The Foxearth and District Local History Society
1909 Suffolk & Essex Free Press newspaper archive

January 6th 1909

Old Age Pensioners who were paid at Clare Post Office on Friday evening made many expressions of gratitude, one old man exclaimed, God bless the King, the Prime Minister and all who had to do with the procuring of pensions.

January 6th 1909

Wedding at Glemsford of Frank Hale, butcher of Cavendish and Miss Emma Copsey, daughter of Joseph Copsey of the Cock Inn, Glemsford.

January 13th 1909

Work has started on the demolition of the " Old George Inn" at Sudbury in preparation for the erection of a large store for Messrs Walker. Six tenders were recieved, the lowest was by George Grimwood for £ 1462. The Old George was purchased for £ 900.

January 13th 1909

Wedding at Little Waldingfield between Miss Gertrude Wade, daughter of George Wade of Park Farm, Little Waldingfield and George Deeks of the " Leys" Little Cornard, and formerly of Stoke by Clare.

February 3rd 1909

On Tuesday night the sheds and cowhouse belonging to Percy Golding of Upper East Street, Sudbury was gutted by fire. Mr A.Golding and a lad named Totman were mincing mangolds and preparing fodder for the cows by the light of a lamp at about 7-45 pm, when they finished Mr Golding went into the town, when returning he saw smoke coming out of the loft where hay was stored, he gave the alarm to his mother who together with her son rushed to the building to get the cows out of which there were nine, one came out with no difficulty but the others were more trouble. When they got them out, the roof fell in, the rescued cattle were driven into the Park for the night, two ponies and fowls were also removed to safety. Damage is estimated at £ 150.

February 17th 1909

Charles Boreham a labourer of Glemsford was charged with neglecting his three children, he earnt good wages (from 15s-16s 6d) a week by peice work during the last 6 months which is considerably above farm workers wages. He had given way to drink and ill treated his wife who kept his house beautifully clean. When the Inspector visited the house it was bitterly cold and no coal in the house, but for the neighbours the children would starve. Bound over for 12 months and warned that if he came here again on these charges he would be dealt with severely.

February 17th 1909

James Peacock, under gardener at Kentwell Hall, Melford, fell a distance of 4© feet in the course of his duties and died. Harry Salvage, head gardener at Kentwell, said deceased was attending to the furnace that heats the water supply, in order to do that he had to cross a plank which he fell off into the stoke hole and recieved injuries from which he died, since then railings have been fitted. Accidental.

February 24tth 1909

Edward Pilgrim, a labourer of Little Yeldham was charged with stealing 6 pecks of peas valued at 6s, the property of Thomas Lawrence at Little Yeldham. W.C.Gardiner of Hall farm said he went for a walk round his farm going from Park farm into a meadow owned by Thomas Lawrence, he discovered in a ditch, a sack containing 1© bushels of peas, a man named Cranfield said the peas belonged to Mr Lawrence.
Emma Cranfield said as she was going to Belchamp Walter she saw Pilgrim put a sack in the hedge. 1 month hard labour.

March 17th 1909

At a meeting of Belchamp Rural District Council, Dr Holden, the medical officer for the district siad there had been 90 births which was 18.6 per 1000 population, 69 had died which was 14 per 1000.
 Rainfall was 19.32 inches which was below average, but the wells and ponds had maintained normal levels. 16 samples of water had been taken for analysis, of these 2 had been found impure and the wells closed and new ones sunk, 6 contained excessive organic matter and were cleaned out and surface drainings excluded.

April 7th 1909

A traction engine belonging to Mr Debenham, a cartage contractor from Lawshall, knocked down a shed and ran into a house near Stanstead White Hart, the house belongs to Mr Brewster of Cavendish. It appears that the engine had been to Sudbury and was returning with two loaded carts when the driver stopped at the White Hart for refreshment, he mounted the engine, put on steam and started for home but he could not control the machine which ran across the road into Mr Mason's shop, dislodging about 6ft of brick wall. The engine, much battered was left till next morning.

April 14th 1909

There was a fire at Melford station which destroyed some stables and sheds belonging to Mr Molton, a coal and corn merchant, the premises were used to store straw and farm products, after about 20 minutes the fire burnt out, there were no horses in the stable, a few hens sitting on eggs were destroyed and about 20 tons of mangolds.
Ashes in a bucket were supposed to have been the cause.

April 14th 1909

There was a funeral service at Foxearth followed by internment at Lyston churchyard of Mrs A.V.C.Lambert of Foxearth Hall.
The Rev Marshall and the Rev Fisher conducted the service which was mainly choral. Mourners were-Mr A.V.C.Lambert, widower, Miss Atty, aunt and Miss Atty sister, Mr and Mrs Campbell Lambert, father and mother in law, Mr Atty, brother, the nurse who attended Mrs Lambert during her illness and the servants from Foxearth Hall.

May 5th 1909

AUSTRALIA WANTS YOU
FARM HANDS £ 5 IF YOU POSSESS £ 15
£ 1 A WEEK AND KEEP
AGRICULTURISTS FREE PASSAGE
PASSAGES FOR FAMILIES, THE NECESSARY CAPITAL IS £ 50
FREE LAND
AUSTRALIAN AGENCY
8 LONDON STREET FENCHURCH
FENCHURCH ST. E.C.

May 5th 1909

When Mr Sam Burbridge went to Sudbury Cricket ground of which he is in charge, on Saturday morning, he found that the horse which is kept there had gone. He made enquiries as to where the venerable steed had gone and was surprised when Mr Karl Deeks whose premises are nearby said he knew the horse and tumbril had gone. The police were informed and he obtained information that the horse and tumbril had been seen going up Ballingdon Hill. P.C.Marjoram and Mr Deeks proceeded on bicycles in the direction of Halstead and had not gone very far when they met the tumbril being driven towards Sudbury, the driver was a boy named Bradwick and in the tumbril was a bicycle. Explanations were demanded and given, the horse was not stolen, just borrowed. The previous Saturday, Bradwick who is 14 years old had hired a bicycle from a local factor to ride to Braintree but had got a puncture and had left the bicycle at a cottage and returned to Sudbury, on returning to Sudbury the owner wanted to know where the cycle was and went to the boy's father, the boy was told he must walk to Braintree, mend the puncture and ride it home. He preferred to ride both ways and commandeered the horse and tumbril.

May 26th 1909

Frank Underwood, a horseman of Cavendish was charged with stealing 1 peck of wheat and 2 pints of barley from Blacklands Hall at Cavendish to the value of 2s 6d. Robert Death, farm bailiff to Mr Goodchild and P.C.Smith said they kept watch and saw defendant in the stable take the wheat and the oats, defendant said he took it to steep for the horses which he did twice a week, asked by the chairman if all horsemen steeped he replied that he did not know as he stood alone.
Defendant kept rabbits and hens. £ 1 and £ 1 3s 6d costs.

June 2nd 1909

George Bertie Deal a labourer from Bulmer was charged with having in his possession 100 partridges eggs which he had unlawfully obtained. P.C.Haynes said he saw defendant going towards Sudbury at 12-30 pm carrying a brown leather bag, he stopped him and searched him and found 100 eggs all packed up in layers of brown paper, defendant said they had been given him. Full penalty of £ 5 was imposed. Supt Terry said defendant was a worthless lazy fellow who did not work and lived with his mother.

June 9th 1909

A drawing match was held at Bulmer on land belonging to Mr Blacker of Goldingham Hall. There were 22 entries and 5 prizes presented by Messrs Bentall-Mr Blacker-Col Burke-Mr Courtnall-Dupont and Ortterwell. Mr Clarke of Goldingham Hall was Master of Ceromonies, judges were Nathan Coe of Gestingthorpe and Mr E.C.Hills,(school attendance officer, Fred says). Prizes-1st to G.E.Chatters, 12s, who is employed by Mr Blacker,(G.Chatters lived at Belchamp Walter in the first cottage by the pond on the Gestingthorpe road, Fred says). 2nd to C.Rowe, 9s- 3rd to H.Radley, 7s, both in the employ of G.English-4th to G.Rippingale, a spade, in the employ of N.Coe-5th to J.Rash, a fork, in the employ of the exors of Mr Keeble. Mr Courtnell proposed a vote of thanks to Mr Blacker for use of his land and horses.

June 9th 1909

Boardman and Oliver will sell at the Rose and Crown, Sudbury, a valuable Small Holding known as " Frost's Cottage", situated on the Otten road. Red brick thatched cottage residence with barn, stable and out buildings. 4 acres 0 rods 14 perches of excellent arable land in the occupation of George Thompson, paying a low rent of £ 9. (Fred says this is the holding opposite the the Otten school, right on the road). June 30th. Frost's Cottage was sold to S.H.Wilson for £ 122 10s.

June 9th 1909

A fire broke out at Newton Hall belonging to Mr Ben Gardiner who lives at the Hall, Mr Gardiner was soon on the scene directing the operations of the farm hands who quickly gathered, there was a good supply of water from the adjacent pod. The building was of red brick and flint with a slated roof, it was a fowl house between the stablee with a brick partition which prevented the flames from spreading, the roof was destroyed and the roof of a loose box. The men did well to confine the fire, Sudbury Fire Brigade was sent for but did not arrive. A man in the employ of Mr Gardiner set light to the sraw which he cleaned out of the nest boxes to destroy the vermin, he threw water over the flames then went to breakfast. Damage estimated at £ 100.

June 14th 1909

Ellen Theobald, a single woman from Belchamp Walter applied for an affilation order against Charles Edwards, aged 23 years, a gamekeeper of Belchamp Walter. Applicant said a baby was born last year and that she did not say anything about it because defendant had asked her not to as he would lose his job. Asked why she was applying now she said defendant had never given her any money, letters or presents. The girl denied attempting to screen someone else during cross examination.
Joseph Theobald, father of the girl said that the girl was his housekeeper and that defendant's mother had been present at the birth and had sent food and clothing. Defendant said that he had never promised to marry her. Dismissed.

June 14th 1909

John Messent a labourer of Belchamp Walter pleaded not guilty to using obscene language within earshot of the highway.
P.C.Robinson said he heard defendant using filthy language to his wife, he went to the back of the house and told defendant not to use such filthy language, witness said that Messent had been to Sudbury to draw his pension, the chairman said," what his old age pension" no his military pension. Guy Pearsons of the Eight Bells gave corroborative evidence.
17s all in.

June 14th 1909

The annual festival of the Girls Friendly Society in the district was held at Borley Rectory on Saturday last, there were 10 parishes represented with 100 girls present. The weather was as bad as it could be for the drive to Borley but Mr Payne kindly lent the barn near the church for sales of work and teas.

July 28th 1909

At " Fernside" Foxearth. Household furniture to be sold with the farmhouse and gardens to be let.

July 28th 1909

Horace Levi Lincoln, a carman of Sudbury was charged with stealing six young turkeys from Charles Deeks of Stettles Farm, Otten Belchamp, valued at £ 1 10s. 1 months hard labour.

August 4th 1909

For Sale-Lamberts Farm at Belchamp St Pauls, a small occupation of 38 acres in occupation of Charles Ray. Cappers Farm, Belchamp St Pauls, small homestead of 14 acres, to be sold under the will of George Bocock.

August 18th 1909

There was am accident at Bulmer Tye between a motor car and a horse drawn waggon when they collided. Then horse and waggon belonged to Maurice Lefley, a greengrocer from Sudbury and was being driven by a lad named Hostler, the waggon which was on the left hand side of the road and the car collided near the Fox Inn, the motor belongs to Mr Cooper of Halstead and driven by a man named Jarvis.

August 18th 1909

Mr George Chickall of Sheering Place, Belchamp St Pauls has died aged 83 years, he took an active part the church and the Conservative Party. December 22nd. George Chickall left £ 54-743.

August 25th 1909

For the offence of bathing in the Stour at the Croft, Sudbury, eight lads were before the magistrates in accordance with the Childrens Act (1908), the court was robbed of it's terrors as only the parties were allowed in the room, even the police not giving evidence were not allowed in, everyone adopted a benevolent expression. Hary Keeble, 11, Arthur Rash, 11, Anthony White, 11, Percy Radcliffe, 12, William Spring, 13, Cyril King, 11, Benjamin Panton, 13, Fred Cardy, 14 and Percy Griss 12, were summoned on accusation of bathing promiscuosly from the Croft, the act of George 1V set forth that anyone who should bathe in the Stour after 8 am should be liable to a fine of £ 5.

August 25th 1909

There wwas a presentation day ay Bulmer school, prize winners were, Laura King, Edith Jackson, Rachel Barrel, Spencer Coe, Edward Radley, Bertha Coe, Gladys Deal, Daisy Raymond, Philip Rowe, Bertie Radley, Ellen Lott, James Smith, Emily Coe, Ellen King, Evelyn Deal, Albert Smith, Ethel Barrel, Caroline Barrel, Violet Humm, Ernest Raymond, Hilda Raymond, Lily Raymond, Mabel Raymond, Bertie Moulton, Lionel Arbon, Alice Butcher, Elsie Smith, Rhona Coe, Willliam Howard, Frederick Bunn, Amy Reeve.
Infants, Bertie Townsend, Dorothy Rash, Lily Rowe, Bertha Wicks, Gertrude Theobald and Bertha Messent.

September 22nd 1909

Irene Stockens of Lawshall claimed £ 50 under the Workmens Compensation Act from who should bathe in the Stour after 8 am should be liable to a fine of £ 5.

August 25th 1909

There wwas a presentation day ay Bulmer school, prize winners were, Laura King, Edith Jackson, Rachel Barrel, Spencer Coe, Edward Radley, Bertha Coe, Gladys Deal, Daisy Raymond, Philip Rowe, Bertie Radley, Ellen Lott, James Smith, Emily Coe, Ellen King, Evelyn Deal, Albert Smith, Ethel Barrel, Caroline Barrel, Violet Humm, Ernest Raymond, Hilda Raymond, Lily Raymond, Mabel Raymond, Bertie Moulton, Lionel Arbon, Alice Butcher, Elsie Smith, Rhona Coe, Willliam Howard, Frederick Bunn, Amy Reeve.
Infants, Bertie Townsend, Dorothy Rash, Lily Rowe, Bertha Wicks, Gertrude Theobald and Bertha Messent.

September 22nd 1909

Irene Stockens of Lawshall claimed £ 50 under the Workmens Compensation Act from Herbert Harvey from Rowhedge, Melford, for injuries received when she was a housemaid at Rowhedge, she was taking a pail of water upstairs when a stair broke, the glasses she was wearing broke and a piece went into her eye causing her to lose the sight in that eye. 6s 6d a week as long as she was disabled.

September 22nd 1909

Mr Jezzard, the landlord of Henny Swan was granted a licence for the sale at Kitchen Farm, Bulmer, the police raised no objections as long as only bottled beer was sold as if draught was sold labourers would hang about drinking. September 29th 1909. Sale at Kitchen farm Bulmer of live and dead stock also from two other occupations in Bulmer, Griggs Farm and Brickwall. Mr Cautley is the incoming tenent. 25 horses were sold.

October 6th 1909

At a meeting of Belchamp Rural council it was decided to take proceedings for the recovery of £ 9 1s expences incurred for repairs to the bridge over the Stour at Foxearth Mill.

October 13th 1909

Sale of live and dead stock at Alpheton Hall and Tye farm on instructions of Mr F.Branwhite. 25 horses. Branwhite Brothers are the incoming tenants.

October 20th 1909

There was a fatal accident at Brundon pit at Sudbury when Harry Hume of Ballingdon was the victim, the pit is worked by Mr Whittome. Hume with a fellow worker named Ernest Hale were getting stone from a small hole in the pit when there was a fall of sand and stone almost burying Hume, Hale rushed to his mate's aid but but before he could rescue him there was another fall of earth completely burying him.
Mr Harry Eldred, of the gut factory said he had been in conversation with the men a few minutes before and Hume had asked him if he thought it was safe, assistance was at once sought and four men worked to free the man, the accident happened at 10-20 pm and the poor fellow was recovered at 11-40 pm. The man was aged 24 years. The pit had been worked for 40 years. Accidental.

January 12th 1910

The first case under the Workmen's Compemsation Act was heard when Messrs Steed and Steed for the applicants and Bates and Wells appeared for the respondent. The application was made on behalf of two brothers of Harry Hume who was killed when in the employ of Mr Whittome of Brundon Hall, Sudbury, on October the 14th 1909. Mr Hume and his mate Hale made a bargain with Mr Whittome to cart quality stone and to be paid 1s per yard, for three years before his death his average earnings were 15s a week. Deceased lived with his brothers, all contributing to a brother who had been crippled about 14 years before and was wholly dependant on his three brothers, another brother had come home from India and joined the arrangement, the sustance of the matter was that the cripple had lost the support of a brother. Frederick Hume, the cripple, said that he had fallen from a carriers cart 30 years ago and had not been in a club. His Honour said the respondent should pay 1s 8d a week for three years but that the funeral claim was too excessive at £ 13 and he would therefore allow £ 5

October 20th 1909

Sudbury Market. Wheat to 35s-Barley to 30s-Oats to 16s-Beans to 33s-Peas to 33s.

November 17th 1909

At the Bankruptcy Court. Arthur Pannel of Gestingthorpe, wheelwright and carpenter with deficiency of £ 204. John Wright of Foxearth, grocer and baker with deficiency of £ 206.
December 15th 1909 Belchamp Rural District Council. The surveyor reported that the arch that takes the tail water from West Mill, Foxearth, is now in ruins, the highway near Glemsford station was washed away on the 3rd by the heavy rain, the damage was undoubtedly done by the owner of the mill not raising the flood gates, he immediately stopped traffic and asked the owner what he was going to do about it, he replied" nothing". Mr Gross was not the owner but Mr Scott was, although the council could not legally be made to repair the bridge, no-one else would. Mr Ward suggested they put ferro concrete with iron girders. The council decide to give notice to the owner to reinstate the bridge.

January 26th 1910

William Lawrence, a labourer of East Ham was charged with using obscene language and refusing to quit the Stone and Faggot at Little Yeldham on July 8th 1905

The clerk said defendant had kept out of the way of the police and was only recently discovered. Edward Smith, landlord of the Stone and Faggot said he refused him a drink and orderd him out of the house, he refused and used bad language, he also threatened him with a whip. Harry Brown said he was present and heard the bad languge. 1s with 15s costs.

February 9th 1910

Belchamp Rural Council. The surveyor reported that a start would be made on the bridge at West Mill, Foxearth, as soon as the floods went down and the cost would be £ 133. The Rev Fisher of Lyston applied to be allowed to take 30 square feet to form an approach to his new house. Agreed. Mr Ward asked that a circular be sent to all the farmers in the district whose fields adjoin the road asking for co- operation in cleaning the ditches out properly so as not to flood the highway on the occassion of heavy rain.

February 16th 1910

Tenders are invited for the supply of hay to be delivered to the Corporation stables at Sudbury as required, tenders must be accompanied by sample trusses of 18 inches by 12 inches.

February 23rd 1910

Harry Gridley, a laboure of Melford was charged with setting fire to two cottages at Cramner Green at Melford, occupied by Arthur Jacobs and Daniel Gridley, the father of defendant. Bailed.
June 15th 1910. Harry Gridley was sentenced to 5 years penal servituude.

February 23rd 1910

Boardman and Oliver have let on lease, Blacklands Hall at Cavendish with the shooting to Major Foster D.S.O..

March 23rd 1910

There was sad accident at Gestingthorpe to a little girl, Alice Dixey. She came down in the morning in her flannelette nightgown an attempted to move the kettle in the fireplace, she was enveloped in flames and the little sufferer died in the afternoon.
Accidental.

April 6th 1910

Frederick Goodwin aged 34 a farmer of Toppesfield, was charged with being drunk in charge of a horse. Agnes Goodwin (no relation) said she saw defendant on the Yeldham road in a helpless state, having no control over his horse, when the horse galloped he fell off, she asked him to try and get up but he used bad language to her, he had been hunting all day. £ 1 and costs.