June 13th 1899

Bury Grain Market-Wheat 26s a quarter. Oats 23s.
Ipswich Produce Market-Fowls-5s 6d-6s 6d per pair. Eggs 1s for 18.
Butter-1s 5d a pound. Potatoes-Canary-3d per pound. Jersey-3d. Spring Cabbage-2d each. Broccoli-1d-6d a pound. Colchester Market-Beef 4s-4s 6d per 8lb stone?-Mutton-5s 4d-6s. Lamb-6s-6s 8d.

June 13th 1899

Robert Shelley a Sudbury labourer was sent to gaol for 7 days for sleeping in straw at Ballingdon brickworks.

June 20th 1899

A special train following the 2-50 passenger train ran into the gates at Offord's crossing at Cavendish. The gatekeeper was at work in his garden and did not notice the train until it nearly on top of him, he managed to open one gate but the other one was smashed.

July 18th 1899

A fire broke out in a shed containing 7 carts at Shimpling Bush, all were destroyed. Mr Fish the landlord said there was £ 150 worth of damage.

July 25th 1899

Mr Cundy of Sudbury and Mr McGregor the head gardener for Col Barnardiston judged the allotments at Cavendish. Prize winners were-10 poles and over-J.Mortlock-A.Thompson. Over 20 poles R.Maxim- A.Watkinson-W.Brown. 10 poles and under-W.Everett-R.Maxim.

July 25th 1899

Mr W.G.Jarvis the builder from Clare has been honoured by being enrolled as a member of the Academic Parisienne des Inventeure for his patent fixing bricks which are stated to be a valuable invention for the building trade.

August 15th 1899

On Sunday week, Alice Bareham, a laundry woman of Chilton Street, Clare, committed suicide by drowning herself in a well.
Temporary insanity.

August 3rd 1899

On Tuesday afternoon a gentleman and two ladies were driving through Cavendish when they met with an accident. It appears that the driver wanted to turn into the Glemsford Lane by Blacklands Hall and the horse would rather not, the result was that it made for S.Hale's window which protrudes and faces the Chapel and the phaeton came in collision with the stud work. The horse was taken out and put up at the Railway Hotel, the party then proceeded by train.

August 22nd 1899

Four stacks of hay and stover on the premises of William Bigg at Burtons Farm, Melford, were destroyed by fire. The fire was discovered by a man at Foxearth who saw the flames from a distance.
The cause was over heating.

October 31st 1899

James Hickford a cow keeper of Clare, was charged with selling adulterated milk. James Hickford junior said he was employed by his father who kept a cow, he told him to take out milk for sale and sold a pint to Supt.Bardwell who split it into three bottles and sent one Mr Sutton the public analyst who certified the milk contained eight parts of added water. 2s 6d with 10s costs.

November 7th 1899

Capt.Digby of Clare Priory, aged 34 years has died, he was one of a few officers who was called upon to fire on his own country men, he was in command of a detachment of corps of the South Staffordshire regiment during riots at Lord Mashams's Yorkshire colliery in 1883 when three men were killed.

January 9th 1900

Preaching on the war, the Rector of the village of Stansted, the Rev. G.Valentine said it would be well if they stand still and see what progress had been made, referring to the way which the Sabbath was spent the preacher said what about our soldiers abroad, they play polo, cricket and other games on the Sabbath which is a great sin and would bring disaster, our soldiers are being shot down by the thousands and a great many more would fall if they did not honour the Lord, extra troops had been sent out to Africa to retrieve the situation but they had met with disaster. Very clever men had been sent out but they would do no good if they did not honour God, as to the letters sent home that he had read, not a single reference was made to God or a humbling of themselves but simply money. It has been said that in England money is their God.

January 16th 1900

Mr Henry Richold, a Melford man in Cape Town, writes, war might be glorious but it is a fearful time out here for most commercial people who are suffering badly owing to no trade and many who a few years ago could count in thousands will have to start again. Mr Richold is the son of Peter Richold of the Hare Inn at Melford.

February 20th 1900

The recent sale of the estate in Cavendish revives reminiscences of the ancient family of Cavendish of whom the Duke of Devonshire is head. The house of Cavendish takes it's name from the Suffolk village. Houghton Hall and Blacklands Hall with their broad acres which were submitted for sale by auction, once they belonged the Cavendishes, the latter is a ancient and historical well presented Manor, once the seat of an illustrious family, a more ancient residence is Over Hall, Sir William Cavendish being the first to live there.

February 27th 1890

There was an inquest at the Town Hall at Sudbury on the body of Arthur Gibbons, a milkman aged 33 years, employed by the executors of the late Mr Walford of Brundon Hall. His death occurred by drowning when he drove his horse and cart through the river at Brundon and was carried away by the stream on Saturday evening, his body was discovered next day 500 yards from where the accident occurred. A fund has been opened for the widow and two children.

March 6th 1890

A footman, Leslie Wood, aged 22 years, from Clare Priory was charged at Hove Court with obtaining money by false pretences pretending it was for General French's forces in South Africa and converting it to his own use, clothing valued at £ 14 and other articles valued at £ 6 were collected. Remanded.

April 24th 1890

At Melford Petty Sessions, Frank and Henry Woodgate, Frederick Westgate, George Allen, James Pleasant, William and Robert Finch and Joseph and George Nice were summoned by Charles Bear of Acton, their employer, under the Employers and Workman Act. Mr Bear said they had been employed threshing and he gave them 4d a day for beer. On Wednesday he found one of the men had been away for 3/4 of an hour fetching beer from Waldingfield, he told them he would not allow that, at the breakfast time Robert Finch came to the house and said " what about beer money" I replied" same as always", Finch said unless they have 6d a day they would not do any more threshing. Winess did not agree, the defendants then took their jackets and walked off. The next morning they came at 6 and wanted to know what they should do, he told them it was now in the solicitors hands. Case withdrawn.

May 22nd 1900

When a gun was being examined at Chadacre Hall, the person handling it having no idea it was loaded, it suddenly exploded, hitting James Unglass a 17 year old groom, a small bullet entered the lower side of his body injuring him but not a serious injury.

July 2nd 1900

John Maxim a Cavendish man was killed in London when he got crushed between two vehicles, Maxim who was a carter had left Cavendish to work in London, his father is George Maxim a plate layer of Cavendish.

August 14th 1900

There was an inquest at the Crown Inn at Glemsford on Sidney Harris a pianoforte maker who was on a visit to Glemsford. Henry Brown a gamekeeper to Mr Nixey of London said deceased was visiting his house as he was enganged to his niece. Witness and deceased went for a walk at about a quarter to four, they were on Lord Walshingham's land at Cavendish, deceased said " can I take your gun uncle", on leaving the field they had to get through a ditch 3ft deep and a fence, before getting over the ditch he said to deceased when I get through hand me the gun, witness did not tell which way to hand it through, the the gun went off, deceased staggered about and he found him shot in the stomach. Accidental Death.
The jury expressed the opinion that Brown should be censured for the way the gun was passed through.

August 14th 1900

There was a property sale at the Rose and Crown in Sudbury. Blacklands Hall at Cavendish, 429 acres, withdrawn at £ 7000.
Brickworks at Cavendish, 8 acres, to Mr Fay for £ 400. Ducks Hall, Cavendish 146 acres, withdrawn at £ 1300. Leys Farm, Cavendish and Gelmsford, 88acres, withdrawn at £ 600. Peacocks Farm, 23 acres, Cavendish, withdrawn at £ 600. 3 cottages, thatched, at Cavendish with 2 acres, withdrawn at £ 180. Kimsing Wood at Cavendish, 17 acres, withdrawn.
Swans Hall at Cavendish, Hawkedon and Boxted, 179 acres, to Mr Morley for £ 900.

August 21st 1900

The Daily Mail says Charles Orbell had much money, lived in a mansion in Suffolk and hunted with hounds, he lost his money and his position and for some years now has assisted horsekeepers in Shoreditch. At the inquest on Charles Orbell aged 65 years who died in Shoreditch Infirmary, Susanah Shalders said she had known the deceased for 25 years, he was formerly of good position, kept hunters and rode to the hounds in Suffolk and moved in good company, he gradually descended the social scale and was glad to get a job in the stables. He has a brother who lives in Long Melford. Alfred Marshall said his stables were at King John's Court in Islinglton, on Saturday deceased asked to be allowed to sleep in the straw in the stables as he had no money, witness took pity on him, on Sunday morning when he unlocked the doors he found deceased lying unconcious about two foot behind a horse. Doctor Norton said the injuries were consistent with a horse rolling on him, he had several broken ribs. Accidental death. (In the 1851 census there was a Charles Orbell aged 15 years living with his parents at Brook Hall, Foxearth.)

September 4th 1900

A report issued on agricultural wages in the U.K.
says in Suffolk a good deal of lamb money was paid ranging from £ 10 to £ 15 even up to £ 20. Average earnings including value of allowances for 1898 were £ 1-9d paid in Durham. Norfolk and Dorset 14s 9d. Oxford 14s 8d. Suffolk 14s 5d.

September 18th 1900

The report of murder of Miss A.Eldred, a missionary in Shan-si province in China has reached her parents, Mr and Mrs Eldred of Girling Villas in Sudbury.

October 2nd 1900

Sale of live an dead stock at Otten Hall, Belchamp, Otten. 18 horses-1 young cow-22 swine-150 poultry-carriages.dairy and brewing equipment, house-hold furniture.

October 16th 1900

George Rampling, landlord of the White Horse in Sudbury was charged with selling whisky under proof. The county analyst said it was 13 degrees under proof. £ 2 with 7s costs. Joseph Gooch, landlord of the Green Dragon in Sudbury was charged with selling brandy under proof. £ 1 with 7s costs.

October 16th 1900

Rueben Ringer a whitesmith and the well known Sudbury footballer was fined assaulting P.C.Pearce on the Market Hill, Sudbury, an offence with which he has been charged with several times. 14d.

January 1st 1901

Herbert Sewell aged 12 years was charged with wantonly knocking on doors at Melford. To pay the cost of 7s.

February 5th 1901

Bury Market. Wheat red-28s 6d, white at 29-30s. Barley 25-30s. Oats 19s.

March 11th 1901

A shock discovery was made on the railway line at Sudbury early on Sunday morning by James Sargent who was going to work at Mr Allen's maltings when he discovered a body which was horribly mutilated with the head and legs severed from the body, it is supposed by a detached engine. A telegram addressed to Harry Warden of Bures was found on the body. Deceased was 34 years of age and living with his brother at Moat farm.

March 11th 1901

Sale at Blacklands Hall, Cavendish, by order of the trustees of the late Mr J.S.Garret. There were 750 lots in a lrge marquee at the entrance to the Hall, entrance by ticket only. The sale was over two days, 450 lots were sold on the first day. Splendid mahogany pieces made excellent prices-7 hall chairs, 18 guineas. Oak settee 10 guineas. Piano 27 guineas. China cabinet 7 guineas.

April 9th 1901

During the census at Sudbury some rather amusing stories are told by the enumerators. Two old ladies said we have put our ages correctly but don't tell anyone, one lady said " you brought the senses have you, it is time someone brought some sense into this house". One lady refused to accept the blue paper, thinking it was a summons, one timid old lady asked if there was anything to pay.

May 14th 1901

In view of the recent death of Abraham Hughes of Lavenham who was present at the bull baiting at Washmere Green in this parish in 1842, the last bull bait in England and was fined 10s for assisting thereat, we thought it might be interesting to republish the account of the prosecution which appeared in the Bury Post on November 23rd 1842 and give the full details below. In all twelve persons were fined, some of them heavily and several went to prison in default of payment. By way of " righting a wrong", we suppose, the penalties and costs amounting to £ 43, were presented to Lavenham school.
Note-:(There follows an account which is to be found in these notes for 1842)(G.H.) The following season in 1843 (November 5th always being the date) it was announced that a bull would be baited on the Market Place, the old and original ground, this apparent defiance of the authorities drew a large company of visitors and alert members, who found on their arrival the bull tethered by a rope to the ring, quietly feeding on hay which constituted the " bait".
In a subsequent issue of the Bury Post appeared the following letter.
To the Editor. Sir.- A few days since, being at Lavenham, my attention was directed to the front of a gentleman's house which besmeared in a conspicious manner in various places with black wash, forming a striking contrast with the light colouring adjacent. On enquiring the cause I found that the bull baiters who had been fined or imprisoned for their brutal barbarity, so far from being ashamed of their conduct, had aquired such influence among the ignorant inhabitants that they made an effigy of the gentleman who lives in this house, with the intention of burning it publicly, but dreading an additional fine they dissected it in a low public house. On the morning of Friday the 2nd, before daylight, one of the cowardly ruffians threw a number of stones into one of the chamber windows windows and broke three of the panes of glass, this was the third time they have been broken-yet many say they will not give information against these ruffians even if they know who it is. The gentleman bears a most upright and benevolent character, the sole cause of the persecution is that he or one of his family is supected of giving information to the Society whose agent put the law in force against their brutality. The ears of the family are still saluted with the bellowing of the fellows who frequent the public house where the bull was taken. Is it possible that in the 19th century there cannot be found so many respectable inhabitants in the parish as will require a sufficient police force to be sent to put a stop to these disgraceful proceedings.
I am, Mr Editor, yours truly, " A traveller" To this was added an editorial note as follows.
It is lamentable to find this town in so benighted a state at the present day, amidst all the appliances for the light of the Gospel and the principles of common humanity. Advantage might be taken of the Act of the last Sessions to appoint an efficient police force, but we are more disposed to look to the influence of moral restraint than to the strong arm of the law, putting down these brutal and brutalizing practices.

June 4th 1901

There was an inquest on James Rising a labourer of Melford who cut his throat with a razor, Dr Pettitt said he dressed the wound and sent a conveyence to have him taken to hospital. Death was due to starvation consequent of cutting his throat, he was depressed owing to have to relinquish his work as horsekeeper. Temporary insanity.

June 4th 1901

The annual fair was held at Melford within the shadow of the finely restored church tower. There was a ready demand for good cart horses, one changing hands at £ 80 to go to Kent. Mr William Bantock of Preston Priory was the principal seller, selling 30 horses.

June 25th 1901

John Jillings a farmer of Lavenham was charged with assaulting Sarah Smith aged 38 years. Alfred Smith, her husband said they were jointly engaged as farm assistant and housekeeper to defendant who was a single man living at Hill House Farm, Lavenham. Sarah Smith said defendant had been away in the Yeomanry, on his return he had been behaving in a unseemly manner, complainant was in her bedroom when defendant came in, flung her on the bed and committed an assault, her husband who had been hiding under the bed, rushed out and said " I have got you". Discharged.

August 20th 1901

Five corn stacks belonging to Mr R.T.B.Payne of Borley Place were consume by fire on Monday, a number of men were working on the stacks, some of them being thatched. The fire was near Borley church but did not threaten the ancient edifice, the stacks which were the produce of 9 acres were allowed to burn out.

August 27th 1901

Ashen Hall Estate (114 acres)was withdrawn at £ 2400 during a property sale at the Half Moon at Clare. Simpsons Farm and Pannels Ash (211 acres) at Pentlow was sold to Mr W.S.Orbell for £ 2900.

September 3rd 1901

At Clare Brewster Sessions, Supt.Bardwell said there were 55 full licences 24 beerhouses and 5 grocers, one beerhouse had been convicted for harbouring a constable while on duty, most were conducted satisfactorily but he must bring to notice complaints in the shape playing tambourines, dancing, jumping about and the use of coarse language which must be stopped. The matter of waggoners blocking the highway outside public houses and causing a nuisance was also mentioned.

October 8th 1991

There was an inquest at the Crown and Anchor Inn at Lavenham on the body of an unknown child which was found wrapped up in a brown paper parcel in a ditch. Charles Brooke from Melford said he was a groom and was at work in a field called " money hole" field for Mr Wright, he saw a brown paper parcel in a ditch and showed it to a man named Sam Moore who said " dont say anything about it". Not sufficient evidence to show it had been alive owing to decomposition.

November 26th 1901

Mr F.Cady of Ford Hall at Melford came to Melford 50 years ago, all of this time he has worshipped at Melford Congregational Chapel, one of his daughters married Mr C.W.Byford of Clare.

January 14th 1902

Charles Norman aged 62 years was charged with stealing two bags of Californian barley from a barge valued at £ 2, the property of Messrs Allen at Bures St Mary and William Elliston aged 32 years a malster and William Brightwell aged 70 were charged with receiving the barley knowing it to have been stolen at Sudbury and Gt Cornard. The prosecution said Messrs Allen were malsters and merchants and owners of barges plying from Mistley. On each barge there is a foreman and a horse driver, when a vessel arrives at Harwich for Allen's, the cargo is unloaded into a lighter being transhipped again at Mistley into Allen's barges from where deliveries are made to customers. On December 4th a barge belonging to Allen's left Mistley with 550 bags of barley to be delivered to Messrs Gough, malsters at Bures, the barley was shipped from San Francisco in bags. Norman started from Mistley with 520 bags, counted on by one of Allen's foremen named Lumley. 515 bags were unloaded at Messrs Gough's, before the shortage was reported Norman had gone up river, he should have went straight to Sudbury but on this day he stopped at Great Cornard where Norman went to the King's Head at Cornard, the licencee was Brightwell's wife, he told the horse driver he was going for a drink. Before he left his barge at Sudbury, he sent a message to Mr Rule to hire a horse and cart, a constable was watching and he saw Brightwell drive into Sudbury and return with two bags of barley, three others were found in Elliston's shed. A man named Stebbing kept tally at Bures for Messrs Gould, he counted 515 bags off not 520.
Jackaman the horse driver said before Norman left his barge at Sudbury he got witness to help him get a bag of wood into a boat. The case for the prosecution was supported by Alfred Lumley, a sworn corn and coal meter of Mistley also by Arthur Stebbing a malster employed by Messrs Gough, by James Hunt, foreman for Mesrs Gough, William Robins, granary man, by Jackaman the horse driver, by Charles Rule of Great Cornard, by Percy Allen, son of the prosecutor, by P.C.Reeve of Sudbury and by P.C.Soanes of Great Cornard. Mr F.R.Francis a corn merchant gave Elliston a good character. Norman and Elliston 4 months hard labour, Brightwell to do 4 months in the second division.

February 18th 1902

On Shrove Tuesday the old established horse fair took place at Lavenham in the High Street, there were many visitors from distant places but many horses were left unsold. The town thronged with visitors and many horses were transported by rail to far off places.

March 25th 1902

On Sunday week as Mr D.Crick was attending his stock at Glemsford he noticed a man sitting on the banks of the Seldom Waver pond (situated near his house) with his feet in the water, on going to the man he found it was William Hartley a fishmonger who when he knew he was noticed plunged into the water but Mr Crick pulled him out. He was removed to the County Asylum.

June 17th 1902

For sale at the Rose and Crown Hotel, Sudbury. Cuckoo Tye Farm by directions of the trustees of the late Lord John Hervey, deceased. 117 acres sold to Mr Steed for Mr Charles Coote of Ballingdon for £ 2025.

July 29th 1902

There was an inquest at the Angel Inn at Bures St Mary on the body of Elsie Pilgrim aged 65 landlady of the Angel. Basil Pilgrim said he had assisted deceased for 15 years and that he had found her partly clothed body lying on the club room floor with her throat cut and a razor lying nearby. She had a relative in the asylum and another who had tried to commit suicide. Temporary insanity.

July 29th 1902

Robert Crouch of Station Road, Melford, was summoned for brewing beer without a licence. Mr J.Armstrong of the Inland Revenue said he visited defendant's premises and he produced a private brewers licence but it had been ascertained he had brewed for three or four other people, he admitted that he received between 3s and 4s 6d a day for brewing. £ 5.

July 29th 1902

General Walter Kitchener entertained abpout 40 guests at the George Hotel, Cavendish, after dinner the gallant General interested his guests with a graphic description of the late campaign, noticeable in his 30 minute speech was his praise for the Private soldier who scorned the dangers of war, he spoke also on his friendship with the Boer leaders. Amongst the guests were the Rev Wilson, Dr Waring, T.E.Ambrose, C.Hammond, W.Byford, S.J.Garret, H.Clark, E.Ambrose, Mr Keall and Mr Fordham.

October 28th 1902

Harry Hamilton, a conjurer and Rupert Paxtons a comedian of Hornsey were charged with stealing a silver watch from Arthur Wells an assistant at the Cock Inn at Lavenham when they lodged there. Insufficient evidence. Discharged.

November 11th 1902

Red wheat at Bury-27s. Barley-24s-30s. Fat beasts- to £ 30 a head. North country store steers, 15-18 months, up to £ 10-7s 6d.
Sheep-a few hoggets up to 38s. Fat pigs-7s for a 14lb stone.

November 11th 1902

John Shinn a 48 year old labourer of Somerton was charged with setting fire to a straw stack to the value of £ 16 the property of Joseph Leach at Somerton. 8 months hard labour.