January 6th 1904
The case of bankruptcy of Kipling and Son, silk weavers of Sudbury came before the Registrar, Mr Henry Goody. Died on December 7th at Manhatton, Kansas, U.S. -Albert Melton the 2nd son of Frederic Rands Melton of Fasbourn Hall, Buxall and the only surviving brother of Mrs R.Ennals of Stowmarket.
February 10th 1904
Advert. Small parcels of laundry can be left at Mr Parsonson’s basket making shop in Ballingdon for Miss Bentall of Gestingthorpe which will be called for on Thursday and sent back the following Thursday.
March 2nd 1904
On Thursday evening as Mr Abraham Cook, one of the Deacons of Glemsford Providence Chapel was entering the chapel for the purpose of procuring books prior to the evening service when he fell through a trap door which had accidentally been left open, his calls for help were heard by some worshipers, fortunately no bones were broken.
March 9th 1904
At Hedingham Petty Sessions the license of the Stone and Faggot beerhouse was transferred Arthur Smith who was formerly a butler at Bournemouth, Mr Miller said “I suppose you have seen the place where you are going”, “yes sir” was the reply. The chairman said the Stone and Faggot was a house where a good landlord was badly needed and hoped the applicant would do his best.
March 30th 1904
Rats which recently infested Braintree have move to Bocking, Mr James Savill who has a large farm in Bocking had had 5 young pigs and two goslings devoured by the rodents, he has also lost a good number of chickens. Mr Savill’s stockman explained that during the night when 13 pigs were born three were taken from under the sow, the stockman took the remains of the carcases and primed them with poison, he did not think there was an extraordinary number of rats but they are monsters in fact they were the size of young rabbits, those he had caught fell just a little under 2 lbs.
April 20th 1904
Letters to the Editor. Some time 12 months ago I endeavoured to ascertain how it was the people of Sudbury were unable to establish a golf club at Newton Green but without success, a further visit to this ideal delightful spot prompted me to make the inquiry again in the hope that some views may be obtained on the enterprise which would not only do good for the locality but a greater boon to local players and visitors. Yours truly An enthusiast.
March 4th 1904
Foxearth. Messrs Ward have again been favoured with a large order from Sir Thomas Lipton Ltd for the supply of their well known ales and stout for the large military encampment at Landguard Fort.
March 25th 1904
Death at Otten Belchamp of Mr W.C. Parmenter of Bevingdon House from affliction of the heart. Mr Parmenter who was in his 79 year was able to trace his ancestry in the neighbourhood over 200 years, he was a farmer of considerable acreage owning 5 to 6 hundred acres in Otten Belchamp.
June 18th 1904
Belchamp and Melford Rural District Councils invite tenders for the erection of a new bridge over the river Stour near Cavendish Mill. Sealed tenders endorsed “tenders for new bridge” to be delivered to H.C.Canham, Clerk to the Council.
June 29th 1904
There was a special meeting of the magistrates at Castle Hedingham to consider the case of Beatrice Butcher a domestic servant in the employ of Mr Hobart Hampden a gentleman residing at Lt Yeldham. The girl aged 15 years was charged with setting fire to the dwelling house of her master (her and other persons being therein at the time), the girl lives at Belchamp St Pauls, the prosecutor who lives at Red House Lt Yeldham said the girl had been in his employ for 3 weeks as a parlour maid, a portion of the house was lathe and plaster the rest was brick, on the previous Friday at about 3-30 he was in his dressing room when he detected the smell of paraffin and he asked his wife to go and see what was the matter, she returned and said she detected nothing, just then the cook came in and said the knife and boot room was on fire, on going there he saw the wall was on fire, he threw a bucket of water over it and hacked the wall through with a hatchet, he called for assistance to the some men working in the fields and with their help and of his wife and cook the fire was extinguished. He was present when the prisoner made a statement to the police, after being cautioned she made a statement to this effect, “I took an oil can and put it on the floor and set light to it, I waited till the fire was alight then I shut the door and went upstairs. Minnie Dawson said she was the cook and was present when the prisoner admitted she had set fire to the house. The girl had no questions to ask but asked not to tell her father or he would kill her. To the Assizes in November.
July 6th 1904
Sudbury. On Monday while some bullocks belonging to Mr Ruse were being driven by the old Market Place on e of them caught sight of a red blind at F.A.Alston’s shop window and made a rush for the objective, the plate glass window completely wrecked but emerging from the ruins was a sadder and wiser bullock
July 13th 1904
There was a sudden death on Wednesday afternoon at the Oak Inn in Sudbury, while George Pymar the ostler at the Oak was walking across the yard when he suddenly fell down , the police and doctor were called but he was pronounced dead.
July 13th 1904
Messrs Balls and Boardman will sell by auction at Haverhill on the meadow adjoining the G.E.R. station, 5,800 sheep and lambs.
August 31st 1904
The village of Preston was in a state of excitement on Monday morning by a report that a man named William Day aged 25 a labourer was found dead on the road at Hitcham on Sunday midnight with his head battered, rumour was soon busy and by nightfall suspicion fell on a policeman named Bunn of Hitcham, the facts are now very simple, Day and his brother went out on a drinking bout on Sunday and on their way home at night, just outside Bildeston they saw two policemen, one of whom (Bunn) chased them in order to ascertain his name, in a short time Day was lying bleeding and unconscious. The point is what happened to Day before he fell, P.C.Bunn said deceased made filthy expressions to him and he ran after him to take his name, he got within 30 yards when he saw him stagger and he fell on his face, he turned deceased over and undid his collar. Verdict died from concussion of the brain.
September 7th 1904
To be sold, live and dead stock of James Pearsons deceased, in Belchamp Walter and Belchamp Otten from Stettles farm, Springgate and Coles farm. 9 horses-portable steam engine by Ransomes- barn works—elevator, etc.
September 7th 1904
Amor Ambrose a baker of Melford was charged that stole a hen on September 1902 valued at 2s the property of Alfred Younger who said he kept fowls on his premises at Kentwell Hall gates. At about 8 in the morning of that date he met on the road to Kiln farm road Samuel Ford the keeper at Kentwell with a fowl in a trap, he recognised the fowl as his , Ford said he had taken it from Ambrose as he was coming out of a plantation, the prisoner then absconded, the Chairman said “where has the fowl been this last two years” the Inspector said it has been taken care of at Kentwell by my orders. Frederick Ford a gamekeeper of Kentwell gave evidence of finding the hen in a trap near Younger’s house. 14 days hard labour.
September 21st 1904
A shocking accident happened to a man at Gestingthorpe on Saturday evening, to a man named William Cansell, it appears that Mr Aubrey Chinery of this parish drove to Sudbury and put up at one of the hotels and by some means his horse got loose from the stables and made it’s way home, it was seen by Cansell near the Barracks at Gestingthorpe and it is thought he caught the horse and somehow got his feet tangled in the reins and he was dragged 300 yards, a man named Arthur Finch found him about 9 pm lying in a pool of blood with his face cut and one eye protruding from it’s socket, Finch placed the man on the green and went for assistance and when the men were endeavouring to get the injured man into the cart a party of men (if they may be termed men) drove past from North End, they refused to give assistance. The injured man is going on well as can be expected.
September 21st 1904
Died on the 21st of August at Wellington, New Zealand, Charles Bixby formerly of Long Melford after a long illness, aged 73.
October 12th 1904
Sudbury. To let a beer house called the Lamb and Flag, the premises have every convenience for carrying on business of pork butchering—stables-pens-slaughter house. Apply to Messrs Daniel, Castle Brewery, Colchester.
October 12th 1904
Lawshall. The sad death of Mrs Rose Long a young woman is reported aged 29, she lived in one of King William cottages on the Bury road, Lawshall, she is stated to have died from gastro enteritis resulting from drinking impure water, it is said the woman with other women obtained water from a chalk well, this well is situate close to a double closet (midden) which is common to all the tenants.
October 19th 1904
William Joslin a dealer of Batt Hall, Bulmer, was charged with stealing 14 fowls the property of Arthur Sayer a cab proprietor of Church Street, Sudbury. Remanded
October 19th 1904
Ann Smith aged 13, a domestic servant of Belchamp Walter was charged with stealing 3 books, 4 flower pots, 1 meat stand, all valued at 2s from Mr Harry Carder of Belchamp Walter who said he was a miller and farmer and employed defendant, on the 16th inst he expressed desire that defendant should open some parcels she had in her bed room ready to take home, she objected, Smith was not leaving but taking her washing home, among other articles mentioned were 60 walnuts, a spoon bottle and gold paint. Bound over.
November 2nd 1904
Joseph Tarbin in the employ of Charles Ray fell down dead at his work at Gages farm on Wednesday morning, he was 78 and had been suffering from heart disease.
November 16th 1904
Beatrice Butcher aged 16 a domestic servant pleaded guilty to setting fire to the dwelling house at Lt Yeldham, Mr Jones said defendant suffered with epilepsy for 10 years. Sentence to be announced.
November 23rd 1904
There was an inquest on Friday afternoon at Sudbury town hall on the death of an unnamed child of Maurice Scrivener a shepherd at Brundon Hall cottages. The jury walked to Brundon a distance of one mile to view the body. Mary Ann Scrivener a widow of Belchamp said she went to Brundon cottages on Monday last after the child was born, it seemed in good health, she slept with her daughter in law and baby, she got up at 5-30 and did not look at the child. Mrs Elizabeth Moss of Brundon said she saw the baby on Thursday morning lying beside it’s mother the child was warm but dead, in reply to the Chairman she said the child would have been better in a crib. Suffocated by overlying.
November 30th 1904
For twenty years or more Sudbury has had a soup kitchen which was originally established by some charitable burgesses at St Leonards hospital and it has grown and been supported to such an extent that the kitchen was transferred to Gaol Lane where the work has been increased, last year when 1200 dinners were served from December 9th to March 19th, the kitchen is managed by Miss E. Ransom and Miss E. M. Ransom, poor persons pay 1d for dinner and a ½d extra for soup, a 4d ticket provides a full ¼ lb of meat with vegetables and baked pudding.
December 7th 1904
With the advent of severe weather the soup kitchen at Clare has reopened at “Clifftons” the residence of Miss Jones and under the management of a committee of ladies, the supply proved very welcome.
December 7th 1904
Pentlow. A fire occurred at School Barn farm at the residence of Mr C.Twinn, at about 10 a straw stack was seen to be alight, the flames reached a tumbril and a ladder, this is very isolated farm and Mr Twinn was in bed , the origin is a mystery.
December 14th 1904
Sudbury. Boardman and Oliver held their first Christmas fat stock sale in the sale yard which they acquired during last year from Mr Henry Meeking. Judges were Mr T.F.Hawkins of Gt Cornard and Mr F. Sainsbury of Gt Wratting. ( Frank Sainsbury was the originator of Sainsbury chain)
December 14th 1904
A Poslingford labourer met his death on Thursday afternoon through falling off his horse, deceased was carting sprats with another man named W. Atkinson from Clare railway station, they were in the employ of Mr Franks of Poslingford, they came to Clare station with two horses and tumbrels, they stopped at the Royal Oak Inn in Clare and had one quart of beer between them, Atkinson said he went off before deceased, he did not look back but he heard them behind, he chanced to look behind and saw deceased standing in the road picking up his hat, he stopped his horse and went back and asked him if he was hurt, he replied “I will be alright in a few minutes”, he had blood running down his cheek. Dr Piggot said the man was brought to my surgery brought at about 3 on Thursday afternoon, I went out to examine him, he was dead, I examined his head and found he had a fractured skull. Accidental
December 14th 1904
Ernest Martin aged 22, a labourer of Gt Yeldham was charged with driving three horses and a waggon without proper control, P.C. Marden said he was on duty at Toppesfield when he saw defendant who was in charge of a waggon load of 100 trusses of clover hay the property of Mr W.Whitlock of Gt Yeldham, he was riding on the shafts and not in control as the reins were tied up. 5s with 4s costs.
December 14th 1904
Myra Rash aged 20, labourer of Bulmer was charged with being on land belonging to Col Burke in search of conies, A.Raymond, gamekeeper, said he was watching snares when he saw defendant take a rabbit out of a snare and put it in his pocket, he asked him for it, he said he had not got one, he put his hand in his pocket and took the rabbit from him. Colonel Barnardiston the Chairman of the bench said as it was his first time before the bench he would be fined 5s with 4s costs and advised him not to appear again, defendant ( emphatically) said “no I will see to that”.
January 4th 1905
On Wednesday morning at about 7-15 as Plate Layer Free of Stoke by Clare was walking the line at Stoke he found a body of a man lying beside the rails near the level crossing at the Ashen road, he found a scalp and a portion of a face with one eye which had been cut off and lay inside the line, the body was well dressed and letters on the body ascertained he was Mr F.J.Tatham, a native of Stoke.
January 11th 1905
Inspector Godbold of Sudbury reports a case of anthrax at Bullymores farm in Melford in occupation of Mr W.Biggs of Burtons farm. Cavendish. On Saturday evening the death suddenly occurred of Mrs Brett of Bunkers Hill, deceased was 80 years old and had gone to bed and called her daughter for something and fell back dead. No inquest.
February 1st 1905
On digging on the property of Mr French at Bridge Foot, Sudbury, by some workmen to erect a telephone post the men came across a large quantity of bullock horns in good condition, they were buried 6ft deep.
February 22nd 1905
After filling the post of steward at Sudbury Conservative Club at Sudbury for 19 years following 21 years service in the 70th Surrey and 2nd Welsh Regiments Mr John Morton has resigned his position as steward.
February 22nd 1905
Cornard. Jonathan Wakelin on Tuesday afternoon met with a nasty accident while trimming a wheel spoke at the King’s Head, the draw knife slipped and the blade severed a tendon on the knee cap, he is now in St Leonards hospital.
March 1st 1905
Football. Glemsford v Clare. The match ended in a 1-1 draw. Glemsford team---Cousins-goal Garwood, Brewester backs—Clarke, Byford and Jarmin half backs—Underwood and Boreham right wing-Watkinson—Chatters left wing—Halls centre. Clare team—Bareham goal—Ellis—Bareham backs—Wiffen, Hardy and Smith half backs—Goodchild, Linton right wing—Hardy centre forward—Mason and Mansfield left wing.
March 22nd 1905
Glemsford. On Tuesday morning fire was discovered on premises belonging to Mr B.Byford on the Lower road, by 11 o’clock 6 thatched cottages of lathe and plaster were burnt down with an adjacent barn which was entirely demolished, five of the houses were occupied and efforts by neighbours and passers-by to get the poor people’s furniture out was partially successful, the furniture rescued was stored at the Three Turns Inn and at Potash farm, a telegraph pole near Mr Byford’s house caught light and cartridges in Mr Byford’s house exploded, had the wind blown towards the railway more damage would have been done as the mat factory belonging to Mrs Smith were dangerously close.
March 29th 1905
Melford. Frederick Woodgate after an absence of 30 years has returned to Melford, not in flesh but as an embalmed corpse, he now reposes in one of the pretty cottages on Chapel green called Ivy Cottage. The history of this wanderer from his native village of Acton is that he began life in 1859 he entered the service of Mr Almack as stable boy and proved industrious and steady, on his master’s death he was left a legacy of £20, he went to Edinburgh as a footman and from there to America, nothing was heard of him for some considerable time but the Rev A.Leakey of Acton ascertained that in 1875 he enlisted in the U.S.A. army and held the rank of sergeant, as a reward for long service he was given a farm by the Government and from this small beginning he made his way up, while in the wild west a young lady from Acton, sister of the late John Smith, went out and became his wife by whom he had a daughter, about 16 years ago Mr and Mrs Woodgate visited their native place and in the autumn went back across “the herring pond”. Mr Woodgate intended to retire from the business of buying and selling farms but on February 25th at an early age of 46 he died from pneumonia at Fort Sam, Houston, San Antonio, Texas, it was resolved that his wish to be buried at Acton was honoured hence the embalment and thence to the cottage on Chapel Green which is occupied by Mrs James Smith who is a relative of the deceased. The burial was to have taken place on Saturday at Acton but Mr W.Palmer who is the undertaker found a double fee would be charged and that necessitated wiring America, Friday has now been fixed for the funeral.
April 5th 1905
Glemsford. Charles Watkinson, William Brewster, John Slater, William Pearman and Henry Wordley, labourers of Glemsford were charged with trespassing in search of conies on land occupied by William Stubley at Cavendish. Joseph Maxim, gamekeeper said he saw them beating a wood and he went in pursuit of them, Wordley struck at him twice but he dodged the blows, he informed them he would prosecute and Wordley threatened to “tingle his ears” when he caught them and they said they would let him know all about it if they caught him in Glemsford. Brewster and Slater 15s and 3s 6d costs each, Wordley 15s with 2s 6d costs, the others 10s each with 2s 6d costs.
April 5th 1905
Susannah Boreham a single woman of Lt Cornard was charged with stealing a loaf valued at 2 ¾d the property of Henry Gaskin, baker. £1 or 14 days.
April 12th 1905
Cavendish. From our correspondent. I believe as long ago as September last the Cavendish Parish Council appointed a committee to locate if possible the source of the most offensive smell which was evident during the hot weather, the Rural Council was asked to build a weir at the point where the old county river joins the new river so that all surplus water which hitherto has been regulated by the floodgates at Messrs Garrett and Co mill some 400 yards below the junction so that it might be turned to good account and made to flush the bed of the old river and take in it’s course the sewage of many drains. The District Council adopted these suggestions and drafted plans, the weir was built with a clear opening into the stream of 10ft wide over which all water beyond the high level at which the mill works come tumbling down, I prophesied it was always a risky procedure but anything to clear away the objectionable matter and the consequent stinks is warranted, on Sunday last the water was pouring over the concrete apron fully 3 inches deep and clear, by the time it reached it’s destination the same water was black. Monday rains added to the volume and water was rushing down the river where for years had been nothing but pools and or the most part stagnant, a rush of water cannot be expected in hot weather but the winter rains and high tides will clear the course, this weir when on paper looked like going a long way towards abatement of the nuisance.
May 3rd 1905
On Monday morning at about 11-30 fire broke out on the premises of Mrs Ford who keeps a general shop in Brook street, Glemsford, before it was subdued 5 other cottages and a small factory belonging to Mr John Byford was burned down. It is believed the cause was a spark from a chimney.
May 10th 1905
Several members of West Suffolk Automobile Club paid a visit to Sudbury on Tuesday afternoon, they had tea in the Rose and Crown Hotel, those present were The Rev O.B.Packard and party with a 9 hp Argyle, Mr H.Collis and party with a 8 hp Speedwell, Mr L.Hunt with a 4 ½ hp Pheonix Trino. The threatening weather deterred some members.
May 10th 1905
Inquest at Porthleven, Cornwall, on Edward Humm 33 late butler at Penrose, he was the son of George Humm, farm steward at Goldingham Hall, Bulmer. His body was found after being missing for a week, Capt. J.Rogers said he recovered the body when rowing on the lake. Accidental.
June 7th 1905
A girl named Wicks was attacked by anthrax while working in Messrs Lewison hair factory at Melford, it is supposed she conveyed the germ to a small elevation of the face, on arrival at St Leonards hospital an operation was performed and all traces of infection have disappeared.
July 28th 1905
At Cavendish Parish Meeting it was decided that the caretaker of the cemetry be allowed to leave of work at 4 on Saturdays. The clerk reported a collection of 11s 2d was collected from van owners during Cavendish fair time.
July 28th 1905
Death at Bulmer of Mrs Blacker aged 79, the wife of Mr M.M. Blacker of Goldingham Hall and lord of the Manor.
July 26th 1905
To be sold by tender by order of the morgagee, a pair of free hold cottages in New Street, Glemsford, with stables, piggery and large gardens comprising 2 roods 10 perches and occupied by Game and Copsey at rent of £13 18s.
August 2nd 1905
An unfortunate accident occurred on Tuesday night to a man named Ben Gardiner who is employed at Borley Mill, he was in the vicinity of the level crossing at Rodbridge with a big brown dog, the animal got on one side of the line and essayed to cross the line just as a train came by with the result that the dog had it’s head cut off, it is understood it was valued at £1.
August 2nd 1905
At a meeting of Cavendish Parish Council Mr Hutchinson drew attention to the path across the Green, it was decided to pick out the gravel and remake the path.
August 16th 1905
8 deaths were reported in a week at Sudbury amongst them was Private Charles Ambrose who had enjoyed an army pension for 43 years, his death occurred in the Volunteer Inn where he had been lodging for a few years. He was a native of Gt Henny and joined the 73rd Foot in 1840 at Sudbury and saw service in that regiment in two Kaffir wars and in the Indian Mutiny, he took part in the American Blockade from 1845 to 1846, he was in South America, then on the 12th of August 1846 landed in the Cape of Good Hope in 1858, he went to India and returned to England in 1861, he had distinguished himself in the Kaffir wars 1850-51, he left the army in 1862 after 21 years 32 days service.
August 23rd 1905
The first meeting of the creditors of Mr L.Archer of Skates Hill farm took place at the Caps Hotel, Colchester.
September 13th 1905
The live and dead stock to be sold at Acton Hall on September 19th by the instruction of Mr F.J.Kerry. 16 horses-220 sheep-43 head of neat stock-100 pigs-20 sows of the large black bred-portable engine by Claydon and Shuttleworth-chaff cutter-4 Ransome ploughs, etc.
September 13th 1905
Foxearth .Messrs Boardman and Oliver are favoured with instructions to sell by auction at Foxearth, the live and dead stock from Mr C.J.N.Row who is giving up his Long Melford land and removing to Lower House farm at Foxearth. 9 horses-2 Dutch heifers, etc.
September 13th 1905
Friday was a red letter day in Sudbury for the Salvation Army when General Booth paid a visit.
September 13th 1905
William Baldock a machinist from Haverhill was summoned for using a locomotive not consuming it’s own smoke, P.C.Lindsey of Belchamp st Pauls said he was near the Fox beerhouse in Belchamp St Pauls when he saw 2 ploughing engines stop near the beerhouse, the front one was funnelling black smoke. 2s 6d with costs
September 13th 1905
Died at St Leonard’s hospital, Sudbury, on September 9th from injuries received in South Africa, Claud Scrope Jervis, Hon. Lieutant in army, late sharpshooter Imperial, son of the Rev and Mrs Jervis of Bures Vicarage in his 30th year.
September 20th 1905
Sudbury. Robert Golding was summoned for assaulting Percy Brown, a carpenter and also for assaulting Alfred Brown, Percy Brown said I live in Cross street and was sitting in a doorway talking to Mrs Wright when Golding came along and said “you old devil talking about me again, I will give you something to talk about” he then struck him. Percy Brown was cross summoned for assault. Both parties bound over in the sum of £5.
October 4th 1905
On Wednesday morning Harry Howe a pensioner of the Royal Garrison Artillery living High Street, Long Melford died in bed, deceased was a native of Melford had been in the army for 20 years, he was stationed in Malta for a long time and was discharged with a liver complaint had received a small pension. He was aged 41 years and lived with his father John Howe and his sister, he had been in indifferent health and was warned by an army doctor that alcoholic stimulant could be fatal but the warning was disregarded.
October 4th 1905
Pentlow. Acting under instructions from Mr Orbell the live and dead stock from Pannels Ash, King’s farm and Pentlow Street farm to be sold, the incoming tenant is Mr Stanley Brand of Bradwell on Sea. Messrs Balls and Balls have received instruction from Mr J.E.Brand to sell by auction the live and dead stock at Waits Farm, Belchamp Walter.
October 4th 1905
On Tuesday night the non return of George Howard of Hall Street, Melford, caused anxiety among his relatives, on Wednesday morning his body was found in the floodgate hole at Liston, deceased was employed by Mr Ward of the Foundry since he was 9 years old, he leaves a widow and two sons, Charles Segers said he was carrying milk to Lyston Hall when he noticed a coat lying near the floodgate hole and he saw a body standing upright in the water.
October 18th 1905
Melford. On Monday morning William Bigg was shooting over Windmill Hill when with two charges of No. 10 ducks, he brought down an enormous amount of sparrows numbering 115.
November 15th 1905
After 14 days of pumping test at Clare the test was completed on Monday morning with 3,000 and 4000 gallons of water being raised without lowering the level of supply.
November 22nd 1905
Frederick Thistlewood aged 26 a farmer of Otten Belchamp was charged with committing acts of grave indecency with another male person viz Charles Carder at Otten Belchamp, he was further charged with committing similar acts with John Adderson and George Adderson, Committed to the Assizes.
November 29th 1905
Glemsford. A giant carpet of 63,000 square feet which is to cover the great arena at Olympia was delivered last Friday, it is reported to have filled 37 vans of Harrod’s pantechnicon’s and the procession of vans through London was about a mile long, the immense carpet says the “Express” is the largest ever made and is a triumph for the British manufacturers.
December 20th 1905
Melford. Considerable damage was done on Saturday morning by an outbreak of fire at the drug Works of Messrs Stafford Allen and Sons Ltd at Melford, it is believed it was caused by the flaring of a paraffin lamp, damage is estimated at £150.