January 7th 1903

Death of Mrs Branwhite of Moat Farm Gestingthorpe, she will be sadly missed by the parish.

January 7th 1903

Sudbury Town Council. Mr Mattingly said he had applied for the figures from the Census on the ammount of children in Sudbury between the age of 5-15, there had been a reply from the authorities that there were 1478 in Sudbury.

January 7th 1903

Herbert Deeks a labourer of Melford was charged with being drunk and disorderly in Gainsborough Street, Sudbury. P.C.Webb said he refused to leave and said he was going to hit a fat soldier and if he could not find him he would hit witness, he was badly cut about the face where he had been punched himself. John Seeley said there had been a club dinner that night at the Christopher Hotel. 2s 6d with 3s costs

January 21st 1903

The time for nominations for the Essex County Council vacancy has expired, the vacancy was caused by the death of Mr T.P.Brand of Foxearth. Only one nomination has been received, that was Mr Charles Brewster of Lt Maplestead.

January 21st 1903

Wheat at Ipswich Market to 29s and Barley to 30-36s- Oats to 20s.

February 4th 1903

At the annual meeting of the Hedingham Licencing Division at Castle Hedingham, the magistrates thought there were too many places to drink although they did not propose to withdraw any licences.
In Belchamp Otten they considered that there were too many beerhouses, also im Belchamp St Pauls, the same applied to Bulmer with too many off licences and at Little Yeldham which had two beerhouses and an off licence. The chairman suggested that the owners should meet in the next six months and communicate with the clerk. Mr Ward, Foxearth, asked if the Bench recognised compensation in any form (laughter), Mr Ward said that the Royal Commission was in favour of compensation.

February 4th 1903

Henry Hartley, a labourer from Glemsford was charged with being on land in occupation of Mr A.V.C.Lambert at Foxearth. Henry Dade, gamekeeper for Mrs Brand said he saw defendant walking across a field with another man. 5s with 4s 6d costs.

February 11th. 1903.

AN OLD SUDBURY BEER-HOUSE
Our obituary notices this week contains the name of WILLIAM RAYNER SILLITOE,landlord of the OLD SHIP AND STAR beerhouse,Friars Street,who died on Tuesday at the age of 62.
Deceased was born in the house in which he died,as was his mother before him. The house appears to have been in the family for about 100 years,having been carried on by the late landlord's father. It was licensed in 1836,when the new Beerhouse Act was passed,but previous to that was carried on under the existing law.
It was always famous for its beer,which was for a great many years brewed on the premises.
The floor of the old house is below that of the pavement,and at the back of the premises is what is termed the "papping ground". This was a large meadow near where the wool used to be hung out previous to its being woven into bunting. In those days the Admiralty would only fly flags in the navy which were hand woven,and nearly all this bunting was produced in Sudbury,mostly by the old weavers. It was afterwards sent to London,where it was cut up,dyed,and made into different flags. The Ship and Star as stated,was famed for its brew. The late Samuel Higgs,who was seven years Mayor of the Borough,for many years supplied malt to the house.
It was in this house that Dr.Roland Taylor,Rector of Hadleigh,who suffered Martyrdom On Aldham Common in 1555,last slept,while on his way from London to Hadleigh for execution.
A portion of the house is built on the wall of the old monastery which stood there in the days of yore,hence the name "Friars Street". Mr Sillitoe leaves a widow,(who,we understand will carry on the business) and a family of six.
The late landlord had been for a long number of years a member of the Forester's Court meeting at the Four Swans Hotel.

February 18th 1903

Frederick Neave a saddler and harness maker of Melford was knocked down and killed by th 11-20 train from Bury. Shortly after 11, Mr Neave was walking to Mr Laurence Parker with a saddle, turning up Hare Drift lane where there was some hare coursing on Mr Coe's land two fields away from the line which Mr Neave had to cross at the junction of Acton and Melford parishes, he was seen near the line by some platelayers who warned him that the a train was approaching, th driver whistled three times but could not stop in time, his body was hurled some distance and was beyond recognision. Suicide.

February 25th 1903

William Butcher was charged with using indecent language at Wickham St Pauls, he pleaded guilty. P.C.Livermore said he was standing outside the Victory Inn in Wickham St Pauls on the green when he heard Butcher making use of filthy language at about 12 midnight, there were only males present. The chairman said that filthy language is the language of the blackguard. 8s with 4s costs.
A Lad, Sidney Turp was charged with stealing tobacco and cigarettes from the Victory Inn at Wickham. The Bench made an order that he be sent to the training ship, the Cornwall Reformatory, at Purfleet until he was 19 years old.

March 4th 1903

Frank Ruggles of Tilbury and George Brown of Ovington were charged with stealing 4 rabbit traps from Herbert Way valued at 8s.
Way said he last saw them when he set them in the old gravel pit near Shave house, he missed them next morning, on February 13th he was ferreting in a ditch near Spains Hall and Tilbury Hall land when he found one on Mr Vaisey's land. Both to receive 4 strokes of the birch rod.

March 11th 1903

Bradfields Wood Foxearth. Sexton and Grimwade have received instructions from the executors of the late T.P.Brand to sell by auction 200 standing oaks with top bark of good quality and large dimensions also 5 Ash trees.

March 18th 1903

Early on Monday morning a fire broke out in a cottage at Cross End, Pebmarsh, owned and occupied by Mr James Latham, a cabinet maker. Mr Latham only arrived at Pebmarsh the previous Tuesday from Glasgow with his furniture, his wife and family had not taken up residence. He was awakened at about 2 o'clock when he saw the glow of the fire which was burning on the roof. Mr Latham threw a few clothes out of the window and with the aid of a few blankets he escaped in his night shirt. P.C.Burrows blew his whistle and Mr Dixey ran to help, with the aid of the fire brigade they worked hard to save the adjoining property. The origin of the fire is believed to have been a beam in the chimney alight. The property is partly covered by insurance.

April 1st 1903

George Martin a 40 year old labourer of Lt.Yeldham was charged with using obscene language. P.C.Charles Day of Belchamp St Pauls said he was on duty at 10-15 on the 13th 0f March when he heard a disturbance near Red House farm and recognised defendant's voice, he walked up the road and saw Martin with his brother in law named Smith and their wives, the two men went quiet when they saw him coming, Smith came towards me and said defendant who goes by the name of " Jack" was the worse for drink and making foul expressions. 2s with 4s costs.

April 27th 1903

Eliza Sillet the wife of George Sillet an engine driver of 43 Melford road, Sudbury, was summoned for using abusive language to Ellen Salter the wife of Henry Salter of Melford road. Complainant said at about 20 to 7 she was outside her house going to church when Mrs Sillet shouted " there goes the---saint again to church she had been insulted before by Mrs Sillet. 2s 6d with 9s costs. She shouted " shant pay it" either that or 7 days replied the Clerk.

April 27th 1903

Charles Malyon was charged with being drunk in charge of a waggon and horses on the Bures road. P.C.Brinkley said he had information that a man in charge of a waggon and horses was drunk at Mr Baker's mill at Cornard and Mr Baker sent for the police. Defendant said he was going alright when stopped by the police. 2s 6d-7s costs.

April 22nd 1903

As Charles Maxim a fowl dealer of Glemsford was coming up Skates Hill at Glemsford, he was run into by roller in charge of a 11 year old boy employed by Mr Archer, the boy had left the horse's head to ride on the roll when the horse was frightened and ran up the hill into Maxim's cart, hen coops were scattered about the road and the horse was flung onto the bank. With the aid of a man named Brown they extricated the horse and cart. Death at Glemsford of Mrs J.Everett who was the oldest person in Glemsford, she was born in 1809.

April 29th 1903

A man was found drowned at Glemsford at the rear of a farmhouse. William Scott was walking round the pond when he saw the hands and shoulders of a man above the level of the water, he called a man named Theobald and together they pulled the body out who proved to be a man named William Bradman aged 33, a dealer. He had been with others at the Prince of Wales pub, he left at closing time to go to his lodgings, his landlady went to see her sister, Mrs Bigg, of Place Farm to tell her he had not returned home. Verdict, not enough evidence to show why he was in the pond. May 20th 1903. John Young, licensed victualler of Glemsford was summoned for selling liquor to a drunk man, the unfortunate man was found drowned in a pond near the licensed premises the deceased's brother said he was drunk in Sudbury and fell out of the cart at the Prince of Wales, he urged him to go home but he said " no I shall go to the Prince of Wales". Henry Lanquid said he was the brother in law of the licence holder and was under his control and had served deceased 2d worth of gin, he had been in the gold fields of Western Australia, Kimberley in South Africa and Southern Rhodesia and had seen a lot of drunkeness and did not think deceased drunk. Insufficient evidence.

April 29th 1903

The funeral of Mr J.Pearsons of the Brewery and the Eight Bells was held at Belchamp Walter church. Mourners were A.S.Pearsons, Ollie Pearsons, D.Theobald, William Pearsons, John Pearsons, Dennis Pearsons, W.H.Hitchins, W.Gosling, Thomas Pearsons and C.Cornell. The four sons of the deceased followed the coffin, behind these came 40 employees who followed their late respected master who was born in 1826.

May 6th 1903

There was an accident at Foxearth brewery, a man named William Gowers of Glemsford was engaged in what is known as turning the beer, whilst doing so his apron got caught in a revolving shaft which runs through the room where he was working, he was drawn in to the moving machinery and spun round two or three times, fortunately his shirt and other clothes gave way and released the poor man who then fell several feet and was caught by a workmate before he hit the ground, he was seriously injured and was carried home in a horse and waggon, he is so badly swollen that Dr Waring cannot know the injuries. The facts are that the man's father in law is also lying dangerously ill at his son in law's house.

May 13th 1903

Two freehold cottages for sale at Borley near Bardfield Bridge, of brick and slate construction-6 rooms-4 others-large garden with well grown walnut tree-brick bakehouse with oven-brew and wash coppers-weatherboard pantiled pig and poultry houses-pump and well of water-situated by Belchamp Walter to Borley road. The small house is in occupation of James Felton. June 3rd.Two cottages at Borley were bought by Mr R.T.B.Payne for £ 105.
m May 20th 1903. Messrs Rattue and Kett, contractors, are now engaged in the final completion of the pinnacles on Melford church tower and hope to finish in June.

June 3rd 1903

There was an inquest at Glemsford Crown Hotel on the body of Annie Slater the infant daughter of Henry Slater of Fair Green.
Mahala Slater said that the body the jury had just viewed was that of daughter aged 5 months. On May 21st a perambulator in charge of her 7 year old son which he was wheeling on the path turned over. Mrs Brown a neighbour saw the child turn over near the kerb on to the side of the path, she ran out and picked the child up and brought it inside, it did not seem hurt. Mrs Slater said the child seemed well until about eight days later it began to swell up, she took the child to Dr Waring who put a linseed poultice on it. Dr Waring said the child had measles which was the main factor in the case. Accidental.

June 24th 1903

" Burroughes" now known as Copy farm situated near Wickham St Pauls Green for sale with 8 roomed house, 45 acres. It was bought by Mr Hardy who has adjoining property for £ 700.

June 24th 1903

Miss Emma Bear 62, late of Nether Hall, Gestingthorpe, threw herself out of a second floor window at Chilton House. The house belongs to Mrs Buckenham who runs a nursing home.
Suicide.

July 1st 1903

Two cottages on Ballingdon Hill were burnt down, they were let to a dealer named John Slender.

August 19th 1903

Harry Perry a labourer of Sudbury was charged with assaulting Mary Ann Sargent, 40, single, of Bulmer. Miss Sargent said she went for a walk on Bardfield Bridge road but only to the top of the hill, as she was returning home the prisoner overtook her and said " I wonder you are not afraid on your own", she replied " no", just as he was passing her she stopped and looked back, feeling a little nervous but was only about a quarter of a mile from home, prisoner then came back and threw her down and assaulted her, she screamed but did not tell her mother when she got home as they had visitors for tea. She next saw the prisoner at Sudbury Police station. Horace Woodgate, labourer of Sudbury said he saw the prisoner walking past quite fast near Brundon Hall on Sunday, he knew him but did not speak to him. P.C.Haynes said he went to the prisoner's house at Grimwoods Yard, prisoner said " yes I did it but I wont any more. To the Assizes.

August 26th 1903

At a meeting of the Common Land Trust at Sudbury, it was stated that Mr Berry had again turned his cattle on to Friars meadow as soon as the hay was carted, he had no right to as all grass grown after the first cut is the property of the Freemen and cowkeepers. The committee then discussed the appointment of a working bailiff, the idea was to appoint a man who could do hedging, carpentering, ditching, stanking and bridge mending etc. His salary to be £ 10 a year and 13s a week and to give his whole time to the work.

September 2nd 1903

On Tuesday night a messenger rode into Sudbury to say that a large stack of mixed hay was on fire at Henny in a field near Henny Street and belonging to Mr Sikes. The fire was noticed at about 10 o'clock and the Steward came for the Fire Brigade but it did not attend, the engine was got out but failure to find horses or the fact that it was outside the Borough was not made clear so the engine was put back in the shed. The stack was worth £ 150, it is not sure whether it was incendiarism or over heating that caused the fire.

September 2nd 1903

On Tuesday the wedding of the Rev George Bird of Bradwell in Derbyshire and Miss Frances Fisher the daughter of the late Rev Ruggles Fisher of Lyston took place in the pretty little Lyston church. The Chancel was wreathed and the road from the Rectory was gay with flowers and a picturesque arch, in spite of the showers there was a large gathering of parishioners and friends outside the church awaiting the bride.

September 9th 1903

There was a fire on the premises of Messrs Pannell of Gestingthorpe, a good deal of damage was done but the horses and pigs were let out but one pig was burnt to death.

September 16th 1903

Basil Allen of Grinstead Hall, Halstead was riding a cycle from Houghton Hall in Cavendish where his father farms to Halstead, when he met with an accident as he was riding down the steep drift from Houghton Hall to the road, his handle bars broke, throwing him into a wooden rail fence, he suffered concussion of the brain and severe lacerations to the temple and face.