January 24th 1888

The work of lighting Melford street with gas has been accomplished.

January 24th 1888

The fire brigade was called to Mr Butchers brewery in Ballingdon, it was a false alarm.

January 24th 1888

We understand that Mr Byford of Glemsford has sold two Suffolk stallions to be shipped to the United States.

March 13th 1888

National average corn prices. Wheat 30s 6d per quarter- Barley 29s 7d-Oats 15s 10d.

March 13th 1888

Glimpses of the past. February 20th 1811. A member of the London hoaxing club has been busy in Sudbury. A few nights ago a surgeon and a veterinary were called out to attend a person in immediate danger and to sick animals which were 5-6 miles away. In both cases they aroused people from their beds asking about the patients and were answered somewhat peevishly that there was nothing wrong then closed the lattice and slipped back into the feathers again.

March 20th 1888

Much amusement was caused in Clare when Mr T.Orbell agreed to purchase a donkey from Mr Colin Ager at 2© d a pound. It was found to weigh 244lbs and made £ 2 10s 10d.

March 20th 1888

Thomas Bruty of Clare, aged 40 years left his house at 3 in the afternoon to go 3/4 of a mile to his allotment, not returning by the morning his wife went to look for him and found him lying in a straw stack near his allotment. It appears he was taken ill and laid down on the stack and died. He worked at Church Farm.

April 24th 1888

William Martin of Glemsford was charged with assaulting James Boreham. Complainant said he was going home up Crown Hill at Glemsford on the night April 11th at 11 o'clock when he met Martin who then knocked him down saying that's for 8 or 9 years ago. Dismissed.

April 24th 1888

Josiah Brown a horse slaughterer and dealer of Glemsford was charged with sending bad mutton to London. Fined £ 20 and £ 2 2s costs, in default 2 months hard labour. The prisoner was removed into custody.

May 8th 1888

The mat makers strike at Glemsford which has lasted for a fortnight has collapsed suddenly. The strike at Holdsworth and Coe's was for a new foreman, an attempt was made to set the factory alight when a lighted paper was thrown through the window, the police are investigating.

May 15th 1888

Glimpses of the past. December 11th 1811. Mr Emanuel Felix Agar, the member for Sudbury has arrived in the town. He distributed 150 blankets and a quantity of stockings to the poor.
Died at Long Melford-Sir Harry Parker of Melford Hall aged 74. He was High Sheriff of Suffolk in 1803. Dr Ord has informed the Quarter Sessions that since the new prison has been built at Bury in 1804 the number of prisoners has decreased, there were 221 in 1804 last year there were 135.

May 22nd 1888

Sale at the Plough Inn at Glemsford when the Prince of Wales at Churchgate was knocked down to the Greene King company for £ 820, there were no bids for other property which included a malting.

June 5th 1888

An accident occurred on the river Stour at Sudbury near Messrs Allen's brickworks. A young man named Alfred Fulcher in employ of Messrs Allen, and who's duty it was to ferry the workmen who lived in Sudbury across the river in a punt. At dinner time, shortly before two he set out for the brickyards in his punt to meet men returning to work from their dinner, the men saw the empty punt floating down the river and the lad's cap was in the river, the men obtained a creeping iron from the railway station and drew the body from the river, it was found under a barge moored near the Reach. It is supposed that the when he was bringing the ferry back across the punt came in contact with a barge and the lad fell out, the boat held 12 men, he was not paid to do the work but had been doing it for two years. Found drowned.

July 3rd 1888

There was an inquest at the Brook Inn, Little Cornard, on the body of William Turner aged 61. William Pilgrim a horseman in the employ of Mr A.Mumford said deceased was an engine driver of a steam threshing machine, on Monday afternoon witness and the deceased went with a horse each to Mr G.Mumford's farm to get a straw elevator and a waggon, when returning and going down a little hill which was rather slippery, he turned round and saw deceased having difficulty with his horse, he stopped when he could and went back to help him and found the breechings had come off the shafts and he could not stop, he saw deceased throw himself into the hedge to escape the wheels of th elevator but the fore wheel went over his leg and threw him back under the rear wheel.
Accidental death. Deceased was well known in the neighbourhood as his house was used as the vaccination station for the district. He left a widow and seven children most of whom are grown up.

July 10th 1888

The cottager's show at Glemsford will take place this year in a meadow belonging to Mr W.Oakley, it is usually held in the Rectory grounds but there was to be no intoxicating drinks sold this year. The committee could not agree to this so it was decide to hold it elsewhere.

July 17th 1888

On Thursday an serious accident befel a man named David Rowe in the employ of Mr F.Byford at Goldingham Hall, Bulmer. The unfortunate man was attending a cutter when the machine caught hold of his left arm severely lacerated it, he was taken to St Leonard's Hospital at Sudbury and the linb was amputated above the elbow. He is progressing favourably.

July 24th 1888

The 2nd annual foal show is to take place at Wickhambrook, the entries are limited to yearlings and foals by Auctioneer who Mr Quilter has placed at the disposal of community.

July 31st 1888

The new organ at Clare will be opened on August 2nd by Mr W.Pinney who is the organist at St Georges, Hanover Square.

August 7th 1888

A detachment of about 50 men of the 3rd Battallion of the Bedfordshire Volunteers under command of Col.Green who is the brother of the Rector of St Gregory's church camped at the Croft in Sudbury. They were en route for Colchester, the tents and baggage were conveyed in dreys drawn by 18 horses which with the other horses used as mounts amounted to 29 horses in all. The tents were pitched in a circle on the upper part of the Croft, the cook house being near the river.
August 14th 188. On Monday evening as a waggon carrying 3© tons of sacks was passing along the Chilton road near the White Hart at Clare a young man named Samuel Basham aged 20 in the employ of Mr Dennis attempted to mount the waggon, he clutched at a sack but failed to grasp it and fell on the road, the wheels passed over his chest and he was killed immediately. Accidental death.

August 14th 1888

Charles Lefley, junior, a fishmonger of Station road, Sudbury, was charged with assaulting William Butcher, a dealer from Assington. Complainant said he was in Mr Mauldon's refreshment booth on Friars meadow when defendant struck him several times. 10s and 11s costs.

August 21st 1888

At the sale at Gestingthorpe, 2 valuable fields situated near North End facing the highway at the junction of the roads leading from Little Yeldham to Belchamp, Tuckland Farm 44 acres was bought by Mr A.Finch of Gestingthorpe for £ 580. The Fox beerhouse situated on the Edwardstone-Great Waldingfield road in occupation of Mr Arbon was sold to the Greene King company.

August 21st 1888

As Mr Weston of the Black Boy hotel in Sudbury was driving with his man down Ballingdon hill, his horse was frightened by some pigs which had escaped from the King's Head and were running about the road squealing, they frightened the horse so much that it jumped the hedge throwing the occupants out.

August 28th 1888

At the Melford licencing sessions all the licences were renewed except Glemsford Black Lion where Supt.Bardwell objected.
It was suggested that a transfer of licence would be submitted before the next court. James Game the landlord of the Black Lion, Glemsford was charged with keeping open a booth for the sale of intoxicating liquor on the show day on the 31st. Permission was granted until 8 pm but the limit was disregarded. Mr Bates said defendant was totally unfit to hold a licence as he was suffering from softening of the brain. £ 5 with 12s 6d costs.

August 28th 1888

George Perry a labourer of Cavendish pleaded guilty to assaulting Alfred Pratt Viall of Colts Hall, Cavendish. Complainant said that defendant worked for him as a milkman and that they had an altercation and the accused who was drunk struck him in the face. Four of his daughters pulled him away or he would have taken the law into his own hands. 5s with 2s costs.

September 18th 1888

At an inquest on Frederick Rogers aged 5 years 8 months the foreman of the jury of wished to express a wish that all rifle practice should be carried out in the open with a solid background. An application was made for the return of ammunition and a rifle to Mr Hills. Referred to the petty sessions.

October 2nd 1888

William Good, late a police constable, of Glemsford, was charged with abusing Robert Ward a Police Sergeant of Glemsford while in the execution of his duty. Sergeant Ward said that in company of P.C.Ranson they were passing Pearman's stables at 11-30 at night when he heard someone in the yard and he told the P.C.to show his light in there when defendant shouted " I dont want the light I am not a thief, I dont associate with thieves and poachers like you do, and I shall report you to Capt.Bence", witness said he replied " you had better be careful what you say as I will report you to Scotland Yard,(defendant being a superannuated London police officer)he directed the constable to show his light round Pearman's premises, afterwards defendant came to him and said " what have you got against me", he then held up his fist and said " I dont associate with thieves and poachers like you and I can prove it". Defendant said for the last 12 years he had been abused by Ward who had threatened to have his pension taken away. To keep the peace for 3 months in the surety of £ 10.

October 2nd 1888

John Angell a labourer of Cavendish was charged with stealing a fowl from Mr Alfred Coldham of Cavendish. The prosecutor said he heard a someone in his yard at 8pm, he placed himself so that he could see anyone coming out of the yard, he observed defendant with a hen, defendant said " I have found a hen", witness then said " I will take the hen and you too", the hen had had it's neck was broken and it was warm.
Defendant said " if you dont let me go I will kick your ---- brains out" Witness said I then sent for the police. 21 days hard labour.

October 9th 1888

The marriage of Miss Mary Gardiner, the third daughter of the well known Mr J.S.Gardiner of the Lodge, Borley, took place at Borley Church to Mr Joseph William Bowyer of Church Farm, Clare. There was a large gathering of both high and low from the neighbourhood, the church being filled as a wedding is somewhat a rarity in this retired Hamlet. The building is not in such good repair as it is in the hands of the workmen who are making necessary repairs which include renovation of the roof, cleaning and decorating the walls. The old plaster nave ceiling has made room for a domed waggon roof of matchboard and the outer woodwork and tiling is being completely overhauled. The church is often visited by antiquarians and heralds on account of the well preserved memorials of the past to the family Waldegrave. The bride arrived followed by her maids of honour who were, Miss Gardiner, Miss K.Gardiner, Miss G.Gardiner, Miss Bowyer, Miss Goodchild, Miss M.G.Gardiner and Miss A.Gardiner. Mr Scott was the best man. The bride was dressed in white cord silk draped with Brussel's lace with a flowing tulle veil and sprays of orange blossom in her hair. Each bridesmaid carried a crook prettily ornamented with flowers and ribbon streamers, the maids were attired in costumes of blue and tan with figured muslin blue sashes and large tan hats trimmed to match. The ceremony was by the rector the Rev H.D.E.Bull, Mr Simkin played the harmonium as the organ has been removed during repairs. The registers having been signed, the company proceeded down the carpeted path to the carriages which were waitng at the principal gate. An excellent breakfast was provided at the Lodge, the bride cake being an elaborate trophy supplied by Mr Buzzard of Oxford Street. The weather was everything to be desired.

October 9th 1888

The custom of harvest home celebrations instituted by th Rev J.Foster in 1855 when he had been the incumbent at Foxearth for 10 years was held at Foxearth on Thursday. The sermon was preached by the Rev Harry Bull, late of South Shields. The dinner was served in long booths in the rectory grounds. In addition to the labourers there were 120 guests of Mr and Mrs Foster. The rector remarked in reply to toasts of his and his wife's health which was proposed in eulogistic terms by Col Palmer of Liston Hall, the rector remarked that he had been rector for 44 years and had held harvest home celebrations for 33 years and that his old friend Mr Eagle had been present at everyone. Mr Portway of Sudbury provided the brilliant lamps to light the large marquees.

October 9th 1888

The transfer of the licence of the Black Lion, Glemsford was applied for, from James Game to Mary Ann Game. Mr Bates said that Mr Game had a mental disorder and Mrs Game had carried the licence herself practically. Granted.
Licence of the Hardwicke House, Glemsford, from Robert Crossman to Frederick Beeton.

October 9th 1888

Charles Chatters, Labourer from Glemsford was charged with being on premises of Mr W.S.Goodchild with intent. Mr Goodchild's foreman found defendant lying under a manger in the bullock yard. 6 weeks hard labour.

November 6th 1888

Charles Adams, Frederick Parmenter, labourers of Cavendish were charged with assaulting Walter, Charles and Herbert Glasscock. Charles Glasscock said that he was with his two sons and George Wells in Cavendish street at about 10 o' clock when they met defendants who said to them " you ----you come from the Moors, they followed then through the churchyard where they assaulted them. George Wells said he was in the Bull that night when one of the defendants struck him in the face, the defendants were drunk. Adams 10s 11s 6d costs and Parmenter 28s 3d with 23s 3d costs.

November 13th 1888

The soup kitchen at Sudbury will reopen on the 21st the distribution of dinners will be on Wednesday's and Saturday's to poor children at 1 o'clock. 1d tickets will entitle each child to a basin of soup with a slice of bread to be eaten in the kitchen. 4d tickets will provide a full quarter pound of cooked meat with vegetables and a piece of baked pudding, not to be taken home. A two penny ticket will provide a quantity of good soup and a dumpling to be taken home.

January 8th 1889

A party of 8 in number were skating on a pond at Burton's farm, Melford, on Saturday afternoon when the ice broke and the party received a cold ducking in 4ft of water.

January 22nd 1889

The first interment in the new cemetery at Clare took place on Tuesday.

February 19th 1889

The Mat and Matting Workers Society dinner took place at the Scuthcher's club room on Monday night, 60 members sat down.
Mr P.Bixby catered in a satifactory manner.

March 19th 1889

The Coopers Arms in North Street, Sudbury, licnece to transferred from Henry Ambrose to John Shepherd of Melford.

March 26th 1889

Frederick Jennings a builder of Subury committed suicide, his builders yard is in Price Street-Gainsborough road, the office is nearly opposite the Temperance Hotel which is the headquarters of Stour Valley Masonic Lodge. A pistol was found near the body.

April 2nd 1889

During the week two fine otters were caught in the river Stour between Bures and Sudbury by two bargemen, William Newell and Charles Norman junior. One of the otters weighed 22© lbs the other 20lb.
They are now on view at the Angel Hotel, one of the otters has since died.

April 9th 1889

The burial ground at Melford is now full. A piece of Kentwell Park has been bought by the parish to add to the churchyard for £ 150.

April 22nd 1889

Am uncomfortable accident occurred near the old Tollgate in Melford road on Tuesday. A woman named Munson went to the well for a pail of water when she overbalanced and fell to the bottom which is 40ft deep, the water is 11ft deep. Her cries attracted children to the well and they rushed away and told neighbours and two workmen who came to the rescue. Mrs Munson had hold of the bucket and wound the chain round her arm, with difficulty she was wound up having only had a shaking and a fright.

April 30th 1889

Poachers Beware - There was an inquest at Brandon on Robert Thompson who died from sucking an egg which had been poisoned.
Thompson and another man had gone egging, finding two eggs the men one of the men sucked his the other threw his down saying it was rotten. The eggs had been poisoned by the gamekeeper to control vermin. The doctor said he deceased had died from strychinia poisoning.

March 7th 1889

Edward Brett a travelling barber and a native of Diss was charged with attempting to murder a young woman, Emily Heard, aged 21 years, at Glemsford. Brett had been living in Glemsford for about 9 months and had made the aquaintance of Heard last Tuesday, she appears to have no fixed abode. She met Brett in the Cock Inn at Glemsfordand accompanied him home. On Monday morning she awoke to find Brett's hands around her neck and he had inflicted a large cut to her neck, she escaped and rushed over to the bed of a lodger, the lodger thought that only a quarrel had taken place. Henry Bigg a mat weaver of Glemsford said that he lodged at defendant's house, there was only one bedroom where we all slept. He saw prosecutrix for the first time at the Cock Inn, he was asleep when the woman was brought into the bedroom, when he awoke he told defendant that he ought to be ashamed bringing her to the same room as others, he said the poor little dear had nowhwere to go, the prisoner had been drinking heavily. The prisoner was then also charged with attempting suicide. Committed for trial.

June $th 1889

Corn averages. Wheat 20s - Barley 21s 2d - Oats 18s 1d.

June 4th 1889

At the football dinner at Melford, the Rev C.Westropp said that a cricket ground could be obtained at Acton Park and Mr Fisher had made a substancial amount of money available to promote the club.

July 2nd 1889

On Saturday week, Mr T.P.Brand of Foxearth had his horse and trap standing in the yard of the Rose and Crown at Sudbury, Col.Burke was waiting to have his horse put in when he offered to mind Mr Brand's horse for him. The animal then started off, through the archway, turned to the right round the East end of the St.Peter's church, galloped up North street and down Melford road at a smart pace to Rodbridge to where the old turnpike stood, it then turned into Mr Byford's yard and came to a standstill. During the gallop the horse carefully steered clear of everything which came it's way, once running onto the footpath to avoid a waggon, at times the reins were hanging loose at it's heels.

July 23rd 1889

Sale at the Rose and Crown, Sudbury. Sheepcote farm at Henny to Mr Barnardiston for £ 1440. Cobbs farm, Alphampstone to Mr Edmund Cook of Gt.Henny for £ 1300. Brights farm, Lavenham to Thomas Baker for £ 1300. Brundon water mill to Mr Good of Brundon for £ 800.

August 27th 1889

Memorials past. August 10th 1730. Lost in Lavenham Swan parlour-a long green purse with two pieces of broad gold, © guinea, and one guinea. Whoever brings same to Joseph Harrington, a mercer in Lavenham shall have a half guinea reward with no questions asked.

September 10th 1889

Submitted for auction at the Rose and Crown, Sudbury. Eyston Hall, Waits Farm and other properties in Belchamp Walter and Otten. Lot 1 - Eyston Hall - a handsome manorial residence surrounded by ornamental plantations and grounds, park with timber, agricultural buildings, 104 acres 1 rod 15 perches. Lot 2 - land of 48 acres and 45 acres. Bidding started at £ 3000 and went up to £ 5000 there being several persons bidding, the hammer fell to Mr John Leigh of Southport, Lancashire, in addition the sum of £ 281 12s was paid for growing timber. Borley Common, pasture land, 1 acre 30 perchs to Mr Orlando Payne for £ 16. Waits Farm - Capital farmhouse near the village and an offhand farm and premises, six cottages and 208 acres 3 rods 30 perches to Mr Samuel St Clare Raymond for £ 2200 of Belchamp Hall. Land at Belchamp Otten near Stettles farm, 4 acres 3r to Mr George Pratt for £ 55. Farm buildings and 19 acres at Northwood to Mr Raymond for £ 105.
Withindale Mill on the river Stour at Melford - 3 pairs of stones, machinery valued at £ 391, family residence adjoining, sheds premises, 13 acres of grass and arable land, frontage of 500 ft to the railway station to Mr Frederick Branwhite for £ 1000. Land near mill withdrawn at £ 65.

September 10th 1889

A new pulpit which was presented by the relatives of the late Mrs Bull was used for the first time in Pentlow church on Sunday. It is handsomely carved in English oak, sexagonal in shape with open panels standing on a stem, the monogram " C.B." is in the ornamental presentation.

September 24th 1889

Memorials Past. The first time newspaper advertisement was used is in the " Impartail Intelligence" published in 1648, just 241 years ago. It was inserted by a gentleman from Cavendish in Suffolk and refers to the theft of two horses. After this notifications were few and far between for seventy years until the London Gazette appeared.

October 22nd 1889

At the annual tea of Sudbury cricket club, the chairman said that steps had ben taken to find a new ground, Mr Andrewes hadf offered his meadow in Friars Street at a rental of £ 36.

December 3rd 1889

Frederick Parmenter of Cavendish was charged with stealing a silver watch and chain the property of Levi Sawens of Belchamp St Pauls who said he was in Cavendish Bull when he offered to sell the watch to a man named Alefounder, the prisoner was present and he snatched the watch from Alefounder and made off. He afterwards saw the prisoner in the Railway Tavern and demanded the watch which was refused.
P.C.Tuthill said he recovered the watch with some difficulty. Committed for trial.

December 17th 1889

Memorials of the past- 1776

A main of cocks will be fought between Suffolk and Essex at Sudbury Rose and Crown on Monday and Tuesday the 13th and 14th of May next. Mr Hayward respectfully sends his compliments to the neighbourhood and hopes for their favor and company on both days.

December 31st 1889

Memorials of the past. August 10th 1776. Notice is hearby given that the Suffolk side of Ballingdon Bridge will be ripped up on the 12th of August being greatly out of repair and will be impassable for carriages and horses for six weeks. N.B. The passage for carts and horses will be across the common-to enter at the gate near the pound opposits Sudbury water mill and one about the middle of Ballingdon street.

December 31st 1889

The hiring sessions and the retaining of servants will be held at the Black Lyon Inn on Melford green on Tuesday 24th of September 1890.