be allowed to take place.

January 15th 1887

Mr and Mrs Bradnam aged 83 and 87 the respected post master and mistress of Glemsford both of whom in the last few days have entered into their rest were buried on Friday afternoon in the presence of a large concourse of spectators, upwards of 50 people joined the cortege.

February 5th 1887

Died at Nether Hall, Cavendish, Matilda, relict of the late Ambrose Smith aged 91 years.

February 5th 1887

Mr Frederick Branwhite of Melford has just received from his son, Vernon Harry, a silver medal which was presented to the latter for having taken part in the Soudan war (more particulary perhaps in the battle of Suakit) by her Majesty's government, he being a volunteer of the new South Wales Artillery, the medal was kindly brought home to Mr Branwhite by the request of his son by Capt Harry Bracey who is in command of the ship Amoy which arrived from Australia a few days since.

February 12th 1887

Glemsford. We are glad to hear that the outbreak of measles in Glemsford is now subsiding having raged for three moths with fatal results to many families, the complaint is generally confined to the younger part of the population, in one house four children and three in another have been lying dead at one time.

February 12th 1887

Haverhill. During the past week some skeletons in good preservation have been unearthed on a field belonging to Mr D. Gurteen at Shudy Camps, a large number of persons have visited the site.

February 12th 1887

We are sorry to hear that a Lavenham family went down with the Kapunda, Frederick Burroughs, harness maker and son of Samuel Burroughs, plumber and glazier of Lavenham who have lived in Lavenham for over 20 years and was on his way out to Australia with his wife and a young child, he was induced to emigrate by his wife's friends in Australia, great sympathy is felt in Lavenham for their great loss in this terrible disaster.

February 19th 1887

Died at Milden, Suffolk on the 7th inst, Ellen, wife of Walter Griggs aged 23 years.

March 5th 1887

Died at Lavenham. Mary Lott, widow of Mark Lott, gold digger aged 60 years.

March 5th 1887

Clare. On Friday morning what is known as the "goose croft" bread was given away at the church, 504 loaves were distributed to the poor, this half yearly gift arises from rental of a field known as the goose croft and is now let as allotments at £2 an acre.

March 5th 1887

Whepstead. Through the kindness of the Marquis of Bristol the labourers of this parish have been granted allotments, a portion of a field has been staked out for the purpose, his Lordship's kindness is greatly appreciated by the villagers who have readily availed themselves of the offer.

March 5th 1887

Sudbury. George Cardinall has within the last few days collected shillings and sixpences from his acquaintances the sum of 20s 6d for that faithful fellow George Ball who recently wheeled the corpse of a young woman from London to Great Horksley to fulfil a promise he made to her on her death bed that she should be buried in the churchyard of her native village, he having no money to send the coffin by rail.

March 12th 1887

The Cock public house at Glemsford, a Free-hold Inn and Brewery with yards-paddocks-gardens in an area of 1 ½ acres, situated in Egermont street, Glemsford was sold at the Four Swans, Sudbury for £1,050 it was purchased by Joseph Copsey of Glemsford.

March 19th 1887

Clare. There was a meeting of Clare cricket club, Mr F.C.Wayman was elected captain with Mr T. Mitson as deputy, there was a balance of £3 in hand.

April 29th 1887

Ther was a meeting in the old schoolroom at Glemsford to take into consideration of commemorating the Jubilee year by the erection of a public hall, there was a fair attendance of working men but most of the influential villagers were conspicuous by their absence. Mr W. Byford was called to the chair but he declined, ultimately Mr Cook was voted in, 
The Rev Coldham said it was good idea but he could not see with the present depression where the necessary funds coming from, a committee of five gentlemen were elected to see who will be wiling to give funds towards the objective.

April 30th 1887

Cavendish. Alfred Maxim aged 10 years, George Wordley, 9, Thomas Mason, 10, were charged with setting fire to a straw stack worth £23 the property of Charles Mortlock and a horse shed the property of James Purdy of Cavendish, P.C.Tuthill said he heard about the fire and went to the spot and heard the three little boys had been stone picking on Mortlock's farm. The prosecutor said he was unwilling to press the charges.

May 14th 1887

Clare. A detatchment of the 13th Hussars numbering 40 men and horses were quartered in the town on Saturday, they attended Divine Service on Sunday and took their departure en route to Manchester on Monday morning.

May 21st 1887

Visit to St Margaret's Gardens, Haverhill who have a large display of children's bedding, the gardens are spacious and are in close proximity of the new church.

May 28th 1887

Queen's Jubilee at Foxearth. At a meeting of the parishioners on Monday evening it was decided to give aged persons as well as the young a dinner, several farmers have resolved upon private distribution of meat, the new bells of the church will be dedicated on the same occasion.

June 11th 1887

A letter carrier from Hartest to Hawkedon, a man named George Sturgeon was found drowned on Thursday afternoon, it appears he was delivering letters in the morning and was to lead a dog to Hartest, it is supposed when near a pond the dog trying to get away pulled Sturgeon into the pond.

June 18th 1887

Hawkedon. Inquest last Saturday at the Queen Inn at Hawkedon on the body of George Sturgeon aged 35 years who was found drowned last week.
Elijah Webb, farmer of Hawkedon said he knew deceased who was a postman of Hartest, on Thursday last he heard he was missing and he went to a pond in Long Field which was occupied by Messrs Hale, there is a private footpath from Mr Oakes to the village, witness tied a rake to a long pole and found the body in 7 feet of water about 4 yards from the side of the pond, there was no sign of a struggle, his postbag was still on him, deceased was almost blind and he thought he left the footpath and walked into the pond, not seeing it and pulled by the dog he had with him into the pond, the footpath would be a direct way for him to go home to Hartest. 
William Hawkins, coachman to the Rev Oakes, said deceased walked past every day and he saw him leading a dog, deceased knew the pond well. 
Accidental Drowning.

June 18th 1887

Cavendish. The great Jubilee question in the village of Cavendish appears to be whether or not the great old English sport of hunting the greasy pig shall be allowed to stand as part of the programme, a letter from a member of the committee says that though this pig hunting business bears a stamp of antiquity it is hardly the kind of thing to fall in with present ideas of sport, another letter this week is not accompanied by an name so we cannot insert it but we see that the greasy pig is to become the property of the person who seizes it fairly by the ear or tail or both, only one person at a time can attempt to catch it. 
The programme includes "egg in the spoon" and "spoon in the mouth" race for women in an obstacle race, we think the committee are sailing close to the wind in introducing events where there is a risk of displays of vulgarity, the greasy pig business differs from all the other events as being open to suspicion of cruelty as well as vulgarity.

June 18th 1887

We hear two Glemsford men are in custody and will be brought before Melford Bench this Monday for an assault at Cavendish Fair where there was something of a "free fight".

July 2nd 1887

Wickhambrook. We report this week on the death of a well known drover who attended all the local markets and fairs etc in the district, he was well known as "old Jack Rowling," increased age and infirmity had kept the poor old man at home for some months, he breathed his last on Wednesday morning last.

July 2nd 1887

Sarjent Eldred of Stoke next Clare was charged with threatening to "knock out the brains" of George Harmer and to "screw his neck" and "double him up". The dispute arose out of a swing being erected on a path common to all the occupiers of several cottages, Eldred cut down the posts and used threatening language. 
Bound over in the sum of £10 to keep the peace for 6 months.

July 2nd 1887

Advert. Melford. A resident correspondent is required for Bury Free Press for Melford, anyone who is in the position to know general news of the town and will send to us information of what is taking place.

July 2nd 1887

Death at Glemsford of the Rev G. Coldham. On Sunday evening after a brief illness in his 84th year.

July 9th 1878

7. Hammond Spencer, mat-maker of Sudbury was summoned for using threatening language to Joseph Lawrence the town scavenger on the 5th inst. To keep the peace for 6 months and 2s 6d costs.

July 9th 1887

John Honeywood, labourer of Glemsford was charged with stealing a live pig from William Byford of Court farm, the pig was missed from the Byford's premises and traced to the prisoner's premises. 9 months hard labour..

July 30th 1887

Boxted. There was an inquest at Park farm, Boxted on the death of Albert Britton aged 14 years, a page at Boxted Hall. 
Albert Pugh, aged 16 said deceased helped him water some flower beds until 8 that evening, then they parted company at the bridge where deceased would go over which would be about 20 yards from the spot where the deceased was found.
 Walter Cutmore, a bricklayer from Hartest said at about 9 on Friday morning he was standing by the river which runs past Boxted Hall when he observed what appeared to be a body at the bottom of the stream, he fetched a rod and raised the body which was fully dressed. 
Abraham Seeley, coachman, said that on Monday last he cut deceased's hair, deceased remarked that he suffered a great deal with his head, deceased had a good deal of scurf on his head about an 1/8th of an inch thick, he said he would remove it after he had cut his hair but deceased said it pained him and not to do so. 
Accidental Drowning.

July 30th 1887

Hundon. There being £11 left over from the Jubilee celebrations it was decided to sink a well and a have a pump on the top on the lower road by permission of Mr O.S. Wear, the work commenced on Wednesday.

August 6th 1887

On Tuesday evening the bell ringers of Foxearth including some from Clare, Melford and Walter Belchamp, sat down to a well spread table at the Foxearth rectory after which they repaired to the church tower and rang a merry peal by the following-C.Sillitoe of Sudbury, single treble-G.Maxim of Foxearth, 2nd-F.Wells of Glemsford 3rd-O.Garwood of Glemsford 4th-J.Lee of Foxearth, 5th-R.Mingay, Foxearth, 6th-G.Maxim of Cavendish, 7th-D.Ward of Foxearth, first tenor.

August 13th 1887

Cricket. Melford v Sudbury. The match was played on Mr Fisher's meadow at Melford and resulted in a decisive victory for the home side by 138 runs. Sudbury 58 and 22. Melford 196.

August 13th 1887

About three weeks ago a dealer on his way to Diss Market lost a pig out of his cart, it went into a field of wheat belonging to Mr O.Gedny, he tried to recover it but failed and so it remained until Friday when some men cutting the wheat unearthed it, it had become so wild that it gave the men a long chase before they captured it, it had eaten and destroyed a good deal of wheat.

August 13th 1887

On Saturday morning two goats the property of Mr Ager of Clare strayed onto the line from the Bailey at Clare when the 8-45 train passed it killed both the goats.

August 20th 1887

Frederick Boughen of Cavendish was charged with stealing a sitting of 11duck eggs and a hen from the premises of Mr A.P. Viall of Colts Hall at Cavendish. 
Mary Ann, wife of James Perry, said she lived at Cavendish Lodge farm belonging to Mr Viall, on March 29th she had under her charge a hen sitting on 11 duck eggs, on the following morning she missed the hen and eggs, she informed Mr Viall,
On the 29th of April she saw the hen and ducklings at defendant's property, she could not swear to them but she could the hen. P.C.Tuthill said on the 29th of April accompanied by Mrs Perry he visited the prisoner's premises, he cautioned him and a warrant was obtained but the prisoner absconded, 
William Murkin, labourer of Poslingford said he saw the prisoner near the Lodge farm on the 29th of March. The prisoner said he was guilty but was with two other men and having a bad character was sent to prison for two months hard labour.

September 10th 1887

On Monday morning a brewers van belonging to Messrs Greene King of Bury St Edmunds stopped at the Globe Inn at Clare for the purpose of unloading beer, the van was loaded with 6 barrels of beer on one side and there being a slight incline just as the man was about to unload the van it tipped over and the horses bolted.
The man being nimble managed to get hold of the reins and stop them just in front of the Cock Inn, fortunately no other damage was done beyond a few hoops being knocked off the casks which caused a little leakage.

September 17th 1887

Brook Hines and Ralph Andrews, lads of Melford were charged with playing cricket on a meadow and causing damage of 1d, Mr Westropp, farmer, said things had come to such a pass that one might as well be in Ireland,. The defendants were detained in custody until the rising of the court.

September 24th 1887

William Edgeley, commonly called "fiddler Will" an elderly man from Wickhambrook was returning home on Monday evening rather the worse for drink when by some means he got in a pond close by his house and would no doubt have lost his life if a man named Bertie Marrow had not heard him shout and he went into the water and held his head up until more assistance came.

October 15th 1887

Sudbury. On Saturday afternoon a lad named Smith, son of the carrier of Walter Belchamp met with an unfortunate accident, he was riding with his father in Friars street, Sudbury, when opposite the Mayor's residence he slipped and fell violently to the ground and a wheel passed over him. 
He was speedily conveyed to St Leonards hospital when on Monday morning it was deemed necessary to amputate the limb below the knee joint.

October 22nd 1887

Died on the 12th inst in Sudbury workhouse, Lydia Martin of Belchamp St Pauls. Aged 64 years.

November 12th 1887

A warrior in the shape of an old charger belonging to Lord Napier of Magoala was presented by his Lordship to Mr Gordon Miller of Cavendish Hall, it arrived at Clare station on Saturday last looking for his great age as if it was about to enter into a campaign instead of having to pass through so many, he was all through the Magdala war and the Indian sun has more than once shone on his glossy coat, we are sorry he is not gifted with the power of speech, if so we could chronicle some interesting adventures of his Lordship's charming locality destined for him to end his peaceful days in one of the prettiest parts in the whole of Suffolk.

November 19th 1887

John Angel aged 15 years was charged with stabbing Edward Clarry with a knife on the 22nd of October, the prisoner said he was in the Bull public house at Cavendish when he heard some-one talking about him. 
The prosecutor who is the ostler at the Bull said he told the prisoner if he did not conduct himself properly he would put him out, a struggle ensued and he found he had a wound on his left leg, about 1 ½ inches long. 
Not guilty.

December 17th 1887

It is with great regret we announce the death of Lieut Hyde Parker, the eldest son of Sir William Hyde Parker of Melford Hall, the sad event took place at Melford Hall on Sunday morning, it was not unexpected inasmuch as for some days past his life was despaired of, about four months ago when serving with his regiment in Dublin he was attacked by the typhoid fever.