January 2nd 1906

All employees of Mr Whittle's mat factory at Melford were presented with 3 oz of tobacco by Mrs Weller Poley of Brook House.

January 24th 1906

The Master of the Workhouse at Sudbury reports that the number in the house is 173 which includes 15 tramps compared to 8 last year. Last Friday a boy was brought in to the workhouse by the police, he had been found at Belchamp St Pauls in an outhouse, he was not mad but had lost his memory completely, on Tuesday he had recovered it to say his name and where he came from, his name was Charles Tulley from London. The Master wrote to the father who turned up and was willing to pay for the costs of maintainance.

January 4th 1906

The body of a man of man was found near a straw stack on the farm of Mr Dansie at Groton. The man was Thomas Rice aged 86, a former carpenter. Robert Dansie a farmer of Groton said he found the body lying near the stack, it was exposed to the wind and wet. Deceased had been in the Union but always discharged himself.

January 24th 1906

William Chinnery, who has for a long space of time, acted as rural postman between Melford and Alpheton, was the recipient last week of a testimonial from the inhabitants of the latter parish in recognition of the satisfactory manner he has carried out his duties during that period. Chinnery, who is not entitled to a pension, is 70 years old and has been compelled to resign owing to ill health. Mr John Flatt drew up a subscription list and collected £ 3, the Rector and the church wardens heading the list which represented all classes in the village. At a moderate computation Mr Chinnery walks 20 miles a day on his round so in 32 years he has walked roughly 18500 miles.
William Chinnery and his wife were postmaster-mistress at Foxearth, so he had to walk to Melford before he started work, the post office at Foxearth being at what is now Barley House, where Barry and Shirley Philpott live. He was Graham Chinnery's great grandfather and the grandfather of the late Reg Chinnery who told me that J.P.Brand who lived at Brook Hall and also farmed Shimpling Hall and would travel to and fro by pony and trap, would offer him a lift but he always refused (G.H.)

February 7th 1906

At the Essex Assizes held at Chelmsford on Thursday, a youg man belonging to Otten Belchamp, Frederick Thistlewood, a farmer, was indicted on certain charges of gross indecency. Medical evidence was called to show that the prisoner is not insane but was of low intellect.
The Rector of the parish gave him a good character. 12 months hard labour.

February 14th 1906

William Warren, aged 57, a labourer from Bulmer was summoned by the Sudbury Board of Guardians for the maintenance of his mother. Defendant works for Mr Nott, he was married but no family to keep. His rent was £ 6 10s a year with £ 7 for harvest and weekly wage of 13s. The chairman said what about the item of £ 2 19s 5d for fowls, he replied " that is the missus's money, she will not look after fowls to keep my mother" (laughter). In reply to further questions he admitted he kept a pony but only to take his daughter to work at Halstead, he took shooting parties from the station sometimes, his son earnt 13 a week and paid 5s board, he could not say what his daughters paid as they settled with their mother, he did not take ladies money,(laughter). An order was made for him to pay 2s a week. Defendant said " it makes one wish his father and mother were dead", the chairman said " that is not a very nice thing to say"," can't help it sir", with that he put his hat on to which the chairman said sharply," take that off".

February 28th 1906

Small supplies of English wheat at Sudbury Market to 31s and barley to 33s.

March 7th 1906

Henry Freeman, aged 22, a labourer was charged with refusing to do his allotted task at Sudbury Workhouse. The Master, Mr Jones, said he was put to break 10 cwt of stones but refused to do so and later was asked again to do so but again refused. Defendant said when he got up there was only a glass of water for him and he could not break stones on that. The Master explained he had the usual diet on admission of 8 oz of bread and another 8 oz before being set to work. 21 days hard labour.

March 7th 1906

Glemsford v Bury St Mary, at Glemsford, Glemsford winning 2-1. Glemsford team-Scott in goal-Garwood and Brewster, backs- Dunwell, F.Byford, F.Brewster, halves- Chatters, Underwood, Boreham, Oakley, Jarman, forwards.

March 14th 1906

William Sargent a labourer of Pinch Hill, Bulmer, was charged with stealing 6© d from his employer, Mr Berry, a farmer and baker of Ballingdon. Mr Berry said defendant had been in his employ for 30 years, he had missed some money and told the police. Sargent came to work at 6 in the morning to milk the cows, the baker would unlock the door and let him in through the house to get the keys to the yard from a bureau in the front room. P.C.Brinkley said at 5 in the morning he placed some marked coins in a bowl in the bureau, defendant came in and took a key from the bureau and went outside, where witness approached him and found the marked coins. The chairman said but for Mr Berry's appeal he would have gone to prison but he would be fined 20s.

April 26th 1906

On May the 7th at the Eight Bells, Walter Belchamp, by order of the executors of the late James Pearsons. Household furniture- brewing materials-mahogany cheffionier side board-mahogany Pembroke Loo- set of hand bells-oil paintings and olegraphs-10 beer vats-4 20 gallon hogsheads-wine and beer casks-barrels-kilderkins-firkins-pins-troughs- lead copper-zinc lined cooler-weighing machines-malt screens-water chutes-barrel slides-water cart-brewers cart-harness.

May 2nd 1906

The otter hounds met at the Bull Hotel at Melford. After drawing the streams up towards Lavenham and drawing a blank, the master decided that the old mill at Glemsford would be the place as there had been reports of otters there. At the old mill the company was brought to a standstill by the pretty scene which presented its self, a quiet old residence approached by an old fashioned bridge hung with ivy, backed by the hunt party, it would form a picture worthy of transfering to canvas, but no otters about. On to Cavendish, stopping at the Three Turns for draught of best then on to Cavendish where several members called to sample the viands of Fred Deaves at the George, on to Clare but the hunt was unrewarded and we returned to Melford to see Melford win the West Suffolk Cup.

May 9th 1906

Failure of Harry Lever of the Crown, Melford. Liabilities £ 275, assets of £ 28.

May 9th 1906

There was an unusual death at Melford of a young girl aged 9 years. Ethel Bullock of Westgate Lane ate a hearty meal on Tuesday night after which she ate some sorrel which is a practice some children adopt, on Friday she died. Dr Pettit said that when he saw her she seemed she had been poisoned with the sorrel, if she had a dose of castor oil she would still be with us and if the mother had sent for the doctor earlier she would have been alright.

May 9th 1906

Ruth Wodgate, a silk weaver, summoned Jne. Mansfield of Borley to show cause etc. To pay 2s a week until the child was 14 years and 10s 6d nurse's fee

May 16th 1906

County Court. The Rev Pannel of Bulmer v Ann Thistelwood of Belchamp,(probably of the Fowes, Fred thinks) for 19s for 1 years tithe. Order for restraint.

May 16th 1906

Sussanah Boreham, a single woman from Mill Lane, Sudbury, was charged with stealing 16 lbs of potatoes valued at 6d from Cecil Whitome of Brundon who said he had a clamp of potatoes on the farm, he was shown the potatoes by the police, they were cigarette potatoes not the common kind. The defendant said she was half starved for the last three weeks and she wanted something for her two children as the man she lived with had gone.

May 23rd 1906

There was an application for the transfer of the licence from the Eight Bells at Belchamp Walter from the executors of the late James Pearsons to Morgan Pearsons. Supt Terry said the police had made a report some time ago on the Bells. The licence was granted on condition Mr Pearsons lived on the premises as the report made two years ago was not very good.

June 13th 1906

At a meeting of the Sudbury Board of Guardians the Master said there were 152 inmates as agaist 150 this time last year.
The Rev F.E.P.Bull asked if the Tatum family could be emigrated, the Master said the Salvation Army would not pay half the fees as there were too many applicants, the Rev Bull said he had seen the family having breakfast beside the roads and that it would be better to pay for more to go abroad. The Master said many had gone to Canda and returned.

June 13th 1906

Death of Mr Turton Norton of Kentwell Hall at Melford.
He was a J.P. and had lived at Kentwell for 10 years, born in 1847, he was member of the firm of solicitors, Norton Rose and Norton, a staunch Conservative and Churchman.

June 20th 1906

For leaving his horse unattended outside the Angel Inn at Sudbury, Alfred Smith a milk seller of Rodbridge was fined 1s with 4s 6d costs. Supt Terry said there were many more motor cars about now.

June 27th 1906

Two pairs of brick and tile cottages and a pair of plaster slated cottages on Green Common, Belchamp Walter, were bought by Mr Martin of Belchamp for £ 160.

July 11th 1906

At Sudbury County Court, C.H.Burch sued his former employer, Mr Joseph Aspey of Easton Hall, Belchamp Walter, for one weeks wages of 22s in lieu of notice. Plaintiff was dismissed after being there for two months. His Honour said " for what reason"," he assaulted me when I came home on Sunday night"," you slept in the house and had you asked Mr Aspey if you could stay out, on the 15th of June you were out and did not return until the following morning", plaintiff " I went home home and stayed the night, I was instructed to be in by 10 o'clock. His Honour said," you put yourself out of court, a servant who sleeps in the house must ask his master for leave to sleep out, one cannot have servants do that sort of thing". The plaintiff said " if he does not like it he should give me notice", his Honour," no, you going out like that means the house is unlocked," I told them to lock up"," you disobeyed an order, perhaps the cook would like to sleep out, the butler or perhaps parlour maid, then this means the Master has to get up and light his own fire, he would ask," where is the butler" the reply would be " he has been out all night sir, then he would have to black his own boots, oh no that won't do. The plaintiff said he is bound to give me a weeks notice," no" said his Honour, the plaintiff " oh yes sir" His Honour," we will have to disagree, you have no case". For Defendant.
July 18th 1906. There was a well attended meeting at Bulmer schoolroom about the Education Bill, the chairman was Col Burke, they were addressed by Mr Mark of the Church School League, he explained the unfair provisions of the Bill.

July 18th 1906

On Wednesday morning at about 11, Walter Elliston of Silk Factory Yard, Glemsford, died suddenly at Cavendish. He went to see Dr Ritchie and was returning through the fields, he passed through the churchyard and got over the style into Bull meadow when he was seen to fall by an old man named Bullock who called for help. His body was brought home by P.C.Kent, he was aged about 55 years.
What could have been a serious accident occurred at Gelmsford in Egermont Street, it appears that one of Mr Byford's vans which was heavily laden was proceeding along the street when the front wheel of the van sank into the ground, it seems that workmen had been excavating to lay a water connection and had laid a piece of wood over the hole which gave way.

August 1st 1906

For Sale. One of the best farmed estates in the county, known as Houghton Hall at Cavendish, comprising 530 acres of fertile deep soil-commodious old farmhouse residence-4 cottages- convenient buildings. For several years in occupation of the late Robert Allen and now farmed by the executors. The farm is well known for it's high yeilding corn and other crops, particulary for it's fine growth of malting barley. At the Rose and Crown, Sudbury, on Thursday August at 4-30 pm. August 22nd Houghton Hall was withdrawn at £ 4000 and was later sold to Mr R.Miller of Clapham Common, London.

August 1st 1906

On Tuesday morning, Mr Mason a farmer of Thurston End near Glemsford met with an nasty accident when returning from Glemsford Station with a load of coals, he reached the top of the hill near Trucketts Hall and was brushing flies from the pony when it kicked out and broke Mason's leg. The pony started for home and a lad from the farm recognised the animal and seeing it on it's own concluded there had been an accident, he went back a short distance and found Mr Mason, help was soon forthcoming.

August 1st 1906

Cricket. Bulmer v Wickham St Pauls. Bulmer-P.Chinery 0- J.Warden 15-A.Medcalf 6- W.Chinery 2- H.Germany 1-A.Bean 7-A.Dixey 2- S, Hayes 1-F.Kelsey 0-B.Hayes 0-F.Hayes 0 extras 8. Total 42.
Wickham -H.Warren 1-A.Barnes 2-P.Walford 7-E.Juison 2-C.Honeywood 1- H.Bull 0-J.Johnson 1 F.Honeywood 3-W.Walford 0- H.Barnes 2-F.Barnes 0 Extras 4. Total 22.

August 8th 1906

There was an inquest at the Perseverance Hotel at Melford on the body of George Boggis aged 8 years who drowned when fishing at Rodbridge. James Boggis a labourer of Melford said his son left home at about 8-30 am with some other boys to go fishing about © a mile from home. William Boggis, brother of deceased, aged 11 years, said they went to Rodbridge to fish, they went over the railway line and deceased went across Mr Brand's meadow, witness stayed in the meadow but his brother to the Melford end of the rail bridge, witness shouted to him to get off the bridge but he refused, when deceased was on the bridge his hands gave way and he fell in the water, a man named Dixie came with some creepers but they could not get him out. Mr Dixie the crossing keeper told them not to go on the line. Accidental drowning.

August 15th 1906

There was an inquest at the Waggon and Horses at Great Yeldham on Ester Hasler aged 55 years who was found drowned in the River Colne on Wednesday. John Hasler her husband, a thatcher, said he last saw his wife at 8-30 when he went to the Waggon and Horses, he went home and went to bed, when he got up the next morning he did not see his wife as they did not sleep together, he thought she had gone to see her mother, he went to work at Belchamp with his son Morris. James Angel of Toppesfield said he saw a body in the river Colne. Suicide.

August 15th 1906

A labourer named Alfred Rulten, aged 41 years, in the employ of Mr G.E.Unwin at Red House farm at Little Yeldham was carting straw to Sewells Farm in Little Yeldham when the horse bolted and knocked him down, there was every appearance that a wheel had passed over him causing shocking injuries. He leaves a widow and four children.
Alfred Rulton, a son of the deceased said he was working at Sewells farm when he saw a horse galloping along the road with a waggon, he managed to stop it then went to look for his father and soon found him lying beside the road quite dead. Walter Cook, the farm bailiff said deceased was perfectly sober. Mr Unwin said deceased was a good worker and that he would do all he could to help the widow. Accidental.

September 12th 1906

The clerk of Hedingham Petty Sessions said an application had been made by Sudbury Board of Guardians for a summons to be taken out against John and Stanley Brand, overseers of Pentlow, for the payment of £ 104. The Rev Bromwich said an order had been sent out but it had not been complied with. The Bench granted the summons.
September 26th 1906. John Brand a farmer of Pentlow was summoned that he being one of the overseers of Pentlow and that John and Stanley Brand had their signatures on the minute book of the Sudbury Union, the sum of £ 104 being the contributions of Pentlow. The chairman said you were called upon but did not pay. J.P.Brand said " I objected, also my brother did, as there are no assistant overseers, I think Pentlow is the only place like it". Defendant said I cannot do business without assistants, I have 1500 acres to attend to. The chairman said," I suppose you are a parish councillor"," no I am not" was the reply. Defendant was ordered to pay and also the costs of 15s 2d. " What if I don't pay"," a distraint warrant will be issued".
Note:-(Overseers were appointed as parish officers with the duty of assisting the poor from public funds.)(G.H.).

September 12th 1906

On Monday afternoon as Mr H.Ruse of Melford, accompanied by Philip Sargent were driving home from Lavenham when the pony which was descending down Black Adder Hill, swerved into the side of the bank causing both occupants to be thrown out on to the road, Mr Ruse regained the reins but was dragged 20 yards along the road and had to let go. The pony unattended, rushed home, a lad in the employ of Mr Ruse was speedily despatched with a horse and trap in which the unfortunate gentlemen were conveyed home. Both men are suffering from the effects of the accident especially Mr Sargent. It is thought that the trap was too big for the pony.

September 26th 1906

The induction of a new Rector took place at Foxearth by the Bishop of St Albans. The parishioners accepted the presentation of the patrons,(Mrs Foster and Mr H.C.Canham) of the Rev Alfred Marshall M.A. to the parish. We believe he occuppied the living for 12 months a long time ago.

October 3rd 1906

A fashionable wedding took place at Bulmer parish church when Capt Francis Braithwaite of the Loyal Lancashire Regiment and of Acton Place, married Miss Norah Burke the eldest daughter of Lieut Col W.St George Burke of the Aubries. It was an historic event as we believe that a marriage has not taken place from the Aubries for over a century. The bridegroom's father was formerly Rector of Gt Waldingfield.
The church could have been filled twice over. Mr H.H.Clarke from Goldingham Hall and Mr Stimpson directed the guest to their seats. The reception was at the Aubries where a large marquee had been erected. The happy pair, the toast of whose health was pledged by a bumper, left for a honeymoon in Ireland, they will take up residence at Preston in Lancashire, where the Captain who served his country gallantly for three years in South Africa, is stationed.

October 24th 1906

The staff of Foxearth Brewery had their annual outing to London, Mr Ward being unable to attend sent a letter thanking all the staff, especially the head brewer, Mr Fuller, for good service and co- operation, the years trading had been successful and business had increased, several important agencies had been opened and others were contemplated, he hoped the same good feeling between master and men would be maintained.

October 24th 1906

Sudbury Market. English wheat to 28s 6d-Barley 6d a quarter cheaper. Good supply of hogs to £ 5 15s-Jointers to 35s-sheep to 44s 6d-beef to 8s 6d a stone.

October 31st 1906

There was an inquest at the Saracens Head at Newton on Arthur Chaplin aged 41 whose body was found hanging from a tree on Mill Bank field. Charles Chaplin said deceased was his brother and lived with him, he last saw him on Monday, he did not return that night but did not take any notice as he often stayed out all night, he was due in court soon on a theft charge. Suicide.

December 5th 1906

George Unwin of Topcroft, Norfolk was fined 10s and 5s costs for causing two traction engines to be used at Belchmp Otten without a name affixed.

December 12th 1906

On Monday afternoon, a hearse and pony belonging to Mr J, Copsey of Glemsford was proceeding to Stanstead church with the body of Mr Kilbourn. On reaching the middle of Church hill, the pony, for some reason bolted at a furious pace down the hill, a wheel came off at the corner and the top of the hearse fell on the roadway, a young lad named Brown who was driving was also thrown off, but not injured, the pony continued past Place Farm, dragging the remains of the hearse which it managed to shake off before reaching Stanstead bridge, it went on to the White Hart where it eventually stopped, near to Mr Kilbourn's home.
The body was conveyed on the shoulders of six men to the church.

December 12th 1906

Arthur Pawsey of Alpheton was charged with trespassing in search of game at Shimpling, he pleaded guilty. Walter Hurrel, gamekeeper, said he saw the prisoner kill two rabbits. 6s and 11s 6d costs.

December 19th 1906

Should golf be allowed on Newton Green or not. This is the question which is agitating the inhabitants of Newton, some gentlemen well known in the neighbourhood are desirious of forming a golf club on Newton Green which happens to be the only place suitable with short turf and sandy soil. The green belongs to two Lords of the Manor, one of whom is the Earl Howe and the parishioners of Newton, they are the owners of the green in the parish, they have certain ancient rights in connections with the green, being allowed to feed their animals on it and use it for recreation. They have the right to give a decision on who plays on the green.

December 26th 1906

An interesting archeological discovery has been discovered at Alphamstone where the church now stands, there are lying around the church the remains of sacred stones which are evidence of a pagan temple also called a Druids Circle. The cicles are of great antiquity and were erected by the ancient Britons during the late stone age.