Beccles Newspapers from 1891 
David Lindley, Jan 2003 
1
BECCLES NEWSPAPERS 1890 (Missing)
1890

SALE: KEMPS  LANE:  Land the property of Mr HAH Garnham.  Piece of Accommodation  Land
containing 1a 0r 35p, Copyhold of Barsham Hall Manor, occupied by Mr Botwright Brown at £4 pa.

East Suff Gaz  13 Jan 

 
1890

 

(Withdrawn £ 40)
SALE:  Northgate:  Freehold  Property,   for   many  years  occupied   by  Mrs   Young,   in  which   a

East Suff Gaz 28 Mar 

considerable business is carried on. Substantial Residence & Grocer’s & Corn Chandler’s Shop, with
spacious Warehouse. Granary & Offices in rear.
(Withdrawn £300)

 
1890

 

SALE: NEW MARKET:  Sale FWL Lane Esq
[No 6] New Market: Residence with Garden & excellent Stabling & back entrance in Smallgate
(Withdrawn £800)

East Suff Gaz 2 May  

 
 

 
 

1890

SALE:  GROVE  ROAD  (INGATE  ROAD):  Dwelling  House  with  Pot  Shed  adjoining,  Pot  Kiln,
Stabling, Store House, Tile  & Pot Sheds & other buildings; also Orchard, Garden & Drying Ground;
about 1 acre. Occupied William Aldous & John Clare, whose tenancies expire on 6 July

East Suff Gaz 2 Jun 

 
1890
 

 

(Withdrawn £300)
SALE: Ravensmere & Northgate
Lot 1: Ravensmere: Fully Licencesed Public House: Royal Oak, now tenanted by Messrs Morgan &

East Suff Gaz 10 June 
 

Co of Norwich
Lot 2: Northgate: Double Cottage & valuable & productive piece of Garden Occupied by Isaac Amis

 
 

[number 42] & Fred Hembling [number 40] [presumably sold to Thomas Woodroffe]
SALE: RAVENSMEER:

1890
 
 

East Suff Gaz 8 Jul 

 
 

LOT 1 ) Royal Oak tenanted by Messrs Morgan & Co Norwich
(Bought E Morse £305)

1890
 

SALE: NORTHGATE:
LOT 2) [Nos 40, 42] Northgate: Double Cottage & valuable & productive piece of Garden ground,
occupied by Isaac Amis & Fred Hembling
(Bought T Woodroffe £235)

East Suff Gaz 8 Jul 
 

 
1890

 

SALE: NEWGATE  Sale for Robt Leavold
Freehold Cottage occupied by Robt Copeman Rent weekly 2s 6d
(Withdrawn £55)

East Suff Gaz 8 Jul 

 
 

 
 

1890
 
 

SALE: BLYBURGATE:  Sale for Mrs E Garnham
[No 20] Blyburgate:  House & Printing Office occupied AG Jarman;
Furniture Warehouse occupied by Robt Rand

East Suff Gaz 8 Jul  

 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

[No 18] Blyburgate: House & Shop occupied William Payne
AND
5 Cottages

 
1890
 

 

(Withdrawn £230)
SALE: STATION ROAD: Sale for F Blunderfield
LOT 1) [No 35] Semi-detached Villa Residence: Entrance Hall, Dining & Drawing Rooms, Kitchen,

East Suff Gaz 8 Jul 
 

4 Bedrooms, Scullery, other Offices in rear & flower Garden in front, occupied GW Cross
(Bought J Nightingale £390)
LOT 2 ) Brick & slated Stable & Coach House & valuable piece of  Garden ground at back of Station

 
 

 
 

Road near Lot 1 occupied by propietor
(Withdrawn £75)

 
1890

 

The house & premises known as the Waveney Wine & Spirits Stores for many years
occupied by the late Mr E Buck, are put up for sale by public auction & purchased [Northgate 19 &

Jordan’s Almanac Oct 18
 
 
21] by Mr Morse for £830.
BECCLES NEWSPAPERS from 1891 (The 1890 Newspaper is missing)

The “Beccles Newspaper” is the East Suffolk Gazette.
1891

East Suff Gaz 6 Jan 

ADVERTISEMENT: JP Walton, late Ward & Walton, Importer of  Wines,  Spirits &  Liqueurs. Our
Carts deliver free within 20 miles of Beccles

1891
1891

East Suff Gaz 6 Jan 

ADVERTISEMENT: CT Field, Genuine Boot Store, Exchange Square, next to the Corn Exchange)
ADVERTISEMENT: Vulcan Iron Works, Engineers, Millwrights, Boilermakers & Brassfounders

East Suff Gaz 6 Jan 
1891
East Suff Gaz 6 Jan 
ADVERTISEMENT: Norman Bros & Beard, Music Warehouse, Newmarket; Pianos & Organs for
Beccles Newspapers from 1891 
David Lindley, Jan 2003 
2

sale and hire on three years’ Purchase system. Violins & Music Instruments of all kinds.
ADVERTISEMENT: Samuel F Field, Iron & Brass Founder, Agricultural Implement Manufacturer,

1891
East Suff Gaz 6 Jan 

Hungate
ADVERTISEMENT: Caxton Press, Printing of every description.

1891
1891

East Suff Gaz 6 Jan 
East Suff Gaz 6 Jan 

ADVERTISEMENT: Jonathan Read, formerly Durrant) Watch & Clock Maker, Jeweller, Silversmith
& Optician; Market Place [Sheepgate]

1891
1891
1891

East Suff Gaz 6 Jan 

ADVERTISEMENT: J Ward, Outfitter. Hungate. Also purchase of left-off Wearing Apparel
ADVERTISEMENT: Dixon’s Bookselling , Printing & Stationery Warehouse, Newmarket
ADVERTISEMENT: Sparling, The People’s Clothier, Red House, Newmarket; an enormous stock of

East Suff Gaz 6 Jan 
East Suff Gaz 6 Jan 

Winter Clothing and strong boots.
ADVERTISEMENT: TH Pearce, Grocery, Teas, Provisions, Wines, Spirits
ADVERTISEMENT  FW  Spaull,  Exchange  Square  &  Newmarket;  French,  All-Wool  &  Bradford

1891
1891

East Suff Gaz 6 Jan 
East Suff Gaz 6 Jan 

Dress Fabrics, suitable for the present severe weather.
ADVERTISEMENT:  A  McQueen,  Newmarket;  Gents,  Youths’  &  Juvenile  Overcoats  in  all  the
newest & most fashionable styles; Tailoring Department: Meltons, Beavers, Serges, Pilots, Witneys.

1891
East Suff Gaz 6 Jan 
1891
East Suff Gaz 6 Jan 

ADVERTISEMENT: Smith & Eastaugh, Beccles & Lowestoft supply London Stout; Extra Stout 45s
per 36 gals barrel, delivered free within 10 miles.
ADVERTISEMENT: Miller’s Photographic  Studio,  Station Road. Open  every Thursday,  Friday &

1891
East Suff Gaz 6 Jan 

Saturday. Art Portraiture & Photography of every description.
ADVERTISEMENT: George Smith, Pork Butcher, London Road; Home-cured Hams 10d per pound.
Prime Sausages 7d per pound.

1891
East Suff Gaz 6 Jan 
1891
East Suff Gaz 6 Jan 

ADVERTISEMENT: White Lion family & Commercial Hotel, AW Bloom, proprietor. Posting in all
its branches; An excellent Bowling Green.
ADVERTISEMENT Boarding  & Day  School; Mrs Hayes will  be pleased to  receive her pupils  on

1891
East Suff Gaz 6 Jan 

Monday  19th  January.  Lessons  given  in  Music,  Singing,  French,  Drawing  &  Painting.  Dancing
classes will recommence on 14th.

1891
East Suff Gaz 6 Jan 

ADVERTISEMENT Boys Preparatory School: Miss McCulloch, RA, Has a vacancy for a few little
Boarders.

1891
1891

East Suff Gaz 6 Jan 

RAILWAY EMPLOYEES DINNER; Subscriptions invited, for Passenger & Goods Staff.
WEATHER: Exceptionally severe in December, the coldest on record. Much snow fell on 15th, 17th

East Suff Gaz 6 Jan 

& 19th.-
ENTERTAINMENT by pupils of Miss Kerridge at Waveney Lodge. Piano & singing.
FIRE  AT  THE  STATION:  Carpenters’  &  Plumbers’   Shop  (partly)   burnt  down.  Fire  Brigade

1891
1891

East Suff Gaz 6 Jan 
East Suff Gaz 6 Jan 

hampered  by  passing  trains,  which  required  repeated  disconnections.  Owing  to  the  bitterly  cold
weather the firemen were covered with icicles as they toiled. The tools of 3 carpenters: F Larke, H
Youell & G Greaves greatly damaged.

1891
East Suff Gaz 6 Jan 

MEAT  TEA  FOR  THE  POOR:  200  Poor  from  Nonconformist  Churches.  Funds  collected  by
Congregational  Young  Men  under  Alderman  Masters.  Musical  Entertainment  afterwards  in  the
Schoolroom.

1891
East Suff Gaz 6 Jan 

POLICE COURT: Alfred Chaston, labourer,  of Beccles  guilty of stealing a  jumper valued at 2s  at
Mutford from a clothes line. Given one month’s hard labour.
Mr JUDD, Liberal Candidate for Division in a letter writes of determination to obtain Home Rule for

1891
East Suff Gaz 6 Jan 

the Irish People.
ADVERTISEMENT:  High Class School for Girls: Hill-Side, [45] London Road.
THE INDIAN TROUBLES in the United States are still unsettled. Some tribes have submitted, but

1891
1891

East Suff Gaz 13 Jan 
East Suff Gaz 13 Jan 

others, numbering several thousand warriors, declare their intention to fight.
RELIEVING THE DISTRESSED: On Wednesday a number of men, representing themselves as out
of employ and in great distress, went round the town with a box to collect money. They called upon

1891
East Suff Gaz 13 Jan 

most  of the Tradesmen and  other well-to-do  residents,  and  afterwards the men shared the  money
subscribed  to  their  relief.  Other  means  of  giving  assistance  to  the  needy  are  the  outcome  of  the

meeting convened by the Mayor.(Thomson Wilson). The Public Soup Kitchen is now open daily, and
a committee meets every day to receive applications for relief, which is dispensed in the shape of one

shilling and sixpenny tickets for grocery, meat etc, a liberal response having been made to the appeal
for funds. The sanitary Authority set on about 40 men to clear the snow from the streets, paying 2d

per hour for single men and 3d for married men.
THE GIRLS INSTITUTE: 53 Girls attended social games and provided with tea, cake & mince pies.
The evening closed with a song, a hymn and a prayer.

1891
East Suff Gaz 13 Jan 
1891
East Suff Gaz 13 Jan 

SKATING COMPETITIONS: Arranged by the Mayor on Saturday. Attracted hundreds of spectators.
A course, about 500 yards long, had been prepared above the old Bathing Place, and was kept well
cleared considering the numerous skaters present on the ice.

1891
East Suff Gaz 13 Jan 
TOWN COUNCIL: 1.)  Gildhall Barn tiles to be pointed and repairs to the Stable.
Beccles Newspapers from 1891 
David Lindley, Jan 2003 
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2.) Wash Lane premises occupied by James Spatchett recognised as a cow-keeper’s.
3.) During the year 73 deaths & 202 births registered.. The deaths the smallest number for 20 years.

1891
East Suff Gaz 13 Jan 

THE DISTRESS AT BECCLES: Owing to the severe weather of the past seven weeks much distress
exists  amongst  the  poor.  The  Mayor  convened  a  meeting:  The  Deputy  Mayor,  ,  Rev  R  Dowe,

(curate), WH Muncaster, LH Colls, J Sharp, Wm Crowfoot, EB Crowfoot, A Woods, JK Garrod, C
Smith, Dr Metcalfe, NW Pells,  E Masters, TA Woodroffe,  E Watson,  A Pells, H Hopson, T Pert,

HW Cutting, JP Larkman, WF Spaull, Mr Angell (Town Clerk) took minutes.
Decided to employ men clearing snow, discover who was in real need and help them rather than the
men who hung around the streets, were not hard working men. Committee to consider the situation.

 
 
1891
East Suff Gaz 13 Jan 

Meetings  of  delegates  from  Towns  of  East  Suffolk  to  complain  of  the  County  Council  ROADS
BUDGET. Beccles delegates: Thomson Wilson, MF Buck, NW Pells. Council should pay entire cost
of roads & paths in Towns.

1891
East Suff Gaz 20 Jan 

WEATHER: Stoppage of Water & Gas supplies being frozen. Water is being supplied by men of the
water company going the rounds from the Mains, which have not been affected
FIRE in LONDON ROAD at house of Mr Saul [11] London Road. Fire in woodwork in 1st storey.

1891
East Suff Gaz 20 Jan 

Little damage, a little more to [No 9] next door occupied by Miss Ecclestone.
TEA FOR 200 UNEMPLOYED men, women and children: arranged by members of the Lodge “ Do
Right and Far Not” . Music and recitations were given.

1891
East Suff Gaz 20 Jan 
1891
East Suff Gaz 20 Jan 

PUBLICATION of JORDAN’S ALMANACK for 1891 giving very full description of the Town and
its people. Cheap at 2d.
UNEMPLOYMENT estimated at 200, with 900 dependent families.

1891
1891

East Suff Gaz 20 Jan 
East Suff Gaz 20 Jan 

TOWN  COUNCIL  :1.)    Minutes  of  previous  Meeting:  “the  proposed  roadway  from  Northgate,
application made to the Local Government Board for permission to borrow £200”.
2) Discussion as to the need for an extra policeman in Beccles. There were at present 4 policemen to

 
 

cope with 8565, including the villages around. Mr Walton had applied for an extra policeman, but the
Mayor was opposed to it. He said there was very little crime in Beccles and another policeman would

cause problems. The matter remained unresolved.
RELIEF COMMITTEE: The Mayor said that £114 had been given so far and other money promised.

1891
1891

East Suff Gaz 20 Jan 
East Suff Gaz 27 Jan 

SCIENCE  &  ART  CLASS  inspected  in  “surprise”  visit.  Highly  commended.  “One  of  the  most
genuine efforts in the direction of higher education it has been his duty to visit”.

1891
East Suff Gaz 27 Jan 

ACCIDENT: George Mouel,  a  carter    employed  by Messrs J Crisp  loading  cinders neat the Cut,
caught by rearing horse and jammed against palings and caught under overturned cart.. Injured.
Tea & Magic Lantern show given to 200 children of unemployed.

1891
1891

East Suff Gaz 27 Jan 
East Suff Gaz 27 Jan 

CONGREGATIONAL MEETING; 4 members had  died, but overall increase  of 16 in membership.
The arrangements for the building  of the Minister’s House were well  advanced and building would
commence in the Spring., the greater part of the costs coming from the Mill Lands Endowment. 

1891
East Suff Gaz 3 Feb 

RELIEF COMMITTEE: The weather  having  changed  it was decided to  keep the fund  intact (with
about £50 in hand) until April, in case bad weather occurred again. The Rector, Rev Rowsell & Rev
Muncaster (Congregational Minister) spoke of excellent, non sectarian co-operation in Committee.

1891
East Suff Gaz 10 Feb 

DINNER  given by Mayor to Firemen,, Corporation  employees, Policemen and Postmen numbering
50 in all at Kings Head. Capt Allen, in charge of firemen toasted with them.
RAILWAY  UNION  meeting   at   White  Horse,   addressed  by  General   Secretary.   Said   252,000

1891
East Suff Gaz 10 Feb 

railwaymen worked 13 hours a day, 160,000 for 14 hours, 58,000 for 16 hours, 28,000 for 17 hours
and 26,000 for 18 hours a day.
PRIMROSE LEAGUE MEETING addressed by Mr WM Crowfoot:  Liberals  aiming to disestablish

1891
East Suff Gaz 10 Feb 

the Church and to throw out religious teaching in schools. They might almost give up the teaching of
morality altogether.
FIRST  RAILWAY  DINNER  attended  by  day  shift  of  50  at  King’s  Head>  Mayor  in  Chair;  JL

1891
East Suff Gaz 17 Feb 

Wilkinson,  Stationmaster,  Mr  Hammond,  chief  goods  clerk,  Mr  Meehan,  chief  clerk  in  Booking
Office. Mayor said  if they  considered the stations now with what they were a  few years  ago, they

could not be struck with the great amount of energy that had been shown. He would be glad to see
their hours of work cut.

1891
East Suff Gaz 24 Feb 

SHIPPING NEWS: The SS Elsy sailed on 18th; The Jeanie Hope arrived on 20th, SS Ancil arrived
on 22nd

1891
1891

East Suff Gaz 24 Feb 

SECOND RAILWAY DINNER at White Lion. 50 people present.
TOWN COUNCIL: Approval  for  a pathway to  join Northgate to Ravensmere  approved {Wilson’s
Pathway] to cost £200. to be paid for by 10 bonds of £20. The first to be repaid after 1 year, and the

East Suff Gaz 24 Feb 

others in sequence over 10 years, giving 4% interest.
RAILWAY ACCIDENT on London Road Crossing. Goods train 2 hours late in fog. Gate open with
team of four horses and waggon crossing. Only one horse hit by train and no people.

1891
East Suff Gaz 24 Feb 
1891
East Suff Gaz 3 Mar 
LETTER FROM THE MAYOR to the GE Railway Company:. I am so frequently hearing complaints
Beccles Newspapers from 1891 
David Lindley, Jan 2003 
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about the want of necessary accommodation for passengers at Beccles Railway Station, that I venture
to write to you on the subject, in the earnest hope that you will give the matter your kind and earnest

attention.... Passengers are constantly put to much inconvenience and discomfort. I would venture to
suggest that your Directors should erect an entirely new station here.

1891
1891

East Suff Gaz 10 Mar 

SALE OF FURNITURE  of late Mrs Leavold at 1 Norfolk Terrace, STATION ROAD.
ADVERTISEMENT:  BOOTS  AND  SHOES:  Stead  &  Simpson,  the  largest  Manufacturers  in  the

East Suff Gaz 17 Mar 

World, will open their New Branch Shop at Beccles on Friday next, March 20th, New Market Place,
Beccles
A WHERRY  SUNK:  carrying  a  quantity  of  flour for Mr RJ Read,  Ingate  Mills,  during  a heavy

1891
East Suff Gaz 24 Mar 

squall near the railway swing bridge on the Waveney.
VESTRY   MEETING:   Mr   Parker,   churchwarden   in   the   Chair;   Overseers:   JM   Brundell,   TA
Woodroffe, A Pells, H Hopson

1891
East Suff Gaz 24 Mar 

1891
1891
 

East Suff Gaz 24 Mar 

MEETING of SUFFOLK CONGREGATIONAL UNION at Beccles. (long article)
THE NEW MANSE , Frederick’s Road:
The  proceedings  at  the  luncheon  were  timed  so  that  there  was  just  time  to  reach  the  site  of  the

East Suff Gaz 24 Mar 
 

minister’s  new house by the  hour fixed for laying the memorial stone by Mr. Ford Goddard. There
was a goodly attendance at this ceremonial, and fortunately the weather was fine, though a biting cold
wind gave an unpleasant reminder of the month. A liberal display of bunting adorned the part of the

building  already  erected.  The  Rev.  W.  H.  Muncaster  commenced  the  proceedings  by  reading  the
contents of a paper which was afterwards deposited in a bottle beneath the stone, as follows:
“With the voice of prayer and praise the memorial stone of this house was laid on March 19th, 1891,

 
 

by D. Ford Goddard. Esq., of Ipswich, secretary of the Suffolk CongregationaI Union, in the presence
of that Union assembled for its annual meeting at Beccles.
The house, which is  intended for the use of  successive ministers of the Congregational  Church  at

 
 

Beccles, was built by the Mill Land Trustees out of the endowment under their control, and the fund
was raised and supplemented by the free-will offerings of the Church and congregation to the amount

of over £300. With this record are included (1) the programme of the Suffolk Congregational Union
meetings,  (2)  the  annual  report  of  the  Union,  (3)  the  current  number  of  the  Beccles  and  London

newspapers,   and   copies   of   the   North   Suffolk   Congregational   Magazine   and   Tacket-street
Congregational  Union.  The   coins   of  the  realm  were  not   included   in  this   deposit,   but  were

subsequently laid  upon the stone  and  applied to the practical purpose of fencing  and laying out the
property for which at the time of writing a further sum of £50 is required. That this house may be the
scene  for  many   generations   of   godly   living,  sturdy  thinking,  patient  study,   and  sympathetic

intercourse with those seeking to lead  anew the  life of Christ  upon the earth  ; that no sorrow may
descend upon it that God shall not use to enrich the ministry of His servants, and no joys be theirs
which shall not make them better messengers of the glad tidings, is the prayer of the minister of to-

day, who in humility and thankfulness writes this record.”
The stone, bearing the inscription “The Manse, 1891,” was then lowered to its place, and declared to
be well and truly laid by Mr. Goddard, who said he was delighted to do anything that lay in his power

 
 

to promote the interest of the Congregational . Union  and the  churches  connected with it.  It was  a
good precedent, though not the first one by a long way, set by this Church, in building a manse for its
to minister,  and  it was  a matter worthy of the  consideration  of  all  free  churches that they should

provide a residence for the ministers, especially in rural districts where the people were poor, that so
they might minimise the anxieties, already too great, on the men bearing the banner of the Master in
the  forefront  rank  of  the  battle.  The  house  ought  not  to  be  regarded  as  part  of  the  salary  of  the

minister, but the day was coming, he trusted, when it would be a matter of course that the minister
should have  a proper  house to  lire in.  It was  an indication  of the strength  and  growth  of the free
churches in this country when they built houses for their ministers. They ought to be very grateful for

the  large  amount  of  religious  liberty  and toleration which they  enjoyed  as Nonconformists;  but  he
reminded them they  did  not  ask for toleration  only,  but  for  equality — (hear,  hear) — not to  be

levelled down to those who needed the assistance of the State, but rather that they should be levelled
up to them; that they should all be made equal in social status and position in the country. (Applause.)

 
 

The Rev. Muncaster thanked Mr. Goddard for his kind services, and Rev. A. A. Dowsett having im-
plored  God’s  blessing  upon  the  work  and  the  house  when  built,  the  Doxology  was  sung  and  a

collection was taken as suggested in the record.

1891
THE CHURCH TOWER: Mr. Churchwarden Parker next introduced the question of the church tower. Most of them would  

East Suff Gaz 31 Mar 

probably have seen the report from Sir A. Blomfield. Since having that report the churchwardens had
specifications drawn  up  and  also  detailed  estimates, and photographs showing the  different stones

which ought to be removed. It was important that the work should be done thoroughly, and the only
Beccles Newspapers from 1891 
David Lindley, Jan 2003 
5

difficulty they found was  in the providing  of the means to  carry  it out. If  left  in the hands  of the
churchwardens he was not likely to see the end of it, because it would take at least twenty years. The

total estimated cost would be between £500 and £600 — nearer £600 than £500.
If the whole of the work was carried out at once there might be some reduction in the cost. What they

 
 

wanted was some  one to propose that a committee be formed to act in conjunction with the Rector
and churchwardens, in order to canvass the town and neighbourhood for the money required.

 
 

Mr. Rix inquired whether it was absolutely necessary that anything should be done? What prospect
was there of any more stones falling out? He maintained that they were proposing to destroy the most
interesting monument in the town, and to erect in its place a model, and that simply because a stone

fell out last autumn. Was it probable any more would fall?
Mr. Parker Yes,
Mr. Rix: Which ?  and what possible harm could be done, if the path remained blocked ?

 
 

 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

Mr Parker: Suppose any of the stones fell out, and injured any one ?
Mr. Rix: An accident of that kind might happen, but it was very improbable.
Mr. Parker: Stones had previously fallen, and there was a danger of their still falling.

 
 

Mr. Rix  believed  he represented a large portion of those  best  able to  judge,  and  he thought there
would be very great objection to touching the tower.
Mr. Parker: I feel it my duty—

 
 

 
 

Mr. Rix: I am not blaming you in the least, but I should propose that nothing be done in the matter.
Mr. Crowfoot said his views were diametrically opposed to Mr. Rix’s. To his certain knowledge four
fragments had fallen from four different places in the tower during the last few years. If one of those

 
 

fragments had  fallen  on  any persons it would  certainly  have  killed them. The  one which fell  last
fractured the stout iron railings. Were they, as churchwardens, justified in permitting such a state of
things to go on? And on whose shoulders would rest the blame if any such accident did occur? Any

one of those fragments might have caused death. Children were constantly playing round this tower.
It was quite true the Corporation had closed the path, and he thought they were quite right to do so;

but how long would they be willing to close one of the public ways of the town? Then, as regards the
beauty  of  the  tower,  in  his  opinion  it  had  been  seriously  impaired  already  by  the  neglect  of  the

church-wardens.  The   beautiful   mouldings  of  the  tower  were  slowly   crumbling  away,   and   its
ornaments were so far destroyed that it was difficult to find sufficient patterns for restoration.

 
 

The churchwardens were anxious to get the best opinion they could, and after due consultation with a
gentleman who took an interest in archaeology, they applied to Sir A. Blomfield, who, if he did not
know, ought to. In other technical  questions the best thing one could do was to take the opinion of

some one who knew. In medical matters that was the advice they gave their patients, and that was the
course the  churchwardens  had  adopted  in this matter.  Sir A. Blomfield said: “The buttresses  have
suffered most particularly in the twenty-three feet between the top of the base mouldings and the first

string course, which portion is almost entirely of Caen stone. The whole of this stage is in more or
less decayed, loose, and crumbling condition; but especially so in the southern buttresses at the south-
east  corner,  which  is  in  a  decidedly  dangerous  state  -  so  much  so  that  the  greater  portion  of  the

southern face threatens to fall out bodily at no distant date.” No stronger expression could be used.
The churchwardens were very anxious to perfect this immediately if they could. Masons were sent up
to  patch  it  where  required,  but  they  were  afraid  to  do  anything,  and  reported  the  stones  to  be

crumbling and loose. He considered that was a disgraceful state for the tower to be left in, and that
the churchwardens would be grossly neglecting their duty if they did not do everything they could to
get this state of things altered. All restoration might be represented as destructive, but in his opinion

that was all nonsense and clap-trap. He thought they ought to be doing something to remedy the state
of the tower, but at the same time he was willing to be guided by the feeling of the inhabitants. He
should like to be supported by the general feeling of the town, but he felt so strongly that something

should be done that he did not like to stand still in the matter. He therefore supported in the heartiest
manner the suggestion made by Mr Parker that a representative committee be appointed to look into

the matter.
The Mayor  remarked that the tower was  one of the monuments  of the town,  and  considering the

 
 

statements they had heard it was the duty of the churchwardens to take the greatest care to preserve
this interesting and ancient structure. He quite thought a committee should be appointed to take the

whole matter into consideration, and that after due consideration a public meeting should be called in
the Town Hall [Public Hall], and the sense of the inhabitants taken as to the best means for raising the
money to carry out the work. The  question  of the safety of the tower appealed to  every one  in the

town, nonconformists as well as churchmen, and every one should have an opportunity of expressing
his opinion on the subject. It was of the greatest importance that the original character of the tower
should be maintained, and he thought it desirable that the sense of the town should be taken promptly;

 
 
Mr. Angell suggested that some intermediate course might be adopted in repairing the tower. When
Beccles Newspapers from 1891 
David Lindley, Jan 2003 
6

once it was thoroughly restored, he should look upon it as gone.
Mr. Parker: The difficulty when they began was to know where to leave off. (Hear, hear.) Once they

 
 

began to remove the stones it was possible that a great many others would fall. The churchwardens
wished to do the work thoroughly.

 
 

Mr. Angell: I say let us do as little as possible. There were two views presented to them. One. was to
make the tower safe for passers by, and one was to make  “a good job” of it. He was entirely opposed

to the latter view. Make it safe, but do nothing that could be left to a future time. To “make a neat job
of it” was calculated to destroy it.
Mr.  Crowfoot  said  it  was  intended  not  to  remove  a  single  stone  that  could  be  retained.  Sir  A.

 
 

Blomfield recommended that “all the old details of moulding should  be carefully reproduced in the
new work, and wherever  any stones were found in  a fairly sound  and perfect state, they should  he
preserved untouched.” No one was anxious to do one farthing more than was absolutely necessary to

prevent the tower from falling down. He would not act as churchwarden unless something was done.
He would refuse to act, because it was a serious matter, and he did not feel justified in being guardian
of a building which might topple down. Unless something was done he should resign.

 
 

Mr. A. Pells  asked if it was intended to use  nothing  but stone  in  repairing the tower. There was  a
cement now much used in the restoration of stonework of churches, monuments, and statues, which
avoided the necessity of removing the stones. All the old work in good condition could be retained,

and  the  decayed  portions  restored  to  their  original  design,  and  the  colour  of  the  original  stone
matched, by the use of this cement. It had been used in work under Sir A. Blomfield, and amongst
others in restoring the House of Lords and St. Paul’s cathedral.

 
 

The Mayor thought there was a misapprehension that needed correction. It was not intended to spend
£600 if the work of restoration could be done for a less sum. What was in their minds was simply to
make the tower safe. If a public  meeting were  called those present  could  control the  amount to  be

spent. He fully  agreed with Mr. Crowfoot,  and were  he  in his place he should most  emphatically
object to act as churchwarden so long as the tower remained in its present condition.

 
 

Mr. Angell: The churchwardens must of course take care the stones did not fall, but there should be
great care not to do more than was necessary.

 
 

Mr. Parker said if good practical men were elected on the committee they could advise and assist the
churchwardens. They were not anxious to spend £600 if the work could be done for less. He felt with

Mr.  Crowfoot  if  the  present  conditions  went  on  he  most  decline  responsibility.  If  they  thought  it
better let the Mayor be requested to call a public meeting.
Mr. Angell said rather than go in the direction of church restoration he would prefer a stone falling on

 
 

his head. The £600 would probably turn into £1200 before “a good job” was made of it.
Mr. A. Pells said some money ought to be spent on one of the buttresses, bat as little should be spent
as possible.

 
 

 
 

 
 

After a few remarks from Mr. Hopson in support of the work being done,
Mr. C. Thwaites detailed the results of  his  examination  of the tower, which he said was  made  of
brick, and was very substantial and sound. The facing was of stone, and varied from 4 to 6 inches in

thickness. The stones had fallen out in places, and others were disintegrated, and their strength gone,
they crumbled at the merest touch. It was only proposed to deal with those stones in the  buttresses
which had been destroyed and needed to be replaced if the fabric was to be maintained. The casing of

the tower being so thin, and the bond very infrequent, if one portion was interfered with of course it
must  all  come  down.  The  greatest  care  would  have  to  be  taken  when  any  stone  was  removed  to
prevent the fall of others.

 
 

Mr.  Crowfoot  Do  you  think  anything  could  be  done  to  patch  up  the  tower,  to  replace  the  stones
actually fallen  away,  and prevent things  from  going worse, by doing  anything  actually short of the
work included in the estimates sent in to the churchwardens?

 
 

Mr. Thwaites: No,  certainly  not. It was  impressed  upon we very strongly that was the  basis  upon
which the estimates were to be made.

 
 

 
 

Mr. Crowfoot: Their desire is to do as little as possible.
Mr. Thwaites, The first instruction I received was to that effect. Interfere as little as possible with the

old work, but the structure must be rendered safe and prevented from further damaging itself.
Mr. Crowfoot proposed that the vestry request the Mayor to call  a public  meeting to  consider the

 
 

condition of the tower and to do what is requisite.
Mr. Hockey seconded, and the motion was carried nem. con.
DATE of CENSUS 5 April: It took some months to publish results:

 
1891

 
Census Date 5 April 
 
 

The population of Beccles was 6669. The industries were printing, coachbuilding and engineering, so
the town was not dependent on any single industry.
Nearly one third of population live in towns of more than 100,000 people compared to one eighth in

 
 
France. Of the 4 million women workers, at least one and a quarter million are “in service”.
Beccles Newspapers from 1891 
David Lindley, Jan 2003 
7

 
 

 
 

BECCLES; almost every week in newspapers advertisements for servants:
Wanted as General or Kitchen Maid; age 20 - Apply Cole’s Green, Framlingham. [25/10/92]

 
 

 
 

As under-housemaid in Gentleman’s family, age 18 years; good character; Scole Rectory [25/10/92]
Wanted, thorough HOUSE Parlour-MAID, age between 20 and 30; wages £18 and beer money; must

be a good churchwoman; Mrs Cleaver, Pulham St Mary. [25/10/92]
Wanted,  Head  Laundry  Maid;  also  under  Housemaid,  and  a  Kitchen  Maid.  Apply  Housekeeper,

 
 

Benhall Lodge, Saxmundham, . [25/10/92]
BECCLES LAUNDRY has opened in SMALLGATE, Mrs Ward, manageress
FUNERAL of MISS MARY CROWFOOT interred in the family vault in Beccles Churchyard. Large

1891
1891

East Suff Gaz 7 Apr 
East Suff Gaz 7 Apr 

congregation. Mr FC Woods played the organ. She was 80.
DEATH of Mr RH Chester in his residence in Station Road. He was 77. His life was devoted to the
Printing business. His father was overseer in the printing office of William Clowes, the founder of the

1891
East Suff Gaz 7 Apr 

firm, and Mr Chester served his apprenticeship in that office. Moved to Blakie’s in Glasgow, Bath,
then to Harrison’s. Manager at Smith & Elder’s. Mentioned in “Fors Clavigera” by Ruskin as helper,
and often invited to his breakfast table  at Oxford. Once  he  breakfasted with Thackeray, Dickens,

Ruskin and Charlotte Bronte. He had many letters from Ruskin. He moved to Beccles about 17 years
ago.
RECTOR’S EASTER OFFERING Town canvassed to give good offering -- £152, to make up for the  

1891
East Suff Gaz 7 Apr 

inadequate value of the living. Rector thanked them for their liberality.
ACCIDENT to Mr John Read, dealer & shopkeeper. Horse bought at sale, jibed violently, broke out
of its harness and bolted. John Read an brother thrown out of cart at top of Peddar’s Lane. Injured.

1891
East Suff Gaz 14 Apr 

1891
 
 

East Suff Gaz 14 Apr 

COUNCIL MEETING: 1.) House for Mr Delf in Grange Road designed by A Pells approved.
2.) eight new houses near St George’s Road for Mr SC Turner approved
3.) Plans for alteration to the Foundry belonging to Elliott & Garrood approved.

 
 

1891
East Suff Gaz 21 Apr 

HADINGHAM’S TOWER MILL  changing  from stone-milling  system to roller process put  in  by
Messrs ER Turner, 82 Mark Lane London.

1891
East Suff Gaz 21 Apr 

NEW WING TO St BENET’S PRIORY: Intended shortly to open a new wing, which is to be used
for the present as a church. In its complete stage the wing now in erection will consist of two stories,

with three rooms on the  ground  floor  and three  on the first floor. But, as  now being  built, the new
wing  consists of the permanent  ground floor with  a temporary roof on,  and  a temporary porch and

windows, thus forming a church capable of holding a congregation of about 150 people, and the little
temporary chapel now in use will be used as a sacristy. When finally complete St Benet’s Priory will
form three sides of a square. The west or kitchen wing is complete. The centre wing will consist of

the sacristy and priests’ living rooms, and the east wing will form the church.
THE PROPOSED RESTORATION OF BECCLES CHURCH TOWER.
A  public  meeting,  convened  by  the  Mayor  (Major  Wilson),  was  held  at  the  Council  chamber  on

1891
 

East Suff Gaz 21 Apr 
 

Thursday afternoon, to take into  consideration the repair or restoration  of the  church tower. There
were present: the Mayor and Deputy-Mayor; the Rector (Rev. J. Rowsell); Messrs. W. M. Crowfoot
and C. F. Parker, churchwardens; Dr. W. A. Wright, Mr. G. B. Angell, Mr. E. B. Crowfoot, Mr. T. A.

Woodroffe, Mr. E. Masters, and Mr. C. Thwaites.
The Mayor read a letter he had received from the Rev. J. H. Raven, who was in sympathy with the
object of the meeting, and then said he would not take up their time by making any remarks, because

 
 

Mr.  Crowfoot   and  Mr.  Parker,  the   churchwardens,  would   deliver   exhaustive   statements  with
reference to what it was proposed to do. He thought a very wrong impression had got abroad, in the
idea that the churchwardens were contemplating the building of a brand-new tower. It was nothing of

the kind. What they proposed to do was to make the structure of the tower safe by replacing any of
the loose stones which were at present in a dangerous condition.
Mr.  W.  M.  Crowfoot  said  he  had  already,  on  one  or  two  occasions,  stated  the  facts  which  had

 
 

preceded the calling of this meeting, and what had been done with regard to the repair of the church
tower. The matter was first forced upon the attention of the churchwardens by the falling of a large

stone from one of the buttresses which broke one of the iron railings, and which of course might have
inflicted serious  injury upon  any one passing  at the time. That was  only  one  of  a series  of stones

which  had  fallen  at  intervals  from  the  buttresses  of  the  tower,  and  which  seemed  to  speak  very
strongly to the fact that the tower was in an unsafe and unsound condition, so far as the outer coating

was concerned, and that it was desirable something should be done to prevent such accidents for the
future.
After due consideration, the church. wardens, being fully impressed with the beauty of the tower and

 
 

their own ignorance with regard to what steps should be taken as to the material to be employed, or
the  extent  to  which  the  repairs  should  be  effected,  determined  to  get  as  good  an  opinion  as  they
possibly could on the matter; and  after  consulting with certain friends in the neighbourhood,  it was

decided that  Sir A. Blomfield should  be requested to  come  down and  inspect the tower, and  give  a
Beccles Newspapers from 1891 
David Lindley, Jan 2003 
8

written statement of what work  is thought should  be  done.  Sir A. Blomfield did  come  down  and
prepared a statement which appeared in the East Suffolk Gazette; in which he said that the decayed

stones should be removed and replaced by other stones. Mr. Crowfoot read the full report prepared by
Mr. Blomfield, laying particular stress  upon the statement “that the  buttresses  have suffered most

particularly in the twenty-three feet between the top of the base mouldings and the first string course,
which portion is  in a more  or  less decayed, loose, and rumbling  condition;  but  especially so in the

southern buttresses at the south-east corner, which in a decidedly dangerous state — so much so that
the greater portion of the southern face threatens to fall out bodily at no distant date. . .  If they are to
be maintained the substantial and thorough repair of this lower part should be undertaken as soon as

possible.”  Sir A. Blomfield further informed the Rector and Mr. Parker (he had  not the pleasure of
meeting him himself), that he did not wish to undertake the work himself — it was not a job in which
they should be put to the expense of employing him, but he thought any local architect would be quite

able to superintend and carry out the work referred to in his report.
Thereupon, in order to get some sort of estimate as to the expense of the work required to be done,
the  churchwardens  instructed  Mr.  Thwaites  to  draw  up  specifications  in  accordance  with  Sir  A.

 
 

Blomfield’s report.
Mr. Thwaites  obtained photographs of the south-western and south-eastern buttresses  of the tower,
which showed very accurately indeed the condition of all the stones; and he then proceeded to draw

 
 

up very elaborate specifications, numbering all the courses of stones from the base to the top of the
buttresses,  and  numbering  the  stones  in  each  course.  And  he  got  up  a  ladder  and  examined  the
individual stones, and tested, so far as he was able, the condition of each stone, and marked all those

which in his opinion required to be removed and renewed. These specifications were then submitted
to the local stonemasons, and tenders were sent in for the work, the lowest tender amounting to £186.
That  was  for  doing  such  repairs  as  would  be  considered  absolutely  necessary  to  the  stonework

between the base of the  buttresses  and the top of the buttresses  — not the  intervening face  of the
tower. He thought there had been two erroneous opinions abroad in regard to this work. The first was

that the churchwardens wished to do more than absolutely necessary to secure the safety of the stone
work of the tower — that they wished to undertake or enter upon a general restoration or reconstruc-

tion of the stonework—which was altogether contrary to their intentions. They desired to do as little
as they could — simply to place the structure in such a condition that loose stones would not be liable

to fall on the heads of passers-by, and so do away with the necessity of the present notice boards and
the closing of a public path.
Mr. Angell: Then you will be perfectly at one with everybody else.

 
 

 
 

Mr. Crowfoot (laughing heartily) I hope so, that is the object I have in view to show how unanimous
we are. That letter which Mr. Raven had written to the Mayor, and which he had had the privilege of
talking over with him since he wrote it, really expressed exactly what the churchwardens wished to

do — simply to replace the stones which  it was absolutely necessary to replace, and to use the old
material so far as it was possible to do so.
Mr. Angell If you remember, Mr. Parker put before the vestry work which was to cost £700.

 
 

 
 

Mr. Crowfoot: I was coming to that directly. The first misconception he wished to remove was that
they were  going   do more than was  absolutely  necessary to  render the tower  safe  and prevent the
stonework from flaking and falling down; and the second point was that they expected, intended, or

wished to raise a sum of £600 for the work to be taken in hand. They never anticipated being able to
do that, nor did they wish to put that idea forward.
Mr. Angell: The  £700 was  an  estimate shown to us,  and evidently was the  amount  of money pat

 
 

before us to be expended; so at it was not altogether unthought of.
Mr. Crowfoot explained how the £600 was arrived at. The work for which they had received a tender
was the face of the buttresses looking towards the south — the south-east and south-west buttresses,

 
 

forming one-fourth part of the buttresses of the tower. There were eight buttresses, each being double,
and  as the  buttresses on the south-east and south-west were to  cost  £130 to £160,  a simple sum  in

arithmetic would indicate that to do all the buttresses would cost £600. And he thought, therefore, it
was not very difficult to see how that sum had been arrived at. Now he did not think they would get

£600 at once; but if they could succeed in raising £100 they would be very well satisfied, because the
churchwardens having £60 at their disposal, £100 more would enable them to do the work for which

they had an estimate; and if that work proved to be a benefit to the tower he did not think there would
be any very great difficulty at some future time in raising the remainder of the £600 to do the rest of
the tower, because his experience of Beccles people was that if they saw a work was well done and

were satisfied with it there was not much difficulty in getting money from them. He had always found
them very ready and willing to contribute to any  good work started  amongst them. With reference
furthermore to Mr. Raven’s  letter,  he might state that Mr. Raven had  not seen  Sir A. Blomfield’s

report  at all. He  had  got an  idea, which  he (the speaker) was  afraid might  have  been  more or less
Beccles Newspapers from 1891 
David Lindley, Jan 2003 
9

prevalent, that somebody or other wished to make a job out of it; and he assured Mr. Raven there was
no desire on the part of Sir A. Blomfield or anybody else to make a job of it.

 
 

 
 

Mr. Angell: You are quoting words I used.
Mr. Crowfoot: I beg your pardon, I am not referring to you. This was what Mr. Raven said.

 
 

 
 

Mr. Angell: I did not use the words in that sense at all.
Mr. Crowfoot: Mr. Raven—not yourself—told me he thought somebody must wish to make a job out

of it -- in fact that Sir A Blomfield wished to do so, until I told him to the contrary. He had fancied
Sir A Blomfield would superintend the work, and that we would have a very heavy bill to pay him;
but  I  assured  him  it  was  a  mistake,  but  that  nobody  wished  to  make  a  job  out  of  it.  Mr  Raven

afterwards looked over the tower with him, and Dr Wright was also with them; and he believed the
conclusion they came to was that they must either  do  nothing  or they must do what was proposed,
viz. remove the decayed  and  crumbling  stones which it was  not safe to  leave,  and replace them by

other stones exactly like those cut out. He thought there was one other point on which they all three
agreed  about,  and that was that  it was not  desirable to touch the two  ornamental  courses  of  stone
running round the base of the tower. To do so would entail very considerable expense, and besides

they desired to maintain as much as they could the antique appearance of the tower, without allowing
it to remain in a dangerous state or in such a condition as would destroy its artistic beauty by allowing
all  the  ornamentation  to  flake  away  or  disappear  by  decay.  In  that  particular,  therefore,  it  was

proposed  to  modify  the  tenders  which  had  been  received;  and  in  order  to  bring  the  matter  to  a
practical  conclusion  he finished with the proposition, “that  a  committee  be  appointed to  assist the
Rector  and churchwardens in  carrying  out the  necessary repairs to the church tower,  and that the

committee  consist of the  following  gentlemen: the Mayor  and Deputy-Mayor, the Collector to the
Feoffees,  Mr.  E.  Masters,  Mr.  C.  Smith,  Rev.  J.  H.  Raven,  Mr.  J.  K.  Garrod,  and  Mr.  A.  R.
Clatworthy. If Dr. Wright and Mr. Angell could see their way to act he would have much pleasure in

adding their names to the committee.
Dr. Wright and Mr. Angell both expressed their willingness to assist, and their names were thereupon

 
 

added, together with Mr. W. Read and Mr. J. E. Crisp.
Mr. Angell said he should like the purpose of the  committee to be limited and strictly defined, and

 
 

that they should be in a position to quote their instructions.
Dr. Wright: That is to carry out Sir A. Blomfield’s recommendations. He is very precise in what he

 
 

recommends.
The Mayor: Do you wish that added to Mr. Crowfoot’s motion?
Mr. Crowfoot: It is an amendment I shall be willing to adopt, viz. “that a committee be appointed to

 
 

 
 

carry out Sir A. Blomfield’s report as to the work necessary for the repair of the church tower.”
Dr. Wright said  his  opinion  exactly  coincided with Mr. Crowfoot’s,  and with the majority of the
people who had been consulted, who all desired to do as little as they could to alter the appearance of

 
 

the tower. If they could make a  bargain with Time to  do  nothing, they  need  do  nothing: but Time
would  not stand still,  but would tumble these stones down,  and to prevent that they ought to take
some steps to secure the tower against further change. No one wanted to make it like a new tower or

to destroy anything which needed  not to  he  disturbed;  and he should say that  Sir A. Blomfield’s
recommendations should be followed as literally as they possibly could be.
The Rector said he saw Sir A. Blomfield in London by appointment, and he then told him what was

 
 

now before them in the report, and that it was important these repairs should be done immediately.
With regard to £600 being required, he referred to an article which had appeared in the East Suffolk
Gazette, and for which the Rector and church. wardens were responsible, in which it was stated that

the “plans had been submitted to stonemasons, and from the estimates which they have sent in, the
churchwardens  find  that  a  sum  of  £150  will  be  required  for  that  portion  of  the  work  which  it  is
proposed  first  to  take  in  hand,  and  that  for  the  complete  restoration  of  the  stonework  of  all  the

buttresses at least £600 will be needed.” So that the matter had been well before the public for some
months past.

 
 

 
 

Mr. Angell said he should like to have the resolution in writing.
Mr. Crowfoot accordingly reduced his proposition into writing.

 
 

 
 

Mr. Angell: What can you term to be necessary from Sir A. Blomfield’s report?
Mr. Crowfoot: I think you will see it there. That is what we are acting upon.

 
 

 
 

The proposition was seconded by Mr. Woodroffe and carried.
Dr. Wright moved that the work to be now done should be confined to the portion from the top of the
base mouldings to the string course of the first stage of the buttresses on the south front of the tower

facing Gurney’s bank.
This was seconded by Mr. Crowfoot and agreed to.
A subscription list was opened in the room, the amount subscribed being about £46; and a hearty vote

 
 

 
 

of thanks to the Mayor, proposed by the Rector and seconded  by Mr. Crowfoot, was unanimously
Beccles Newspapers from 1891 
David Lindley, Jan 2003 
10

adopted.
COUNCIL MEETING: New cement pathway outside [Nos 32 & 34 ] Newmarket dangerous. Cellar

1891
East Suff Gaz 21 Apr 

openings higher than pavement. Would cost £30 to put right. No decision taken.
NEW  ELEMENTARY  EDUCATION  ACT:  makes  elementary  education  free  for  all  families  in

1891
23 Apr 

England and Wales. There is to be a grant of 10s a year for all children between the ages of 3 and 15.
CHORAL  SOCIETY  CONCERT:   Soloists:  Adeline   Paget  (soprano),  AG  Langdon   (Baas),   W

1891
East Suff Gaz 28 Apr 

Tuddenham (violin); Conductor WH Williamson. Concert at 8.
ASHMAN’S  HALL;  Major  William  Worsley-Worswick  of  13  Thurloe   Sq,   SW,  registered  as
Proprietor of Mansion House & 38 acres of Land.

1891
East Suff Gaz 28 Apr 

1891
1891

East Suff Gaz 28 Apr 

CONTINUED COLD WEATHER 8 degrees of frost one night
AVOIDED  DROWNING:  5  masters  from  Beccles  College  capsized  sailing  in  Suckling’s  Reach,
within a quarter of a mile of the Lock-house. Mr Mayes of Shipmeadow helped them. Mr H Goode,

East Suff Gaz 28 Apr 

one of  the master wrote on 5 May that they were quite safe and did not need help
WHITE LION HOTEL: move of J Miles to Ye Old Swan, Notting Hill Gate.
MEETING  TO  form  BICYCLE  CLUB.  First  run  to  Loddon  on  Wednesday  stating  at  6.30  pm.

1891
1891

East Suff Gaz 5 May 
East Suff Gaz 5 May 

Entrance Fee 2s 6d.
LICENCE of Royal Oak transferred to Samuel Sutton
SALE:,  LOT  1:  SOUTH  ROAD  [Bullock’s  Lane]  late  Sarah  Leavold;  Brick  &  Slated  Double

1891
1891

East Suff Gaz 5 May 
East Suff Gaz 12 May 

Residence called Richmond Hill Cottage with large & productive Gardens, occupied by Mrs Baldry
& William Rushmer.
(Bought N Folgate £215)

 
 

 
 

LOT 2:  LAND in  SWINES GREEN suitable for  building, abutting on road from  Swine’s Green to
Ringsfield, about 1 acre, occupied by Barrington Copeman, Rent £2.
(Bought Mrs Fred Copeman £57

 
1891
 

 
East Suff Gaz 12 May 

SALE: FAIR CLOSE: Sale for J Copeman
Substantial  brick  &  tiled  Double  Residence  with  large  Hay  House,  Stable,  Cow  Shed  and  other

 

offices in rear, now occ Isiah Copeman and Mrs Suell at rent of £12.
(Withdrawn £320, sold after to JR Watson £350.)

 
1891
 

 
East Suff Gaz 12 May 

SALE: SMALLGATE: Executors of late James Mullett
[11]  Smallgate:  House  &  Green  Grocer’s  Shop  now  occupied  by  Mr  H  Edwards  whose  tenancy

 

expires at Michaelmas next, at annual Rent of £13
(Bought Mr J Clements £230)
[18]   Valuable   Freehold   property   consisting   of   substantial   Residence   &   Shop,   with   spacious

 
1891

 
East Suff Gaz 12 May 

Warehouse, Granary, & offices in rear.
(Withdrawn at £110, afterwards purchased By Mr HS Gobbitt for£140 - see 2 May 1890, withdrawn
at £300)

 
 

1891
1891

East Suff Gaz 12 May 

MUFFLED PEAL on church bells for late Captain Moore
RAILWAY EXCURSION TICKETS over Whitsun to Aldeburgh, Yarmouth and Lowestoft, also to
London for 5 or 8 days.

East Suff Gaz 12 May 
1891
East Suff Gaz 12 May 

PRIZE  POULTRY  in  Yorkshire  won  by  HG  Lawrance  of  Station  Road  for  a  Black  Rosecomb
cockerel.
WHITE  LION BOWLING CLUB revived  under new management of Mr Bloom. President, Mr J

1891
East Suff Gaz 12 May 

Foyster & 100 members.
COUNCIL:  1.) Messrs HB  Smith &  Sons & Mr C Chase not to place  articles  for  sale on public
pavements or streets. Surveyor to report on projections, advertisements etc in the town.

1891
East Suff Gaz 12 May 

 
1891
 

 

2.) Plan of new buildings submitted by Mr Allen for Mrs Copeman in  [46?] Blyburgate approved.
POOR RATE of 1s 8d in the pound for the half year collected in two lots of 10d in the pound.
Required for: Guardians £702; School Board £200; Burial Board £150; Borough Rate £400.

East Suff Gaz 12 May 
 
1891
East Suff Gaz 26 May 

TOWER RESTORATION: Mr Allen’s Tender for £200 for repairing 6 buttresses accepted. Work to
commence forthwith 

 
 
1891
East Suff Gaz 26 May 

CATHOLIC CHURCH: June  4th Opening of Temporary Chapel.  10  am High Mass  celebrated  by
Very  Rev  JC  Fowler,  Prior  of  S  Gregory’s  Monastery,  Downside.  Preacher  Rev  Walter  Croke

Robinson, Fellow of New College, Oxford.  St Benet’s under the Benedictine Order.
UNIONIST MEETING at Beccles: Mr WM Crowfoot presided. & said: He was in favour of present

1891
East Suff Gaz 26 May 

Government’s  line  on  Ireland.  &  if  Ireland  was  governed  in  accordance  with  the  same  lines  as
England was governed, material prosperity would be restored to that country.. They wished to put a
stop to intimidation  and  boycotting,  but also to relieve the misery and the want and  distress which

existed in the south and west of Ireland, and which was a source of much discontent.
(Bought Mrs Fred Copeman £57

 
 
Beccles Newspapers from 1891 
David Lindley, Jan 2003 
11

1891
1891

East Suff Gaz 2 Jun 

LICENCE: Walter Powell of Norwich to be licence of Marquis of Granby.
BECCLES GAS CO, Chairman WM Crowfoot; Profit £757. Dividend of 9% or 8% (depends when

East Suff Gaz 2 Jun 

bought)
SUICIDE of Beccles man, Henry Leah aged 66. Drowned in the Waveney near the Bridge, He was a

1891
East Suff Gaz 2 Jun 

sub-inspector on the Railway and lived at Elizabeth House, Ravensmere..
LETTER ON RESTORATION of Beccles Church

1891
1891

East Suff Gaz 2 Jun 
East Suff Gaz 2 Jun 

MISSING PAGE of News
SALE FURNITURE : by Mr SR Hamilton,  leaving the Town:   2 ALBERT COTTAGES,  London
Road

1891
East Suff Gaz 23 Jun 

1891
1891

East Suff Gaz 23 Jun 

SALE OF FURNITURE: of Charles Geer, (who is leaving the Town)  STATION ROAD
COUNCIL: Sale of 7 & a half perches of land to the Railway for the new bridge without steps at the
Station.. Level Crossing there to be abolished.

East Suff Gaz 23 Jun 
1891
East Suff Gaz 30 Jun 

VULCAN  IRON  WORKS  produced  a  Compound  Tandem  Portable  Engine,  shown  at  the  Royal
Shows.
YOUTH Drowned  in Waveney. Three youths  hired  a boat on  Sunday  afternoon  from Mr Harmer,

1891
East Suff Gaz 7 Jul 

which   capsized  about half  a  mile  down river  from the Quay. One  could swim, but the  other two
could not. One held on to  an  oar until  he was rescued, but Joseph  Webb aged  17 from Gillingham
was drowned. None of them knew how to sail, although one had been in a sailing boat previously on

a  calm day.  There was some  criticism of Mr Harmer for  not checking thoroughly that the youths
could sail  before they  hired the boat. There were  no  rules  about this.Richard Gilding  of Beccles,
waterman,  dragged  the  river  and  found  the  body  after  half  an  hour.  He  mentioned  that  he  had

recovered  16  bodies  from  the  river.  [in  1881  listed  as  Railway  Labourer,  then  aged  43,  living  in
Northgate, married with 5 children]
ADVERTISEMENT: Robert J Read, Ingate Mills, also at Market Place & Town Score; Thanks for

1891
East Suff Gaz 14 Jul 

support for 15 years. He has reconstructed his mills on the most recent improved process with Roller
Machinery by Whitmore & Binyon of Whickham Market. All kinds of Grain, Feeding Meals, Malt &

Hops.
MEETINGS held in Darby’s Room in Smallgate. The original part of the Quaker Hall buildings?

1891
1891

East Suff Gaz 14 Jul 
East Suff Gaz 14 Jul 

NEARLY DROWNED: On Sunday morning two young men Seymour Goff & Charles Wyatt were
swimming  in the old Bathing  Place &  got out of their depth. Goff  could not swim and clung  on to

Wyatt. Both went down, but Frank Woolner kept them afloat until a boat arrived and rescued them.
SCHOOL BOARD: Miss Ellen Sampson, assistant mistress in the Infants’ School; salary to be £36
pa

1891
East Suff Gaz 14 Jul 
1891
East Suff Gaz 14 Jul 

CHURCH MISSIONARY  SOCIETY:  in  Parish  Church:  B  Baring  Gould  on  Christianising  effort
amongst the great masses of our Mohammedan and Hindu fellow subjects there .
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH GUILD outing of 60 to Oulton Broad where they were conveyed

1891
East Suff Gaz 14 Jul 

by the Atalanta  Steamer. Rainy.  Substantial tea in the Congregational Chapel. On return invited to
garden of Mr & Mrs Masters [Northgate House] where they had light refreshments.
CAXTON PRESS Outing of 50  machine minders & Pressmen to Norwich by train. Dinner & Tea at

1891
East Suff Gaz 14 Jul 

the Shire Hall Tavern. Visited Cathedral, Museum, St Andrew’s Hall, Castle Gardens etc. Songs &
recitations.
CHURCH SUNDAY SCHOOL. 800  gathered  in  grounds of Ravensmere  Schools, accompanied by

1891
East Suff Gaz 14 Jul 

their  teachers,  they  proceeded,  with  much  cheering  and  banners  flying,  to  the  meadow  on  the
Worlingham Road, placed at their disposal by Mr Prime, steward to Sir Charles Clarke. The younger
scholars were conveyed in vans  lent  by Messrs Crisp, Mr Clifford  Smith  and  other merchants and

tradesmen of the town. Because of the weather the tea had to be taken in shifts in the tent, instead of
the time honoured picnic on the grass.
LICENCES: Sun from Mrs Bilke to Benjamin Reeve; Royal Oak from WR Harper to Samuel Sutton.

1891
East Suff Gaz 14 Jul 

Licence not granted of transfer for of Marquis of Granby from Mrs Hadingham to Walter Powell of
Norwich.

1891
East Suff Gaz 14 Jul 

POLICE COURT: Samuel Davy drunk & disorderly in Smallgate. Wanted to go into the Town Hall
[Public Hall] to  a meeting  of the  Salvation Army, but they would  not let  him in  because  he was

drunk. Constable advised him three times to go away, ultimately carried off by his friends.
FAUCONBERGE SCHOOL: Mr Julius Steppat appointed resident German Master.

1891
1891

East Suff Gaz 21 Jul 
East Suff Gaz 21 Jul 

INSPECTION OF RIFLE VOLUNTEERS: of G & H Companies, taken by Lieut Col Buxton on St
Mary’s Field. Lieut-Col Crowfoot attended. Good  march past at the double. Attention must be paid
to the Attack.

1891
1891
1891

East Suff Gaz 21 Jul 

YEARLY SALE by Durrants of 3,600 lambs.
ROMAN CATHOLICS: Controversy by letters on Catholicism. Letter from Hugh Edmund Ford.
RIFLE  VOLUNTEERS:  Paraded  in  full  marching  order  by  train  to  South  Denes,  where  Norfolk

East Suff Gaz 21 Jul 
East Suff Gaz 28 Jul 
Volunteers will join them. Total of 1750 of all ranks.
Beccles Newspapers from 1891 
David Lindley, Jan 2003 
12
1891
East Suff Gaz 28 Jul 

INSPECTION OF ARTILLERY VOLUNTEERS. Major Wilson the CO. on St Mary’s Field. 58 cwt
gun dismounted & remounted. Marched to Gaol Yard.

1891
East Suff Gaz 4 Aug 

THUNDERSTORM on  Sunday afternoon soon  after  5 pm. Rain fell in torrents for nearly an hour,
accompanied with hailstones as big as marbles. The streets were deluged, and many low-lying houses

were flooded. In Ingate the water in one house  occupied by a widow named Smith, was level with
the fireplace. The lightning was very severe.

1891
East Suff Gaz 4 Aug 

BAPTIST SCHOOL TREAT. Bad weather.  Went to large malting  of Messrs Crisp by the Railway
Station.  Tea  in  the  schoolroom.  Had  intended  to  go  on  “final”  visit  to  Ashman’s  Hall  through
kindness of Mr Robinson & Mr Mann.

1891
East Suff Gaz 4 Aug 

FAUCONBERGE SCHOOL: Rev Raven said a boy Arthur Blackett of Wangford, aged 13 had died
of pneumonia at the school that day.
Enlargement of the Schoolroom and a carpenter’s shop provided. They had introduced German. The

 
 

school was divided, except for Classics, into four sets according to age.
Mr WM Crowfoot spoke. The numbers in the school were greater than ever before. A Sanatorium had
been  added. -- The only road to success was through  competitive  exams.  Sometimes  however the

 
 

man who would  have shone  as  a  college teacher  or  a  scientific  man  got sent  out to  administer  an
Indian province. - Qualities of self-reliance, manliness and independence of great importance in after
life  --  a  characteristic  of  English  education,  as  distinguished  from  the  education  given  in  many

Continental Schools. He must not undervalue obedience and setting up a strong sense of duty. These
two principals required  to be inculcated and enforced on the minds of all. --- He learned Horace here,
and many a time when he drove about the country roads Horace recurred to him and he dwelt upon

the  lines with profit  and pleasure. He would not mind quoting Horace against  any boy in the sixth
form now. One line which he thought all boys should remember and think of often was:
“Non omnis moriar, multaque pars mei Vitabit Libitanam.”

 
 

 
 

a line upon which Christianity had shed fuller light: “I shall not altogether die, but some part of me
shall escape oblivion.” They might , they must all leave behind “footprints on the sands of time,” but

what sort  of footprints were they to  be? He  exhorted them to  leave  examples which others  might
follow, to set before them a high ideal, a stern sense of duty, and to strive their best to act up to it.

1891
East Suff Gaz 11 Aug 

CONGREGATIONAL SUNDAY SCHOOL TREAT 400 children assembled at the schoolroom and
marched in procession to a meadow in the grounds of Castle Farm, by kindness of Mr G King. Rev

WH Muncaster in the lead. Rev J  Calvert, former minister, now of Fulham joined the party.
SCIENCE & ART CLASSES:  started a few years ago with 20 or 30 students now has 103. Classes
in Maths, Electricity & magnetism, Geometry, Drawing and oil & water-colour painting.

1891
East Suff Gaz 11 Aug 
1891
East Suff Gaz 18 Aug 

Cpl Tilney champion of Suffolk Rifle Association at Ickworth with prizes of £32, met at the Station
by the Band and contingent of the Rifle Corps, and chaired to his residence, the band playing “See the
conquering hero comes”.

1891
East Suff Gaz 18 Aug 

BECCLES FLOWER SHOW held in the gardens of the Crisps, J & JE. The band of the 1st Norfolk
Artillery under GR Caston. In the evening the grounds illuminated  with coloured lamps and Chinese
and  Japanese  lanterns.  Also  an  illuminated  model  of  the  Eiffel  Tower  40ft  high.  The  fireworks

consisted of  set pieces, rockets, shells, maroons, a waterfall and a monkey gymnast.
RAILWAY TICKET COLLECTOR Mr J Swan, moved to Inspector at Lowestoft, Station Master at
St Olaves, the to Haughley, now Station Master at Colchester, ST Botolphs

1891
East Suff Gaz 25 Aug 
1891
East Suff Gaz 25 Aug 

HOUSE IN NEWGATE:  The back part of a house occupied by Mrs Saunders fell in wrecking the
contents of two bedrooms  and displaying  a scene  of ruin seldom seen  in the town. It  appears that
there were  no beams whatsoever  under this part  of the  roof, the rafters resting  upon the thin  brick

wall of the house. A bricklayer, Betts was doing some plastering, and observing that the window was
bulging  outwards  dangerously,  he  warned  the  tenant  not  to  remain  in  the  bedroom,  and  left  for
assistance.  Mrs  Saunders   had   only  just   gone   downstairs  when  the  roof  fell   in  with  a   crash.

Fortunately no one was hurt.
NATIONAL  SCHOOLS: Unanimously  agreed that the “Fee Grant” offered under the  Elementary

1891
East Suff Gaz 25 Aug 

Education Act, 1891, should be accepted on behalf of these schools. The education will in future be
free.

1891
East Suff Gaz 25 Aug 

Liberal Club being formed. Premises of Mrs Saul in Station Road, having Fair Close on one side and
the Baptist Chapel on the other. accepted. Most of the members of the defunct Working Men’s Club

will  join. [probably No 8  Station Road] Those paying subs: Rev  WH Muncaster, FJ Dowsett,  W
Read, DT Cowan, CT Field.
BREWSTER SESSION: LICENCE of Marquis of Granby, Northgate, to Mr JB Holton.

1891
1891

East Suff Gaz 25 Aug 
East Suff Gaz 1 Sep 

SALE of FURNITURE of Horace Winter, who is leaving town in Caxton Road
SALE of costly modern FURNITURE: by Mrs Garrod, who has let the Residence, St Peter’s House,
OLD MARKET

1891
East Suff Gaz 15 Sep 
1891
East Suff Gaz 15 Sep 
TO BE LET: No 1 Albany Villas, FAIR CLOSE; 7 rooms; Apply R Cowles, Sydney Place, Beccles
Beccles Newspapers from 1891 
David Lindley, Jan 2003 
13
1891
East Suff Gaz 15 Sep 

CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH Presentations  at the Manse [Frederick’s Road?];  50 sat down for
tea.

1891
East Suff Gaz 15 Sep 

INVENTION: Brothers  named  Lane [perhaps Andrew,  31  & Charles,  24  of Peddar’s  Lanme] &  J
Kerridge  [perhaps  Kohn  Kerridge,  22  of  2  Ballygate]  have  recently  invented  a  mechanical  type

distributor for printing companies. They received £200 and will receive royalties.
ATTEMPTED BURGLARY at Worlinghm Hall. The present Tenant, Mr CJ Ross was away, but Mrs

1891
East Suff Gaz 15 Sep 

Ross  & the sons were there. They discovered  about  10.30 pm that the  front  door  and  one of the
windows had been screwed closed and thick wires placed outside. A ladder had been placed against
the window of the “state” bedroom on the west side of the house. A mounted messenger was at once

sent to Beccles. Inspector Hubbard sent his men to search the premises and routes to  and from the
Hall. The two gateways to the Hall had been securely fastened and stretched wires across the drive, to
impede pursuit.

 
 

The ladder had been taken from the yard of Mr Horne,  the wheelwright just outside the estate gates
in Worlingham. The robbers fled before stealing anything.
LETTER from AE Mickleburgh suggesting roads should be  known  by their proper  names  and that

1891
East Suff Gaz 15 Sep 

the streets should be numbered. [didn’t happen until 1904]
RUNAWAY COW. A fat cow being taken from the saleground proved refractory, and being chased
by the man in charge and his dog, it ran across Old Market, along Newgate and round the back of the

1891
East Suff Gaz 22 Sep 

terrace  of    Douglas  Place.  Pursuing  its  course  in  a  furious  manner,  it  drove  its  head  against  the
projecting wall  at the  end with such force that  it broke  off one  of  its horns,  and fell dead,  having
dislocated its neck. It was immediately bled and dressed.

1891
East Suff Gaz 22 Sep 

BOY WITH LOCKJAW at Barsham. Dr  EB Crowfoot sent for, arrived  immediately, but unable to
save his life.
DEATH OF JOHN CRISP, JP aged 83 at his residence, Beccles. [part of page 5 cut out, probably an

1891
East Suff Gaz 29 Sep 

obituary He died on 24 September]
CONSERVATIVE  CANDIDATE    resigned  from  candidature.  WM  Crowfoot,  Chairman  of  local

1891
East Suff Gaz 6 Oct 

Conservatives  in  discussions  for  new  candidate.  Newspaper  favours  Mr  HS  Foster,  not  a  local
candidate.

 
 

Vanity Fair produced Cartoon of him with text. “Born 36 years ago to a father who used to show the
Queen’s Westminster how to shoot, he learned the value of figures at the City of London School so

well that he was able to start in business before he was twenty. But findings his talents were capable
of better things than addition and subtraction, he brought himself out as a financier, visited India and
Australia, came back and managed the London and Colonial  Finance Corporation, had made money

for himself  and for his shareholders.
Yet he is  quite  a religious  man who  can preach,  a Tory who  is fond of  dabbling  in politics, and  a
Mason. He has handled much money, he tries to direct London as a County Councillor, and helps to

 
 

make children learned against their will as a member of the school board, and he is a Sheriff-elect of
the City of London. He plays lawn tennis, he rides, he thinks that he can sing, and he lives at Sutton,
where he is quite an important person. Yet he works hard. He is so successful that he has made many

enemies. He is a good-looking, slim fellow, and he will be a very good Sheriff. He is rich.
FUNERAL OF JOHN CRISP Service taken by Rev J Rowsell. The members of the Corporation and
a large number of the inhabitants of the town and neighbourhood attended.

1891
East Suff Gaz 6 Oct 
1891
East Suff Gaz 6 Oct 

EMIGRATION: The October circulars of the Emigrants Information Office and the Penny and other
handbooks , with maps, show the present prospects of Emigrants to the Colonies. With the object of
more widely spreading  information  on  emigration,  branch offices  are being  organised at  a few free

libraries and other suitable centres in various districts.
As to Canada it is important to note that no immigrants, other than female servants (for whom there is
always a large demand) should go out now, unless they go to friends or have engagements prepared

 
 

for them, or have money to keep them through the winter .
In  Australasia  the  present  season  of  the  year  is  a  busy  one  for  shearers,  farm  labourers,  rough

 
 

gardeners,  dairymen, station  hands, market  gardeners,  and  experienced miners  are wanted  in  some
localities. Free or reduced passageways to Queensland or Western Australia are given to members of

these  classes,,  and  to  female  servants.  There  is  no  demand  for  mechanics  in  Queensland,  New
Zealand, or at Melbourne in Victoria, but in most of the other parts of Australia a good workman with

a little money should do well.
Cape Colony and Natal offer reduced passages to mechanics, female servants and others, and there is
still  a  limited  demand  for them. There  is  no  opening  in Mashonaland for  ordinary labour,  and the

 
 

journey up country is very expensive. Cases of severe destitution have lately occurred among British
emigrants in Brazil,  and  a further warning has  been issued  against  emigrating there. Chile  and the
Argentine Republic are under existing conditions wholly unsuited to British emigrants.

1891
East Suff Gaz 6 Oct 
TECHNICAL EDUCATION: Now under new arrangement of Suffolk County Council. Six subjects:
Beccles Newspapers from 1891 
David Lindley, Jan 2003 
14

Mechanics,   mathematics,   Laundry   Work,   Cookery,   Modern   Languages   (mainly   French)   &
Ambulance Work. A seventh added: Acoustics, light and heat. Price 2s for 20 lectures. Two Drawing

Classes under Mr Fraser will continue and another on Saturday for teachers.
POLICE COURT: Henry Bullen landlord of the  Lord Nelson  guilty of serving drink after hours  at

1891
East Suff Gaz 6 Oct 

10.30 on Sunday. Fined £2 6s 8d and Licence endorsed.
WILSON’S PATHWAY officially opened between Northgate and Ravensmere.

1891
1891

East Suff Gaz 13 Oct 
East Suff Gaz 13 Oct 

CHURCH TOWER FUND: Mr Allen,  contractor paid  £206; Mr C Thwaites, architect £5  15s  6d.
Balance of £56 left.
WORKING MEN’S CLUB wound up.

1891
1891

East Suff Gaz 13 Oct 
East Suff Gaz 13 Oct 

LATE Mr Crisp: The Yarmouth Port and Haven Commission paid tribute. He had been a member for
40 years.
DEATH of  a Well Known Inhabitant, Mr Jeremiah Tyrell, which occurred on Thursday last at the

1891
East Suff Gaz 13 Oct 

advanced age of 75. He had been ill barely a week, so that his decease came almost as a surprise to
the town, where he has been so long known as a remarkably active and energetic man.
In his early days he served his country as a soldier in different regiments of the line, mostly abroad -

 
 

in Canada and the East Indies, remaining in the ranks for nearly 22 years, for which he has enjoyed a
well-earned pension since 1857. He was a man of keen observation and retentive memory, and never
wearied recounting incidents of his soldier-life and of the places and people amongst whom he had

spent so much of his younger time.
For the past thirty years  he has  followed  a more peaceful  if  not  less risky vocation,  as  a dealer  in
antique furniture,  rare  old  china,  oil-paintings,  articles of  vertu,  books, &  co;  and  his was a  very

 
 

familiar face at most of the auction sales occurring in the counties of Suffolk and Norfolk. His “old
curiosity shop”, as he aptly termed his place of business, was known far and wide by those seeking
relics of the past. Visitors to the town were frequently directed to his collection of odds and ends in

Puddingmoor as one of the objects of local interest, and it was seldom indeed that they failed to take
away with them some article from his store of bric-a-brac as a souvenir of their short sojourn in the

town. The  late Mr Tyrell was a  kind-hearted man,  deservedly respected and much sympathy is felt
with the widow and family in their bereavement

1891
1891

East Suff Gaz 13 Oct 

DEATHS: TYRELL - on the 8th inst at Beccles, after a few days’ illness, Jeremiah Tyrell, aged 75.
COUNCIL: New foundry in Gosford Road for Elliott & Garrood; two cottages on Swine’s Green for

East Suff Gaz 13 Oct 

Mr W Sampson; house near Denmark Road for Mr GA Dunn; Cowshed on property belonging to Dr
Wright on Rigbone Hill all passed.
SUICIDE OF A WOMAN: Elizabeth Mann, aged 32 of Cliff Cottages, wife of James Mann, gardener

1891
East Suff Gaz 13 Oct 

to Mr Hockey drowned herself in the Waveney. John E Mayhew,  a carter  employed  by Mr Arthur
Pells, went to the river for some water for his horses down Horse Dock Lane, when he heard someone
talking loudly saying “They will murder my poor  dear children  and my husband too, and they will

massacre me if I go..”
He asked her what she was doing and she ran away from the river. He went for a light and assistance,
but on returning heard from Noah Gray that someone had jumped into the river. Henry Westbrook,

 
 

baker, Saltgate said he had known Mrs Mann for several years, She had been into his shop with two
of her children and talked about her neighbour Mrs Farman, who she imagined wanted to harm her.
SUFFOLK  INDUSTRIAL  EXHIBITION:  Mr  AG  Gowen  exhibited  a  very  elaborate  model  of

1891
East Suff Gaz 27 Oct 

Beccles  Primitive  Methodist  Chapel.  [in  1881  he  was  living  in  Lady’s  Meadow,  was  28,  born  in
Colchester, and a printer, compositor. The model is now in the Beccles Museum]
TECHNICAL CLASSES; These will be held in the new Science, Technical and Art School, Station

1891
East Suff Gaz 27 Oct 

Road
CONSERVATIVE   CANDIDATE   SELECTED   for   Constituency   at   meeting   chaired   by   Lord
Stradbrooke. Mr HS Foster selected..

1891
East Suff Gaz 27+ Oct 
1891
East Suff Gaz 13 Oct 

SALVATIONISTS AT EASTBOURNE. Tumultuous procession formed on the sea-front flanked by
20  police.  As  soon  as  the  march  started,  the  processionists  produced  from  under  their  clothing

whistles, horns and tambourines, and the hymn “we never will give in” was struck up. An enormous
crowd which had collected instantly made an overwhelming onslaught on the Army, the police being

overpowered. The banner was torn to pieces, and bonnets and caps torn from the Salvationists’ heads
and  flung  into  the  air.  In  the  narrow  streets  on  the  road  a  complete  block  occurred,  “soldiers”,

opponents and police being jumbled together in a struggling, fighting mass.
In the afternoon a second contingent, with band, had a fearful struggle in Howard Square, where free
fights  lasted  for  some  time,  instruments  being  smashed  and  thrown  into  the  sea.  The  organised

 
 

opposition were applauded by the visitors and residents, who waved handkerchiefs from the balconies
of hotels and private houses on the grand Parade.
VISITOR to HORSLEY COACH WORKS: The Marquis Deves, Master  of Horse to the King  of

1891
East Suff Gaz 20 Oct 
Siam &  an  official from the  Legation were  met  at the  Station  by Mr BT King,  after lunch  at the
Beccles Newspapers from 1891 
David Lindley, Jan 2003 
15

King’s Head proceeded to view the Works. The Marquis ordered some carriages to be built and sent
out to Bangkok. The present order is only an introductory one to be succeeded by frequent others.

1891
East Suff Gaz 27 Oct 

EAST  SUFFOLK  COUNTY  COUNCIL:  Subsidy  for  Roads  determined.  (there  had  been  many
discussions of this before) Beccles to receive £150 a mile for 1 mile 6 furlongs of streets and £50 a

mile for 2 miles 1 furlong of roads.
PRESENTATION to Mr WH Williamson, who  has  received the Degree  of Bachelor  in Music  by

1891
East Suff Gaz 3 Nov 

presenting  him  with  his  robes.  Gift  of  the  Choral  Society  &  Church  Choir  in  recognition  of  his
services in the cause of music in the town and neighbourhood of Beccles.
BECCLES  MAN  IN  AUSTRALIA:  The  Wagga  Wagga  Express  states  that  at  an  Annual  Show

1891
East Suff Gaz 3 Nov 

Messrs Rae & Herbert Dunscombe showed  a single seater buggy, wholly put together  by the firm,
made of hickory and ash trimmed with brown Morocco leather. It was a park-phaeton, designed by
Mr Dunscombe and received first prize. He was apprenticed to Messrs C Horsley.

1891
East Suff Gaz 3 Nov 

CONSERVATIVE  ASSOCIATION:  Mr  WM  Crowfoot  resigned  from  Presidency  on  account  of
pressures of work. Major Wilson elected new President.
DEATH OF Mrs Katherine  Pearson, wife of Rev Arthur C Pearson, Chaplain  at Landour  in  north-

1891
East Suff Gaz 3 Nov 

west India. Husband, wife  and  child were travelling back to  England to visit  her father, Rev  FM
Arnold, Rector  of Ringsfield. They boarded the train  at  Liverpool,  she  suddenly  died  of syncope,
probably due to excitement. Upon arriving at Derby they were met by Colonel Pearson, the brother,

who   lived  nearby   and   had   been   alerted   by  telegram.  Mrs  Pearson  was  buried  in  Ringsfield
churchyard.
ROBBERY IN BECCLES  Vulcan Ironworks  broken into and £30 stolen from the safe. Must have

1891
East Suff Gaz 3 Nov 

been done by someone who knew the works.
THEFT OF SCYTHE. Alfred Drew [see 17 April, 1883] guilty of stealing scythe. Left in hedgerow
by Charles Tolworthy, labourer, at Barsham opposite the White House at 7pm. Gone when he went to

1891
East Suff Gaz 3 Nov 

collect it at 5.30 am next morning. Magistrate sorry to see him in court, since he had served five years
in a reformatory. 14 days hard labour.

1891
East Suff Gaz 10 Nov 

FAUCONBERGE  SCHOOL:  Mrs  Garrod  to  found  the  “Garrod  Scholarship”  of  £10  a  year  in
memory of her husband. For proficiency in French, German, History and Geography.

1891
1891

East Suff Gaz 10 Nov 

MENAGERIE of Edmonds & Bostock coming to Beccles, “the largest travelling show on earth”.
CHURCH TOWER REPAIR FUND: Service held in aid of restoring the TOWER. Collection raised

East Suff Gaz 10 Nov 

£22.
COUNCIL EXPENSES & INCOME for the year (Borough Fund) Some items of expenses:
The Mayor for his disposal: £50; Town Clerk £100; Medical Officer £30; Treasurer £40; Inspector of

1891
 

East Suff Gaz 10 Nov 
 

Nuisances (AG Love) £45; Gas Company for public lamps  £382; Raising  & sifting Gravel, labour,
removal of Night Soil £313
COUNCIL:  Report:  There are 34 cowkeepers and 228 cows. There are 26 meat sellers; 8 recognised

1891
East Suff Gaz 10 Nov 

slaughter  houses,  4  registered  gunpowder  premises;  the  lodging  house  in  Smallgate  closed  in
November 1890 has been re-registered  by a new tenant. The Newgate lodging  house has  been kept
satisfactorily

1891
East Suff Gaz 10 Nov 

COUNCIL:  ELECTION  OF  MAYOR:  Councillor  Woods  elected;  Major  Wilson  to  be  Deputy
Mayor.
ANIMALS & BIRDS Mr Tilney has been asked to stuff: a salmon trout weighing 14 lbs, length 35

1891
East Suff Gaz 8 Dec 

ins, girth 18 ins caught above Beccles; a Hen Harrier shot at Stockton; a Rough Legged Buzzard shot
at  Sotterley, and a pig  having two heads joined together, two separate  bodies, one mouth and  eight
legs, four ears, four eyes and two tails.

1891
 
 

East Suff Gaz 15 Dec 
A Gentleman in Beccles?  received a bill:

 
 

 
 

Osafada
 

 
 

2s 
 

0d
6d 

Atakinonimom
 
As all our readers are not linguists we append a free translation

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
2s  
6d

 
 

 
 

 
 

Horse, half a day
Taking him home 

 

2s 
 

0d
6d

 
1891

 
 
 
 
 
2s 
6d
East Suff Gaz 15 Dec 

HAYDN’S CREATION sung by the Choral Society. Well praised.
COUNCIL: An addition to a house in STATION ROAD for Miss Saul approved.

1891
1891

East Suff Gaz 15 Dec 
East Suff Gaz 22 Dec 

RAILWAY  BRIDGE  at  the  Station:  while  being  placed  in  position  one  of  the  main  girders  fell,
blocked the railway line and damaged the signalling. A new girder will be required.

1891
1891

East Suff Gaz 29 Dec 

ACCOUNT OF THE YEAR (5 columns)
GIRL DIED SKATING. Lilly Howlett, aged 21, who lived with Mr & Mrs William Spaull,employed
by them as draper’s assistant, went skating on the frozen river with Mrs Spaull at 11 am. She fell on

East Suff Gaz 15 Dec 
the ice and died soon after being taken home by cab. Mr EB Crowfoot said she probably died from
Beccles Newspapers from 1891 
David Lindley, Jan 2003 
16
apoplexy and cardiac arrest.. There was no sign of any bruise.

DREADFUL RAILWAY ACCIDENT AT BARNBY on Christmas Eve 1891
 

 

Shortly after  7  o’clock  on Thursday  evening. those  of the Townsfolk who were  near the Railway
Station, were startled by hearing that, an accident — a collision, or something of that kind had taken

place between the 6 27 train from Lowestoft, and the train which left London at 12.30. This rumour
caused great consternation among the large number expecting the arrival of those dear to them for the

Christmas Holidays, and soon the Station and its approaches were thronged by anxious crowds, and
the railway officials were literally besieged with eager questioners. But alas, the meagre details of the
catastrophe, which were then .obtainable, were insufficient to allay the torturing suspense endured by

those expecting friends  by .the  East  Suffolk  line. Meanwhile,  upon the  first  news  of the  accident
being  flashed  upon  the  wire,  the  Station  Master  (Mr  J  W  Smith)  immediately  summoned  all  the
medical assistance available, and a special train was made up, and as quickly as possible proceeded to

the  scene  of the  disaster,  also  carrying  a  number  of men belonging to the  recently  formed G.E.R.
Ambulance  Class.  After  this  had  gone,  ensued  a  period  of  anxious  waiting,  ere  a  telegram  was
received from the  Station Master,  requesting that the platforms might be  cleared, as the relief train

was  coming back with the wounded. This proceeding was  rapidly  effected by the Borough Police,
under Inspector Booty,  aided by the Railway Police, and the driven back  crowd, surged, an uneasy
mass, against the hastily erected barriers, until at about 9.45, the engine, No 28, steamed slowly into

the  station,  drawing the  coaches  containing the wounded who  could  be brought  along. During the
interval that had elapsed between the receipt of the news and the arrival of the wounded, stretchers
had  been obtained,  and were  ranged out  on the platform ready, while men skilled  in such  matters

stood round them, ready for the word of command. As soon as the train came to a standstill, Dr R J
Roberts who had been attending to the arrangements for removing the wounded, entered the door of
the  break, where,  on the stew strewn  floor  lay the more seriously injured, and soon the word was

passed for stretcher number  one, which was in the most orderly manner imaginable,  lifted into the
van, to return with its load of bandaged and bloodstained humanity. One after another the stretchers

became  occupied,  and  as  soon  as  possible  the  wounded  were  lifted  into  cabs,  and  upon  other
conveyances, and driven through the crowd to the Hospital. While this was going on, several of the

less injured were helped across the platform to cabs, while one man, who, not so much hurt as others,
staggered to a friendly pillar, and gazed around as if failing to realise where he was, and completely

in a dazed condition. After a time he rallied, and in reply to questions, was able to state that he left
Beccles in the down train, which travelled as ordinarily, until there came that horrible smash, when
the carriage, he and others were seated in was completely telescoped, and he himself thrown from the

side  of the  carriage on to the line, while a young man seated  by his side, was  immediately  killed.
After some time had elapsed, this man was, with  assistance  able to proceed to his home, suffering
from nothing worse than contused shoulders, and slight wounds about the head and face. For hours

after  this,  the  crowd  continued  round  the  station,  and  everyone  leaving  the  interior  were  eagerly
questioned as to particulars. The dead bodies of three men arrived ere the crowd dispersed, and were
taken to the mortuary.

 
 

 
 

DETAILS OF THE ACCIDENT
From the particulars which  are forthcoming  up to the present, it appears that the collision  occurred
near the points, which are used to shut the down trains into a siding at Barnby, while the up trains by

keeping the road, pass them, much after the manner that is used on all tramways. The 6.27 pm train,
after taking on some 50 or 60 passengers for different destinations, proceeded on her way for Beccles.
Carlton was passed without unusual  incident,  and the train  dashed  on  her way across the marshes,

which  were  white  with  an  impenetrable  fog,  while  her  passengers  thought  with  glee  about  their
homecoming, and their hearts were beating high with the hopes of the festive season. About the time
this train left Lowestoft, another, and similar, left Beccles bound for Lowestoft, and both trains were

nicely timed to pass each other at Barnby Box, as so many had done  before them. This proceeding
would undoubtedly have taken place, and the trains have passed in safety, had it not been for the fog,

which rendered the signals invisible, and the up train continued on its way until the driver, Borrett,
saw the signal box  at Barnby  as his  engine dashed through the  gloom. The brakes  (Westinghouse)

were  immediately  applied,  but before the moving  mass  came to  a standstill  on the frozen slippery
rails,  she  had  passed  the  points,  and  at  that  moment  the  Beccles  train  rushed  madly  along,  and

although the brakes were applied as soon as the danger was seen, it was all too late and with terrific
violence the engines came together. The impact was tremendous and the engine of the Beccles train,
which  was  being  driven  tender  first,  after  knocking  the  end  out  of  the  other  engine,  rebounded,

dashed forward again, and then mounted the other engine until the tender stood nearly on end.
The first and second carriages on the Beccles train were completely dashed to splinters and the end
knocked  out  of  one  other,  while  the  carriage  nearest  the  engine  of  the  Lowestoft  train  was  also

 
 
completely telescoped, and judging from the scene of wreck presented to our representative, who was
Beccles Newspapers from 1891 
David Lindley, Jan 2003 
17

one  of the first to  arrive, the only wonder is that the list of killed is  not much  larger. The line was
strewn  with  debris  from  the  wrecked  carriages,  and  the  luckless  passengers,  were  some  of  them

thrown upon the line, and others jammed between portions of the smashed vehicles, wherefrom they
had to be released by means of axe and saw. During all this time the fog continued most intense, and

the work of those first on the spot was much increased thereby. As has already been stated, a relief
train had been despatched, with bandages, splints, and other needful appliances, which were as soon

as possible made  use of,  and the wounded ones, were made  as  comfortable as  circumstance would
permit, which task was  made more  easy,  as  by that time  a huge  bonfire  had  been made with the
remains of the splintered carriages.

 
 

 
 

NARRATIVE OF THE FIRST MAN ON THE SCENE OF THE DISASTER
Shortly  after  tea  on  Thursday,  Mrs  Amos  Beamish  who  resides  some  quarter  of  a  mile  from  the
railway at Barnby, was returning from a visit to a sick relative close by, and when near her home she

heard the noise caused by the engines coming into contact, followed by heart rending screams. She
ran into the house to her husband and told him what she had heard. This Amos Beamish, a man of
gigantic proportions, without a moment’s hesitation set out with incredible speed on the well known

path across the marsh to the line. As soon as he arrived Beamish got to work with his large hammer,
and by knocking away bars and lifting there managed to extricate many who were the more easily got
at, but he had to go home for a saw with which to eat away portions of the wreck ere  all the injured

could be rescued.
While this was happening, some eight or nine men were sitting round the cosy fireplace in the ancient
“Barnby Swan”, when a boy with a face streaming with blood opened the door, and in terrified terms

 
 

described  what  had  happened.  Instantly  all  was  confusion,  until  Mrs  Holt,  wife  of  the  Landlord
calmly  gave directions to  her  husband to  harness the pony and  light the  lantern, while the brandy
bottle was laid under requisition, and another  cart was sent for Dr Hunter of Carlton, who was the

first to arrive of the medical  gentlemen, but was followed shortly after by Mr Metcalfe  of Beccles.
The Holts and their customers were soon on the scene of disaster, and prodigies of human deeds were

performed by those simple country folk. As soon as could be expected Doctors Waker, Dillon, Sharp,
Jackson  and Roberts  of  Lowestoft were  on the spot,  and  under their  directions the wounded were

attended  to,  and  some  of  them  carried  to  the  Swan,  where  a  room  had  been  prepared  for  their
reception  and  where  they  were  attended  for  the  remainder  of  the  night  by  Miss  Macdonald,  the

Matron of the Beccles Hospital.
The sight presented  by the more seriously wounded was terrible in the  extreme and their cries and
groans were most pitiable indeed, but thanks to the gentle ministrations and skill of those concerned,

 
 

these were soon mitigated to a large extent and by 10 o’clock pm all had been attended to and were
housed either in Lowestoft or Beccles Hospitals, or at the hospitable Swan, while the dead, three in
number, were reverently brought to Lowestoft, by direction of the Coroner, Mr CW Chaston, and an

inquest was held by that gentleman touching their deaths on Saturday.
Too much cannot be said in praise of the behaviour of the Barnby folks on this occasion, they worked
with  a  will  with  great  self-denial,  the  bitterness  of  the  night  and  so  many  of  them  doffed  their

 
 

garments that the wounded might  be made warmer  and  more  comfortable. Amos Beamish was  of
immense value and the way in which he moved huge masses of timber and held them whilst the dead
and injured were carefully removed, and quite magnificent to behold. He was the one to find the body

of  Lake, the  guard  on the Beccles train,  and in other ways he proved of  immense assistance on the
scene of disaster. Mr and Mrs Holt, also laboured hard and well, and she by her womanly instinct and
thought proved of as much service as any management, Her house presented all the appearance of a

hospital, and her husband was busy all night driving one or other of the less injured to their homes at
Carlton, Beccles and elsewhere.
LIST OF THE DEAD

 
 
 

 
 
 

Frederick Mallett, engine fitter, son of Mr C Mallett, who was found dead by the side of the line
--  Lake,  guard  of  the  Beccles  train,  who  was  on  relief  duty  for  another  guard.  His  body  was

discovered dreadfully mutilated, in the compartment next to the engine.
-- Reed, fireman of the Lowestoft engine whose body was discovered on the tender right in front of

 
 

the furnace, terribly scalded and otherwise injured.
LIST OF WOUNDED

 
 

 
 

A man unknown lying at the Barnby Swan, with fracture of both legs.
GW Stringfield jun, London Road, Lowestoft, compound fracture of the right leg
Alexander Beag, 29 Trafalgar Street, wounded on the face and arm.

 
 

 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

William Frost, Caxton Road, Beccles, wounds on the head and internal injuries
H Turvey, guard, 30, Tonning Street, wounds on the head and neck.
Stephen Roberts, Westhall, both legs fractured.

 
 
Henry Chandler, Pakefield, both legs broken, Chandler was thrown by the force of the collision about
Beccles Newspapers from 1891 
David Lindley, Jan 2003 
18

ten yards beyond the fence, which runs beside the line. Now in Beccles Hospital.
John Reynolds, of Beccles, but working for Mrs Cook, blacksmith, Gun Lane, Lowestoft. Thigh and

 
 

wrist broken, and teeth in top gum forced out and broken.
George Wright, shipwright, Union Street, Lowestoft. Both legs broken.

 
 

 
 

Henry Balsam, harness maker, working for Mr Wren, High Street, Lowestoft; Compound fracture left
leg and left arm.

 
 
 

 
 
 

W Borrett, driver of the Lowestoft train, leg broken and severely scalded.
Edward Dole, Ingate, Beccles, fracture of the left leg, right knee wounded and dislocated
David Wells, fisherman, Saxted, both legs fractured - one compound

 
 
 

 
 
 

-- Hayho, head and various contusions. Admitted to the Hospital, but afterwards permitted to leave.
William Whitehead, severely injured. He is in Hospital.
By the latest ascertainable accounts, it has been ascertained that the wounded are doing as well as the

serious  nature  of  their  injuries  render  possible,    and  the  injuries  sustained  by  Mr  Stringfield  are
looked on in a more favourable light by the family doctor.
Mr Ajoier of Carlton who had travelled who had travelled from Beccles with Mr Stringfield also had

 
 

a leg broken, but was able to be removed to his home the same evening. The driver Borrett says he
cannot account for the almost miraculous escape and could only liken it to his being lifted from his
engine at the moment of the collision.

 
 
The line at the scene of the accident was kept clear  

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Beccles Newspapers from 1891 
David Lindley, Jan 2003 
19
THE YEAR 1892
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1892
East Suff Gaz 5 Jan 

INFLUENZA: Influenza is spreading rapidly in the town of Beccles and neighbourhood, at least 300
cases. Some are very severe, and two or three deaths due to it.

1892
1892

East Suff Gaz 5 Jan 

DEATH of Mr John L Garden of Redisham Hall from influenza.
REDUCED WORKING HOURS  at the Vulcan Iron Works, from 59 to 55 a week, with the same

East Suff Gaz 5 Jan 

wage per week.
Mons ACQUIER, French  lectures postponed  on  account  of  accident  at Barnby. Mr Julius  Steppat,
German master at the Fauconberge School will take over.

1892
East Suff Gaz 5 Jan 
1892
East Suff Gaz 5 Jan 

PROPOSED EARLY CLOSING on Wednesday afternoon at 2pm: Not all shops would agree, so it
will not happen at present.
GIRLS’ INSTITUTE PARTY: 50 present.

1892
1892

East Suff Gaz 5 Jan 
East Suff Gaz 5 Jan 

MAD BULLOCK: sent by Norfolk farmer got out of control. Ran round streets. Attacked Mr A Balls
in Blyburgate, made an attack on a child Foyster near Mr Wilkinson’s shop, then Mr Balls, who was
carrying his gun, loaded it, and as the mad beast was rushing at him a second time he shot it dead in

the street.
BOROUGH ROADS: Appeal may  be possible to the  Local Government Board  for  a fair sum  of
money to pay for the upkeep of the roads. Bournemouth appealed and received 50% more than they

 
 
 
1892
East Suff Gaz 5 Jan 

asked for.
BARNBY  ACCIDENT:  Praise  in  letter  from  Dr  RI  Metcalfe  for  Corporal  H  Youngs  and  the

1892
East Suff Gaz 5 Jan 

detachment  of  2nd  Norfolk,  who  on  Christmas  Day  conveyed  the  unfortunate  sufferers  from  the
Barnby Inn to the railway. Their work was done with  ease, tenderness and precision.

1892
East Suff Gaz 5 Jan 

BARNBY CRASH: Victims buried at Lowestoft Cemetery. Walter Mallett, aged 21, engineer’s fitter
at  Elliott  &  Garrood,  body  borne  by  6  of  his  fellow  workers,  representatives  of  the  Artillery

Volunteers and the choir of the Baptist Chapel of which he was a member.   
TO LET: House with corner shop in Fair Close, with or without bakehouse. Apply W Church, Fair
Close.
AGRICULTURAL LABOURERS WANTED in Yorkshire. 300 needed from 16 upwards.

1892
East Suff Gaz 12 Jan 

1892
1892

East Suff Gaz 12 Jan 
East Suff Gaz 12 Jan 

SOUP KITCHEN opened last Tuesday.
LICENCE: The Angel Inn, Ballygate transferred from Abraham Aldred to John W Mayhew, late of
Croydon, vet’s assistant.

1892
East Suff Gaz 12 Jan 
1892
East Suff Gaz 12 Jan 

CHICKEN  STOLEN  from  Robert  Rayner  of  the  Butcher’s  Arms.  Albert  Rix,  brickmaker  from
Swine’s Green said he saw Samuel Willingham, fisherman, walking with a dead fowl, which he gave
to his sister, Willingham found guilty. 14 days hard labour.

1892
1892

East Suff Gaz 12 Jan 

Councillor Mitchell left the town 6 months ago. Vacancy for Councillor advertised.
The  Land at the back of Mr Loades’ premises was part  of the waste of the Manor of Beccles. The
Council were Lords of the Manor. Mr Loades  must not obstruct it. [9 Feb]

East Suff Gaz 12 Jan 

1892
1892
1892

East Suff Gaz 12 Jan 

Surveyor to prepare measurements and rough estimate of costs of making up Frederick’s Road.
BARNBY ACCIDENT INQUEST considerable details of the crash
DEATH of DUKE of CLARENCE, eldest son of  Edward Prince  of  Wales, from  influenza. [Black

East Suff Gaz 12 Jan 
East Suff Gaz 19 Jan 

Mourning lines between columns in newspaper]
SW Rix, formerly of the Fauconberge School: Classical Exhibition to Queen’s College, Cambridge.
JORDAN’S ALMANACK: The third issue just published

1892
1892

East Suff Gaz 19 Jan 
East Suff Gaz 19 Jan 
1892
East Suff Gaz 19 Jan 

TOWN HALL:  Inadequate  heating  in  this  severe  weather,  although  a  large  stove  is  usually  kept
lighted for several hours.

1892
East Suff Gaz 19 Jan 

TEMPLE of FRIENDSHIP Lodge. Going for 43 years. £6,500? invested in mortgages at 5% or 4%.
Over £300 paid out to members in sick benefit in 1891

1892
East Suff Gaz 19 Jan 

WILL  of  JOHN  CRISP:  Value:  £55,000.  Executors:  J  Edwin  Crisp,  his  son,  John  Robert    his
grandson & William Read, his clerk (to receive £100). His wife to receive £200, the house at Beccles,

furniture etc. &  annuity of £400. Mrs Elizabeth Anne Poyser.  his daughter,  £20,000 & Hales Hall
Farm, Loddon Hall Farm, Dulls Farm & Godbold’s Farm & his house at 18, Esplanade, Lowestoft &
its furniture.. To his son J  Edwin Crisp,  his  house  at Beccles, his maltings etc & the residue of  his

property.
SKATING COMPETITION for Caxton Athletic Club. Course a mile & a quarter.
COUNCIL: Rent of £13 for “Hospital Lands” paid to Beccles Hospital.

1892
1892

East Suff Gaz 19 Jan 
East Suff Gaz 19 Jan 

1892
1892

East Suff Gaz 19 Jan 

BARNBY CRASH Inquest continues. Much detail
INK FACTORY, BARSHAM: George Durrant & Sons are instructed by Mr TS Hutchinson, who is
leaving the neighbourhood, to  SELL  by AUCTION, without reserve  on Monday  February 1st, the

East Suff Gaz 26 Jan 

excellent and nearly new HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE, comprising Drawing Room Suite in walnut
&  tapestry,  Axminster  Carpet,  Bedroom  appointments,  Kitchen,  and  Culinary  Requisites  &  other
effects.

Beccles Newspapers from 1891 
David Lindley, Jan 2003 
20
1892
East Suff Gaz 26 Jan 

BYE  ELECTION  for  Council:  Mr  Preston  Larkman  elected    372,  thanks  for  support.  Mr  AE
Mickleburgh, Printer’s Reader 130

1892
East Suff Gaz 26 Jan 

JW  Crowfoot,   formerly  of  the  Fauconberge   School,  since   of  Marlborough  College,  Classical
Scholarship to Brasenose College, Oxford.

1892
East Suff Gaz 2 Feb 

DEATH of J Darby EASTAUGH: occurred very suddenly at his residence, Kessingland on Monday
week,  at  the  advanced  age  of  78  years.  He  was  born  at  Carlton  Colville,  and  for  many  years

conducted an important business at Lowestoft, Beccles and through the district.
For years he resided at Beccles, and during that period twice served in the capacity of Mayor of that
Borough. On retiring from active life he went to live at Flixton, near Lowestoft, and afterwards at The  

 
 

Beeches,   Kessingland,   and   notwithstanding   his   advanced   age,   he   remained   in   possession   of
apparently  good health  up to the last.  Even on Monday morning, he  had  dressed  for a walk  in the
village, and was in the act of opening the door of his safe when he was seized with violent pains in

the  region  of  the  heart.  He  staggered  into  the  hall,  and  there  fell  prostrate  into  the  arms  of  his
daughter, death ensuing about ten minutes later.
FIRE  at Mr Masters’ warehouse  in  Station Road, adjoining the Martyr’s Memorial  and the Coffee

1892
East Suff Gaz 2 Feb 

Room. Benzoline caught fire, but was put out.
BECCLES  LIBERAL ASSOCIATION: Chairman: Mr FJ Dowsett.  Liberal Club set  up during the
year.  Secretary:  Mr  FJ  Spaull.  The  Liberal  Candidate:  Mr  James  Judd.  Vice  President:  Rev  WH

1892
East Suff Gaz 2 Feb 

Muncaster.
COUNTY COUNCIL ELECTION: Present members Mr Edward Masters & Mr JP Walton; Mr JK
Garrod is an Alderman.

1892
East Suff Gaz 9 Feb 

1892
1892
 

East Suff Gaz 9 Feb 

AGM of CO-OP. Paying 1s 8d in the pound.
COUNCIL:  Messrs Block & Steel to repair the lane between their properties near Hungate Lane.
The attention of the Inspector of Police be called to the obstruction caused by people standing on the

East Suff Gaz 9 Feb 
 

pavements at the Town [Public] Hall corner and opposite the Falcon.
BARNBY CRASH INQUEST The jury decided that fog precautions should have been put in place

1892
East Suff Gaz 9 Feb 

by the signalman and that the driver Boag was guilty of negligence, but not of criminal negligence.
MARQUIS OF GRANBY To Let.. Apply Coleman & Co, Norwich.

1892
1892

East Suff Gaz 16 Feb 
East Suff Gaz 16 Feb 

Widow Bradnum, having lost her well-known donkey, which died recently, Mrs Bloom very kindly
headed a subscription list and collected sufficient funds to purchase another donkey, and new harness,

and to paint her cart. Mrs Bradnum wishes to return grateful thanks.
OUTSIDE BECCLES: EARSHAM: The Bull Inn, with a large Barn at the end was destroyed by fire.
The house, a very old one, was composed of clay lump and thatch, and the barn of wood and thatch.

1892
East Suff Gaz 16 Feb 

1892
1892
1892

East Suff Gaz 1 Mar 

BOROUGH AUDITORS: George J Bond & George A Stanford.
RAILWAY GATES SMASHED in Ingate by fast train from Ipswich at 7.40.
MILITARY BALL - complimentary to Major and Miss Wilson arranged by the NCOs of the Beccles

East Suff Gaz 1 Mar 
East Suff Gaz 1 Mar 

Artillery Volunteers. About 70 present, including Captains  Sergeant & Peskett, Lieutenants Angell,
Larkman & Rix.. A quadrille under Bandmaster Caston added to enjoyment of dancers.
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH Annual Social Meeting.

1892
1892

East Suff Gaz 1 Mar 
East Suff Gaz 1 Mar 

EAST SUFFOLK COUNTY COUNCIL: No contest: Edward Masters; proposed by WM Crowfoot;
seconded T Wilson; Assentors: WF Spaull, WD Saunders, WB England, Caleb Chase, Robt Youngs,
Robt Frankland, S Le Grice, Geo Knights

 
 

Joseph  Walton,  Proposed    Henry  Read;  Seconded  FS  Rix;  Assentors:  AR  Clatworthy,  T  Pert,
Womack Brooks, WG Cross, EGR Watson, James S Branford, HW Durrant, MC Woodward.
CURATE: Rev Robert Dewe,  curate  at Beccles offer of living  of Geldeston from Lord Chancellor,

1892
East Suff Gaz 8 Mar 

whose gift it is. Value £320 pa.
EARLY CLOSING: Agreed to  close  at 2pm  on Wednesday  and 8  instead  of  9  on  Fridays in the
winter months

1892
East Suff Gaz 8 Mar 
1892
East Suff Gaz 8 Mar 

2nd  VBNR, G & H Companies. Capt Robinson resigned  after many years. Capt John Read takes
over.  Lives  7 miles away and has  been  in the Battalion  32 years;  better to retire than take  on new

responsibilities, but has agreed to do so.
BARNBY CRASH: Inspector’s Report by Major General Hutchinson.

1892
1892
1892

East Suff Gaz 8 Mar 
East Suff Gaz 8 Mar 

SCHOOL for Girls: Articled Pupil required by Miss Aggas, 2 Smallgate.
GRANGE  ESTATE:  formerly  known  as  “Satin  Pans”  registered  by  Frederick   William  Darby

East Suff Gaz 15 Mar 

Robinson, part of Nos 256 and 492 on the Ordnance map. It is now being laid out in building plots
and will be offered for sale by Messrs Flick & Sons in May.
FIRE in Mr J Read’s corn chandler’s shop in Newmarket [number 26 Newmarket] occupied by Mr

1892
East Suff Gaz 15 Mar 

Youngs. The family were in a room above the shop when the noise as of someone tapping was heard,
and  going  downstairs to see the  cause Mr Youngs discovered  a fire burning  in  a  disused fireplace,
which had been covered up by a board. There was an accumulation of soot, which a spark probably

from the fire upstairs had ignited, With the assistance of Mr R Davy the fire  was easily extinguished.
Beccles Newspapers from 1891 
David Lindley, Jan 2003 
21
1892
East Suff Gaz 15 Mar 

COUNTY COURT: William Crane v Mrs Tyrell, administratix of late Jeremiah Tyrel to recover “3
12s 6d. Plaintiff sent bill in June 1890 for £4 19s 3d for flour & £1 10s 7d for bakings.. The flour was

paid for. He continued to bake things for the defendant. Occasionally she would pay the boy for the
bakings. John Wyatt the boy in the employment of Crane, said he took home bakings to Mrs Tyrell

three or four days in every week. Mr Tyrell never paid him. Mrs Tyrell often paid him and he took
the money home to his master. He took home 12 or 13 other people’s dinners. He did not take more

than two or three dinners at a time. Sometimes he pulled out a whole pocketful of money which he
received  for bread  and baking.  The  judge awarded £1  10s 7d to plaintiff, but each pay their own
costs. It was difficult to determine who was right.

1892
East Suff Gaz 22 Mar 

PLANNING CONSENT not  given  for building  constructed by Mr Allen for  Elliott & Garrood. In
future proceedings will be taken and work will be stopped.
KINGS HEAD, Newmarket: Licence temporarily transferred to Harry Youngs from his father.

 
1892

 
East Suff Gaz 22 Mar 

VESTRY MEETING: Mr JM Brundell  offered his resignation as Overseer,  but was persuaded to
reconsider.  He  accepted.  He  had  been  Overseer  since  1868.  He  was  cross  that  the  Assessment
Committee had altered the valuations they made without consultation.

 
 

Mr AG Love, Assistant Overseer, salary increased from £50 to £75. Had been in office between 30
and  40 years.  Ever since  1862 the Assessment Committee had  given  certificates for supplementary
valuation lists, which had to  be made every half year,  and  for new lists  required every four years.

Payments of £15 a year would cease.
SALE OF FURNITURE: The One Bell, Smallgate. Mr William Baldry retiring from business.
TO LET: “Conservative Club”,  London Road. Overlooking  a lawn  of 5  acres  of park-like  grounds.

1892
1892

East Suff Gaz 29 Mar 
East Suff Gaz 29 Mar 

The HOUSE contains  3 Reception Rooms, Business Room, 8 Bedrooms, Bathroom, ample cellarage,
Kitchens & domestic offices.;  Stabling, 4  Loose Boxes, Harness & Carriage Houses; Conservatory,
large Vineries, Forcing Houses; Cottages for Coachman and Gardener; Paddock, excellent Vegetable

Garden. Apply J Edwin Crisp
TENDERS for New SCHOOLROOM in PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHAPEL, Smallgate. Plans to

1892
East Suff Gaz 29 Mar 

be seen at Mr WG Aldous, Blyburgate
WIFE’S DEBTS. I Peter Youngs, late of King’s Head, Newmarket will not be responsible for debts

1892
East Suff Gaz 29 Mar 

of  my wife, Charlotte Youngs from this  date.  Signed, Peter  Youngs,  1 Albany Villas,  Fair Close,
Beccles.

1892
East Suff Gaz 29 Mar 

Mr A WOODS erected Iron Mission Room at St Andrew’s Ilketshall for residents. It would hold 120
people.
BURGLARY at home of Mr MF Buck, [21] St George’s Road. [Editor of Newspaper?, aged 39, born

1892
East Suff Gaz 5 Apr 

Ditchingham]. Mr Buck out late, and  after the  children & servant had  gone to  bed, Mrs Buck went
next  door  awaiting  return  of  her  husband,  leaving  lights  on  in kitchen  and  living  room.  When she
returned  home  found  everything  in  confusion,  the  drawers  and  boxes  had  been  rifled  and  their

contents  scattered  about.  A  drawer  which  was  usually  left  locked  had  been  broken  open,  with  a
chisel, and a cash box containing a small sum of money in gold and silver taken; also a lady’s silver
watch. They also took some eatables and wine.

1892
East Suff Gaz 5 Apr 

POLICE   COURT:   Superintendent   Gobbett   said   he   had   just   resigned   office.   He   introduced
Superintendent Shipp.
SUPERINTENDENT J GOBBETT: retired aged 72. Police Constable for Suffolk in 1841. Started at

1892
East Suff Gaz 5 Apr 

Dereham, then Earl Soham. Promoted Sergeant 1845, moved to Walton, Bungay in 1852 Inspector in
1857; to  Beccles as Superintendent  in 1861. To Halesworth in 1874. Beccles Council  “approved the
manner in which he has discharged his duties.” In 1885 moved to Lowestoft. Given purse of £30 by

Magistrates and inhabitants of Halesworth.
Two cases he was concerned with: Murder of Police Constable Ebenezer Tye on 25 November 1862
by an old man, John Ducker, who was last man to be publicly hanged in Ipswich in April 1863.

 
 
 
 

The other for conviction of Samuel Kett, miller & merchant of Wrentham for setting fire to his own
malting, granary etc. Sentenced on 23 March 1864 to 20 years.

1892
 

East Suff Gaz 5 Apr 

LICENCES: Maltster’s Arms to Wm R Johnson
One Bell to Harry C Cowles, late of the Maltster’s Arms.

 

1892
1892

East Suff Gaz 5 Apr 

MR FOSTER, Conservative Candidate: Biography.
ACCIDENT:  Mr  &  Mrs  Robert  Martin   driving  to   Lowestoft,  the   horse  fell  down,  throwing

East Suff Gaz 12 Apr 

occupants to the ground. Mr Martin uninjured, but Mrs Martin in bed with severe cuts.
COST of POST OFFICE in Beccles: Postmaster  for Postal work  £124; for telegraph work £11; 11
sub-postmasters £83; telegraph £10. Clerk £48, 9 stampers, messengers, postmen etc £576, telegraph

1892
East Suff Gaz 12 Apr 

£21.
COUNCIL: New  cement paths be  laid  in:  St Mary’s Road from Ringsfield Road to Grange Road;
churchyard,  from the south  gate to  church steps  & from south  gate to  corner  next Newmarket;  St

1892
East Suff Gaz 12 Apr 
George’s Road; The Avenue: Chairs be repaired, & grass edging laid.
Beccles Newspapers from 1891 
David Lindley, Jan 2003 
22
1892
East Suff Gaz 19 Apr 

AMATEUR DRAMATIC SOCIETY “ A Chapter of Accidents” with WJ Rix, Miss CJ Rix & Miss
Hockey etc.

1892
East Suff Gaz 3 May 

SALE: NORTH HOUSE, RAVENSMERE, standing in tastefully arranged Garden, with Surgery and
extensive range  of  Stabling in  rear,  now in the occupation of Mr  E Percival,  vet,  a yearly tenant.

[Withdrawn £520]
SALE:  by  Mrs  Eastaugh:  NEWMARKET:  freehold  Residence  with  good  Garden,  now  in  the

1892
East Suff Gaz 3 May 

occupation of Mrs S Jones, yearly Rental £33 12s.
[H Hopson £490]
LICENCES: Lord Nelson to Henry Aldred; ANGEL to John Cracknell; MARQUIS OF GRANBY to

 
1892

 
East Suff Gaz 3 May 

Henry Larter.
POLICE  COURT:  Charlotte  Youngs  drunk  in  the  Market  Place.  She  was  locked  up  one  night.
Dismissed.

1892
East Suff Gaz 3 May 
1892
East Suff Gaz 10 May 

DIVORCE: Mr Robert Harrison, miller of Beccles obtains divorce on account of his wife’s adultery.
Married 1877. Two children of the marriage. Held in camera.
CO-OP MEETING: Dividend of 2s 6d in the pound on purchases.

1892
1892

East Suff Gaz 10 May 
East Suff Gaz 17 May 

SALE: GRANGE ESTATE: by Messrs Flick & Son: 105 Lots in area of 25 acres. 16 June.
POOR RATE: Rate of 1s 6d in the Pound for 6 months.
CHORAL SOCIETY: Hubert Parry’s “Ode on  St Cecilia’s Day”” etc.  WH Williamson  conductor.

1892
1892

East Suff Gaz 17 May 
East Suff Gaz 17 May 

Society formed 15 years ago.
SALE: Blyburgate: Estate of Rev John Yelloly [He had been Rector of Barsham, deceased]
Lot  1  A  commodious  &  substantially  built  Family  Residence  in  Blyburgate  with  Stables,  Coach

1892
 

East Suff Gaz 24 May 
 

House &  convenient Offices,  an excellent & tastefully laid  out Pleasure Ground enclosed  by brick
walls,  clothed with  choice Fruit Trees, with Vinery, Melon Pit & part  of  a Fish  Pond,  having  an
extensive frontage on Blyburgate & now occupied by Edward Bowles Crowfoot, Esq, whose tenancy

will expire at Michaelmas 1894 at annual Rent of £55
ALSO at the rear of the House & approached by a separate carriageway a brick & tiled thirty quarter

 
 

Malting with Kiln, three  floors, Barley Chamber & Malt  Store,  now occupied by Messrs Crisp  &
Son, whose tenancy will expire at Michaelmas 1892 at annual Rent of £40.

 
 

 
 

[Purchased Mr EB Crowfoot £1125]
Lot  2:  A  substantial  brick  &  tiled  House,  [Blyburgate  40]  Bake  Office  &  Shop  with  Garden  in

Blyburgate, adjoining Lot 1  now occupied by William Dawson, a yearly tenant Rent of £13
ALSO convenient brick & tiled House [Blyburgate 38] adjoining with excellent Garden in rear, now
occupied by Mr John Aldous, yearly tenant, Rent £8.

 
 

 
1892
 

 

[Mr Aldous £500]
SALE: Late Mrs Ellen Dixon:
Residence with offices & large walled-in garden 1r 10p in occupation of Albert Chaston

East Suff Gaz 24 May 

 
 

 
1892
 

Rent £25 p.a. [bought by EB Crowfoot), for £350.
SALE: SMALLGATE & MANOR HOUSE LANE: George Durrant’s: on Thursday 9 June
By order of  Mr WB England

East Suff Gaz 24 May 

 
 

 

LOT 1 A Block of five Capital COTTAGES at the junction of Smallgate & Manor House Lane, in
the  occupation of:  Edward Barkway, Mrs Weavers, Mrs Took, Mrs  Elden & Charles Cracknell,  at
aggregate Rent of £31 4s

 
 

 
 

[Mr H Hopson £200]
LOT 2: A well built White Brick & Slated DWELLING HOUSE with good SHOP in Smallgate in
the occupation of Mr George Knights, watchmaker and jeweller, a quarterly tenant at total of £12 pa.

 
1892

 

[Mr H Hopson £227 10s]
POLICE COURT: Charlotte Youngs, wife of Peter Youngs guilty of wilful damage to windows at the
KING’S HEAD, Newmarket.  She caused a  disturbance  about 6.30 pm, and was put out of the side

East Suff Gaz 24 May 

door. She immediately smashed a window. She was fined 14s 6d, which she could not pay, and was
taken to Norwich  gaol.

1892
East Suff Gaz 24 May 

GRANGE   ESTATE:  Three  years   since  the  Grange   Estate   development  started,  with  several
ornamental villa residences already occupied..  At the corner near the Fauconberge School is a large

plot of land where St Benet’s church will be built. At present only the mission house and a temporary
chapel have been constructed, costing £8000.  The owner has undertaken to lay the necessary drains

and sewers. A building line is fixed, and on 38 plots from Ringsfield, Ashman’s, Grange  & Upper
Grange Roads no building of less than £20 annual value shall be erected. The rates at Beccles are 3s
in the pound, compared with 6s 8d at Yarmouth, 5s 6d at Lowestoft, and Norwich 10s in the pound.

 
 

The river is tidal, and steamers ply between Beccles  and  London through the  enterprise of Messrs
Crisp & Son, at rates which are in some cases less than half the railway rates..
Few towns in the country enjoy greater educational advantages in the shape of really good schools,

 
 
and it has often been lamented that there ae so few houses in the town suitable to accommodate the
Beccles Newspapers from 1891 
David Lindley, Jan 2003 
23

families drawn to such first class education.
SALE: MANOR HOUSE LANE: by Jacob Vertigen (George Durrant), 9th of June

1892
 

East Suff Gaz 31 May 
 

THREE Capital COTTAGES, Two brick and tiled and ONE plaster and tiled in Manor House Lane,
with  a  frontage  of  40ft  and  adjoining  premises  of  Mrs  Goffin,  Mr  WB  England,  The  Colchester

Brewing  Company  in  the  occupation  of  George  Oxborough,  George  Knights  and  Charles  Clarke,
weekly tenants; Rental £15 12s pa.

 
1892
1892

 

[Mr J Nobbs £80]
ADVERTISEMENT: Vulcan Iron Works. Engravings of Engines.**
ARCHDEACON  of  SUFFOLK  instituted:  Rev  Richard  H  Gibson,  Rector  of  Lound  [Archdeacon

East Suff Gaz 31 May 
East Suff Gaz 31 May 

Wooley  had died]
ARTILLERY VOLUNTEERS: Three detachments went to Harwich redoubt to man the 9 inch twelve
ton guns. They then enjoyed a trip to Ipswich on one of the GER’s steamers.

1892
East Suff Gaz 31 May 
1892
East Suff Gaz 31 May 

POLICE COURT: John Stone, labourer of Aldeby found about 3 am lying by the side of the road in
Peddar’s Lane helplessly drunk.. Fined
UNRULY WIFE: Charlotte Youngs, wife of Peter Youngs [He was in 1881 a widower, and was now

1892
East Suff Gaz 31 May 

aged 70] charged with disorderly behaviour at the King’s Head. Harry Youngs asked her to go away
when she  arrived at  7 am.  She would not.  She  came  again & he sent for the police.  She interfered
with the servants.  She was using  disgusting language.  She was apprehended on a warrant.  She was

fined £2 and 9s costs. She could not pay and was sent to Norwich prison for 14 days.
Mr AW Cattermole, overseer in the machine department of the Caxton Press, leaving the town after
26 years. 100 in the King’s Head, given purse of £10.

1892
East Suff Gaz 7 Jun 

1892
1892

East Suff Gaz 14 Jun 

ARTILLERY BAND to play in the Avenue occasionally. First time on 23 June.
TOWN COUNCIL: Royal Oak pub, Ravensmere told to stop keeping pigs.  2) House refuse to  be
collected twice a week. 3) Plans by Mr Dunn for houses in Denmark Road passed also changes to Mr

East Suff Gaz 14 Jun 

Took’s house & shop in [13] Newmarket
PAGE MISSING

1892
1892

East Suff Gaz 21 Jun 
East Suff Gaz 28 Jun 

FAUCONBERGE   SCHOOL  MA  Collins  scholarship  to  Rugby;  AM  Williams,   Scholarship  to
Felsted.

1892
East Suff Gaz 12 Jul 

GENERAL  ELECTION: NORTH SUFFOLK: Harry Foster  (Conservative)  5,099; J Judd  (Liberal)
3909. Majority 1190.

 
1892

 

Suffolk represented by: 4 Tories, 1 Liberal Unionist, 3 Liberals.
POLICE  COURT:  Sarah  Mills    [see  9  June  1874]  charged  Walter  Davey  with  assaulting  her.
Defendant came to her house after dinner on Sunday and thrashed her with a stick. She added, if it

East Suff Gaz 12 Jul 

had  not been for her husband he would have killed her. She had not spoken to him for weeks, but she
admitted,  in  reply to the  magistrate’s  clerk, that she  had had  a “few words” with  his mother, who
called  her  wicked  names,  and  “of  course  I  returned  it”.  (laughter)  Nathaniel  Mills,  her  husband

corroborated. The defendant came to his  house  and  be  at  his wife with  a stick  ; she went for the
poker,  but  he  (the  husband)  got that - no pokers  allowed. Defendant struck  witness two or three
times, and said he would knock his wife’s brains out. Witness put him out of the house and locked the

door, which the defendant smashed. It was not the third or fourth time these rows had occurred.  
Defendant said the complainant called his mother a bad name. He said she was the worse for drink.
This the complainant denied, retorting that he was the worse for drink, and that his mother and all of

 
 

them got drunk. Why, she exclaimed she had ten or a dozen pints a day. I have seen it myself.
Bench imposed a fine of 2 shillings without costs.
SALE OF FURNITURE: 3 St George’s Villas: Mrs Esther Holmes declines housekeeping.

 
1892

 
East Suff Gaz 19 Jul 
1892
East Suff Gaz 19 Jul 

SALE: STATION ROAD: Two  Semi-detached Residences in Station Road with Gardens, known as
Holly Hedge Villas in the occupation of Mrs Flower & Mr EC Field, quarterly tenants at £16 a year
each.

 
1892

 

[Withdrawn £520]
BOARD SCHOOLS Headmistress, Miss Brett presented with worktable for her birthday by teachers

East Suff Gaz 19 Jul 

and pupils.
BISHOP PELHAM visited Beccles & preached twice  on  Sunday “with all  his wonted  energy  and

1892
East Suff Gaz 19 Jul 

vigour”. On Monday he addressed the clergy of the two rural deaneries, about 40 attending, lunch in
the Town Hall afterwards.

1892
1892
1892

East Suff Gaz 19 Jul 

FESTIVAL of CHOIRS: Eight parishes represented and 200 voices.
SALE of FURNITURE: Northgate: Mr JA Capon leaving town.
SALE: ALEXANDRA ROAD: Building Land with frontage of 45ft to the road and Peddar’s Lane &

East Suff Gaz 26 Jul 
East Suff Gaz 26 Jul 

depth of 96ft. Abutting on properties of Mr Samuel Sarbutt & Mr GA Mills.
[Purchased RJ Read £64]
SALE: by late George Boast : LOT 1: [14] Blyburgate  Business Premises, now and for many years

 
1892

 
East Suff Gaz 2 Aug 
past  in  the  occupation  of  Mr  Thomas  Pearce,  grocer  etc,  comprising  comfortable  DWELLING
Beccles Newspapers from 1891 
David Lindley, Jan 2003 
24

HOUSE, commodious Shop & cellarage, Warehouses, Bottle Stores, Yard and Garden;
ALSO  Two  dwelling  Houses  adjoining  now  used  for  business  purposes.  Mr  Pearce  holds  under

 
 

Repairing Lease at yearly Rent of £30 pa.
[Purchased Thomas Pearce £455]

 
1892

 
East Suff Gaz 2 Aug 

LOT 2: by late George Boast: Valuable TRADE PREMISES [12] Blyburgate, near Lot 1, now and
for many years in the occupation of Mr James Branford, harness maker & saddler; consisting of good

DWELLING HOUSE and SHOP, cellerage, Yard and Garden. Yearly Tenant at £18 pa.
[Purchased JS Branford £330]
LOT 3: by late George Boast: Blyburgate: Three Brick & Tiled COTTAGES in the rear of Lots 1 &

 
1892

 
East Suff Gaz 2 Aug 

2, occupied by Bulwer, Reynolds & Pearce, at gross Rental £12 12s 0d pa.
[Purchased Thomas Pearce £100]
LOT 4:  [ No  10?]  SMALLGATE late George Boast: TRADE PREMISES Good Dwelling House,

 
1892

 
East Suff Gaz 2 Aug 

large Brick  Boarded and Tiled Building in two floors each 29ft by 20ft, Yards and other Buildings,
as  in  the  occupation  of  WM  Crowfoot,  Esq  or  undertenant.  Formerly  used  as  a  Builder’s  &
Carpenter’s business.

 
1892

 

[Purchased WM Crowfoot £225]
ARTILLERY CAMP at Harwich. The whole of the 13 Companies from Suffolk and Norfolk there:
700 men out of 900. They will handle heavy guns.

East Suff Gaz 2 Aug 
1892
East Suff Gaz 2 Aug 

FAUCONBERGE SCHOOL Rev JH Raven, Headmaster said The School had won  19 out of the 22
cricket games this year. Many day boys could not be got into the cricket field, a fact which tended to
the formation of a feud which he had always set his face against, between day boys and boarders. Day

boys had the best right to this school, and it was not according to the traditions of the school that they
should  hold  aloof  from  games.  He  hoped  the  parents  would  help  in  this  matter.  There  was  a

good deal of morality learnt from cricket.
Archdeacon Gibson “It was 47 years since he lasted attended a prize giving. On that occasion he was
a prize winner himself. There were two boys who took prizes with him, both of them below him in

 
 

the school, one was JB Lightfoot [Bishop of Durham] and the other in the form below him was EW
Benson, the present Archbishop of Canterbury. Elder boys sometimes looked down on younger ones,

and yet, as in these cases, in the race of life the younger boys might win the race far, far away.
SALE  of FURNITURE:  by H Wollnough, NEWMARKET grocer, who  has sold both  his premises

1892
East Suff Gaz 9 Aug 

and his business
DEATH of Lieut EM Loring of Royal Engineers, formerly of Fauconberge School. Died of Malarial
Feaver  in  China.,  one  of  sons  of  late  Rev  EB  Loring,  Rector  of  Gillingham.  Won  5th  King’s

1892
East Suff Gaz 9 Aug 

Scholarship at Eton in 1880. To Woolwich, 5th out of a large number of candidates.
CO-OP Meeting  under presidency  of Mr MF Buck.  1s   10d dividend for members; 10d  for  non-
members.

1892
East Suff Gaz 2 Aug 
1892
East Suff Gaz 16 Aug 

TO  LET,  LONDON  ROAD:  by  J  Edwin  Crisp.  TWO  COTTAGES,  easily  convertible  into  one
house, pleasantly situated, having aspect to the south; Stable and pig styes, very productive Garden &
grass Paddock. Good water supply.

1892
East Suff Gaz 23 Aug 

Mr Sheriff Foster, MP & his wife have taken Mr Crisp’s House in London Road [the Conservative
Club] will be “At Home on Saturdays between 3 & 6pm.
CHARLOTTE YOUNGS  before Court  again. Drunk  and  disorderly in the King’s Head. Fined  £1

1892
East Suff Gaz 23 Aug 

10s, which she could not pay. To prison for 1 month, hard labour.
COUNCIL: Plan for new House to be built in Queen’s Road by GM Riches approved
CHOLERA OUTBREAKS on the Continent: Precautions taken: Beccles: Flush all water closets and

1892
1892

East Suff Gaz 30 Aug 
East Suff Gaz 6 Sep 

drains; after flushing, a liquid for disinfectant may be had from the Corporation water cart. The water
cart will pass through the streets, lanes and bye-ways on Saturday, Monday & Tuesday, giving notice
by bell.

1892
1892

East Suff Gaz 6 Sep 

COUNCIL: Alterations to [No 11] Newmarket premises of Womack Brooks approved.
LICENCE: Caxton Arms, Ravensmere  to C Bolingbroke

East Suff Gaz 6 Sep 
1892
East Suff Gaz 13 Sep 

DINNER to Mr FOSTER, MP; Chairman: the previous member for the constituency Sir SB Crossley,
Major Wilson, Mr WM Crowfoot, FS Rix etc. Chairman: “in this town there was a larger number of

Volunteers  for  the  population  than  any  other  town  in  the  United  Kingdom.  Colonel  Crowfoot
“Looked back at the 27 years he had been an active member of the Volunteer Force.

1892
East Suff Gaz 6 Sep 

SALE:  PUDDINGMOOR: by instruction  of  Mr Henry Benns:  on Friday 7th October: The  newly
erected  Brick  &  Tiled  RESIDENCE,  good  Brick  &  Tiled  Stable  &  Coachhouse  with  loft  over,
Outbuildings and productive MARKET GARDEN, containing 2a 1r 12p.

 
1892
1892

 

[reserve not reached; withdrawn]
SALE of FURNITURE, late Mrs JP Loxdale, SALTGATE
NEW INHABITANT Rev TD Turner has resigned the Vicarage of Flixton, near Bungay on account

East Suff Gaz 20 Sep 
East Suff Gaz 20 Sep 
of failing health, and is moving to Beccles. He has been in the church 30 years, ordained in 1862. BA
Beccles Newspapers from 1891 
David Lindley, Jan 2003 
25

1862, MA 1867, was Curate at Bishopsworth, Bristol 1862-64, Denton 1864-77, and Vicar of Flixton
since then..[He moved to the “Conservative Club”, 2 London Road. ]

1892
East Suff Gaz 27 Sep 

SALE:   DENMARK   ROAD:   Mrs   Mary   Ann   Briggs.   Two   recently   erected   brick   &   slated
DWELLING  HOUSES abutting upon properties of Mrs Lawrence & Mr Hopson, in the occupation

of Mr HM Read & Mr Jas Rowe, monthly tenants at rents amounting to £20 pa.
[Purchased Mr John Reynolds £312]

 
1892

 
East Suff Gaz 27 Sep 

AGRICULTURAL SHOW of the Mutford, Lothingland and North Suffolk Agricultural Society held
in Worlingham Hall  Park.. Heavy rain made the ground very wet.
SALE of FARMING STOCK by Mrs F Copeman, Swine’s Green, who declines farming.

1892
1892

East Suff Gaz 4 Oct 
East Suff Gaz 4 Oct 

SALE  or  LET: RAVENSMERE: The House,  Sheds &  about half an  acre of Garden, occupation of
late Mr William Page.
To BE LET or SOLD: RAVENSMERE: North House: Comfortable modern RESIDENCE containing

1892
East Suff Gaz 4 Oct 

Reception Rooms & 5 Bedrooms, with Vinery, excellent Stabling & tastefully laid out Gardens.
ADVERTISEMENT: [80] BLYBURGATE: “Black Boy Yard”: HA Bamforth, Hide & Skin Broker.
Thanks for one year’s support.

1892
East Suff Gaz 4 Oct 
1892
East Suff Gaz 4 Oct 

FARMING: The labour question in  East Anglia, owing to  continual bad times,  in consequence of
which a reduction of standard wages to labourers in the summer is contemplated. This has caused a
strike at Mendlesham where it was introduced supported by the Eastern Counties Labour Federation

1892
East Suff Gaz 4 Oct 

RAILWAY congestion at Beccles in three months before Christmas, during the fishing season. The
crossing at Ingate is often blocked by goods trains for 30 minutes. Children then pass over and under
the trucks in order to overcome the obstruction.

1892
East Suff Gaz 4 Oct 

CURACY of BECCLES. Vacant for some  months. Mr Herbert Webster, BA of  Emanuel College,
Cambridge has been offered and accepted the post.
COUNCIL: Plans submitted and passed: 1) A House for Mr Briggs in Denmark Road 2)A House for

1892
East Suff Gaz 11 Oct 

Mr Poll in Alexandria Road 3} A house for Mr Goffin in Upper Grange Road 4) A Mission Room in
Ravensmere by Mr Hopson.

1892
1892

12 Oct 

DEATH OF Alfred Lord TENNYSON
SERVANTS’  REGISTRY  Business  to  be  disposed  of  by  Mrs  Saul.  Apply  The  Laurels,  London  

East Suff Gaz 18 Oct 

Road.
SALE of FURNITURE: Queen’s Road, Mrs Bumstead, who is leaving the area.-

1892
1892

East Suff Gaz 25 Oct 
East Suff Gaz 25 Oct 

SF PELLS giving up Business on expiration of the Lease. Selling off entire Furnishing Stock.
LEMAN SCHOOL: suggestion made that it should be closed and the endowment transferred to the
Fauconberge School. At one time there were more applicants than places. This is no longer the case.

1892
East Suff Gaz 25 Oct 
1892
East Suff Gaz 25 Oct 

APPOINTMENT: Mr Henry William Cutting has been appointed high bailiff of the County Court of
Suffolk held at Beccles and Bungay, on the resignation of Edward Muskett, Esq., who has held the
appointment for nearly 40 years.

1892
 

East Suff Gaz 25 Oct 

LEMAN SCHOOL Lengthy discussion on its future.
An  Assistant  Commissioner,  AC  Eddid  came  to  consider  the  situation  by  order  of  the  Charity
Commissioner.  By  scheme  of  1882  there  were  to  be  2  ex-officio  Governors,  (the  Mayor  &  the

 

Rector) 4 Representative Governors (appointed by the Town Council & the School Board) & 6 Co-
opted - who were originally, Messrs J Crisp, (dead) R Dashwood (now 86) , WE Crowfoot (dead),
EB Fiske (now 69) & JK Garrod  (now 75) & WP Garrod... The Co-opted Governors were elected for

8 years and not for life. There had been no reappointments. Mr Dashwood & Mr Garrod had vacated
by reason of non-attendance. Mr Fiske ought to have been officially reappointed. They ought to have
made new appointments. [Fiske & Rix were lawyers]

 
 

There were two ex-officio Governors & 2 Representative Governors (Mr Masters & Mr Rix) present.
The farms did not bring in sufficient money.
The  Treasurer,  Mr  Clarke  was  asked  how  the  accounts  were  published.  They  were  not  published

 
 

publicly. They were told in Section 15 to publish them; it would be sufficient to put up an abstract on
the church door, but they must be published.

 
 

The Master was not allowed to take Boarders. He was to be paid between £50 and £100 a year plus  
capitation fee of between £3 and £1 a boy. He was now paid £84 and no capitation fee, because there

was insufficient money after the fall in the value of the  land. His daughter who was the Usher was
paid £42 a year. Mr Boyce had been Headmaster for many years [from 1866]

 
 

Chairman: “The Governors generally take it for granted what is necessary will be done. We know the
school will be in good hands. Mr Boyce is an excellent master.” [He was 73 at this time]
Only 21 boys are now at school there of whom 11 lived in Beccles. A few years ago there were 34.

 
 

There were 8 scholarships valued at £3, giving free education.
The school was squeezed between the Elementary Schools, which were now free and very efficient,
and the College. The school was not wanted.

 
 
 
 
The  Commissioner:  My  report  will  be  that  the  Governors  consider  the  utility  of  this  school  has
Beccles Newspapers from 1891 
David Lindley, Jan 2003 
26

passed, and that they would prefer, if the present master can be satisfactorily pensioned, the transfer
of the whole of the endowment to the Fauconberge School.

 
 

[Mr  Boyce  retired  in  1904  at  the  age  of  85  and  died  4  years  later.  The  school  appears  to  have
continued until 1908.]

1892
East Suff Gaz 1 Nov 

SALE   of   LEASE   &  Fittings   &  Furniture;  Malin’s  Hotel,   STATION  ROAD  (Temperance   &
Commercial). Favourable Terms. Good opening for energetic couple.

1892
East Suff Gaz 1 Nov 

TO  LET:  BRIDGE  STREET  building  used  as  the  CHURCH MISSION  ROOM.  Apply  Mr  GD
Maddle, Northgate [By this time the new Mission Room in Ravensmere had probably been built]
MARRIAGE of Rev IH Colls of the Baptist Church to Miss Florence Roe of Framsden.

1892
1892

East Suff Gaz 1Nov 
East Suff Gaz 1Nov 

LICENCE John Brown, late of Norwich to the Spread Eagle
SALE:  NEWGATE,  Mr  Leavold;  Substantial  Brick  &  Tiled  freehold  COTTAGE,  containing  two
Front  Rooms  and  two  Bedrooms,  with  side  entrance,  Yard,  Shed  and  offices,  now  occupied  by

1892
East Suff Gaz 8 Nov 

Messrs EH Cocksedge & co, scale makers, Ipswich at weekly rent of 2s 6d.
CHURCH CHOIR commended for singing  Stainer’s  anthem: “What are these which  are  arrayed in
white robes? and whence come they?”

1892
East Suff Gaz 8 Nov 
1892
East Suff Gaz 8 Nov 

BECCLES CHURCH: Memorial stained glass window, by Messrs Heaton, Butler has been placed in
the Chancel  in memory of the  late Miss Mary Crowfoot. The  subject  representing the ministry of
women, consist of the Salutation, Mary of Bethany, and Dorcas.

1892
East Suff Gaz 8 Nov 

FLOODS: The recent rains have  again  caused the river to overflow. The water first broke  over the
wall near Dunburgh, and  on Tuesday Gillingham Dam was  impassable for  a second time this year.
Mr Darby’s premises were also flooded, the water rising so high that work at the saw mill and in the

yard  had to  be stopped,  and  all hands were thrown  out  of  employment. A quantity of timber was
washed away, a lot of deals and boards were damaged, and the stables were flooded so much that all
the nine horses had to be sent away. The cottages adjoining narrowly escaped. One inch higher and

they would have been flooded. Messrs Crisp & Mr C Smith’s maltings were flooded, and so was Mr
Saul’s timber yard and the adjoining property

1892
1892

East Suff Gaz 8 Nov 

BOROUGH FUND Expenses in year £3864, Balance in hand £835
SCHOOL BOARD: Miss Brett resigned, giving 3 month’s notice. Given high praise for her work.

East Suff Gaz 8 Nov 

1892
1892

East Suff Gaz 8 Nov 

CO-OP gave 1s 10d in the pound.
COUNCIL: PLANS accepted; 1)House in Queen’s Road by Mr Dunn.  2) Plan by Mr A Pells for Mrs

East Suff Gaz 8 Nov 

Woolner for bakery at the back of her premises in Blyburgate
TO BE LET: Premises now carried on as an Ironmonger’s by the owner and present occupier, who is
leaving England. William Spear, [7] Blyburgate

1892
East Suff Gaz 15 Nov 
1892
East Suff Gaz 15 Nov 

Councillor   ALFRED   WOODS   re-elected   Mayor.;   Aldermen   appointed   FS   Rix   and      Wilson
(Alderman C Smith did not seek re-election.)
TO LET: Six roomed COTTAGE in DENMARK ROAD: Apply AE Mickleburgh, Denmark Road

1892
1892

East Suff Gaz 22 Nov 
East Suff Gaz 22 Nov 

THE  AGED  POOR  provision  cannot  be  left  as  it  is.  Mr  Foster,  MP  has  referred  one  part  of  the
question to a Royal Commission into the working of the Poor Law.
LADY  MAGISTRATE  appointed  at  Wyoming  not  the  first.  In  the  reign  of  Queen  Mary  Lady

1892
East Suff Gaz 22 Nov 

Berkley was a magistrate for Gloucestershire & Lady Rous for Suffolk.
Mr Fowler is being pressed (as President of the Local Government Board) to reform the qualification
and election which makes almost every Board of Poor Law Guardians an anti-Progressive stronghold.

 
 
1892
East Suff Gaz 22 Nov 

SHIPPING NEWS : The ss Aranci sailed  on Thursday and  arrived  on  Sunday; the ss Jeanie Hope
sailed  on Thursday  and  arrived  on  Saturday; the ss  Elsy  arrived  on  Friday  and sailed on  Sunday.
[similar notices most weeks]

1892
East Suff Gaz 22 Nov 

BECCLES  COLLEGE:  Mr HE  Landon,  who  for  the  last  two  years  has  been  teaching  at  Beccles
College has gained a BA at London University.
BECCLES   WATER   COMPANY:   841   houses   supplied,   33   more   than   previously.   Domestic

1892
East Suff Gaz 22 Nov 

consumption increased, but the fall in the metered consumption was caused by the general depression
of trade. Rate of 4% dividend free of tax.

1892
1892

East Suff Gaz 29 Nov 

LOST: Silver Pencil Case by W Ayrton, Saltgate; Reward 7s 6d.
PROPERTY QUALIFICATION for Guardian has been reduced to £5 by Mr Foster, MP.

East Suff Gaz 22 Nov 
1892
East Suff Gaz 22 Nov 

WHEAT, in Norfolk, 53,000 fewer acres than in 1874, the last good year for farmers. The wheat crop
that year was worth £2 million, in 1891 only £1 million. This year’s crop only 3/4 of a million

1892
East Suff Gaz 22 Nov 

ELECTION for Town Council: Nominations: Francis Banham, architect, proposed by Robert J Read,
seconded by Henry Read. Charles Durrant, auctioneer, proposed by JM Brundell, seconded by C Poll.
Mr Durrant withdrew. Mr Banham elected unopposed.

1892
East Suff Gaz 22 Nov 

ACCIDENT: A young man named Chapman employed at Elliott & Garood’s was adjusting a strap on
the main shaft when he was caught up by his clothes, and before anything could be done to prevent,
he was whirled round the shaft ten or a dozen times. It was a miracle that he escaped with his life.

The shafting is less than two feet from the floor above; but the young fellow was fixed to the shaft in
Beccles Newspapers from 1891 
David Lindley, Jan 2003 
27

such a position that neither his head nor his feet struck the flooring, so that his injuries were confined
to local bruises and the shock. His clothes were so entangled with the shaft gear that they had to be

cut to pieces before he could be liberated from his painful position. He was conveyed to Hospital in
an  insensible  condition,  but soon  recovered  under the  care  of the  doctors,  and is  now  nearly well

again.
POOR RATE, Vestry Meeting: 2s  2d in the pound required: Guardians £979; Borough Rate  £800;

1892
East Suff Gaz 22 Nov 

School Board £350; Burial Board £150; Expenses £41; Total: £2320.
AMATEUR DRAMATIC production of “Pip’s Patron” by WJ Rix derived from Dickens. Praised.
DEATH of Rev John Yelloly, then of Clare died 29 March 1892.

1892
1892

East Suff Gaz 6 Dec 
East Suff Gaz 13 Dec 
1892
East Suff Gaz 13 Dec 

CHORAL SOCIETY Two works in strong contrast: Mendelsohn’s “Hymn of Praise” Coral Ballad by
C Villers Stanford Tennyson’s “Revenge”. Also Mr WE Tuddenham & Mr Percy Woodgate (playing
his £1000 Stradivarius) played Spohr’s grand duo for two violins.

1892
1892

East Suff Gaz 13 Dec 

COUNCIL: Premises of Mr FW Folgate licensed as cow-keeper.
POLICE COURT: James Read, landlord of the George and Dragon found guilty of cards  for money
being  played  on  his  premises  illegally.  Had  previously  been  warned.    Colchester  Brewery,  the

East Suff Gaz 13 Dec 

owners, had  given  him 14 days notice. Fined £10 & 17s 6d  costs. The  Licence was  endorsed. The
publican would not be allowed to run licensed premises in future.
MATCHES:  We sometimes  hear  of Unnecessary roughness in   [football] matches  in  England, but

1892
East Suff Gaz 27 Dec 

fortunately it is the exception rather than the rule. In contrast in America a report mentions that in a
match between Princetown  and  Yale “there was no slugging, no hair pulling and no kicking  in the
face when he was down.--  This, for a University match must be pronounced highly satisfactory.”

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Beccles Newspapers from 1891 
David Lindley, Jan 2003 
28
BECCLES NEWSPAPERS 1893
1893
East Suff Gaz 3  Jan 

THE LAST YEAR: The Nation had to mourn a Prince and great Cardinal & the most powerful non-
Conformist preacher since Whitfield. Then the dreadful influenza epidemic. The death of the greatest

poet  of  the  Victorian  era.  Some  of  the  worst  strikes  that  ever  paralysed  happened,  affecting  the  
dividends of the largest Railway companies. Trade languished, the Harvest was one of the worst on

record..  There  was  a  general  collapse  of  building  societies,  causing  misfortune  to  thousands  of
families. The year saw a great ewakening in the form of Labour, the formation of a party. Poverty is a
national disgrace. Parties vie with each other to produce most liberal scheme of old age pensions --

but still distant.
In Beccles influenza did not kill many directly, but increased the death rate in the first quarter to 47, a
higher rate than any for the last 20 years. Two or three cases of Scarlet Fever.

 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

The Rector supported the continuation of the Leman School and was opposed to its closure.
Sergeant- Instructor Roff’s term of service extended for five years.
A new bridge over the Railway has been erected

1893
East Suff Gaz 3  Jan 

Mr Foster, MP,  has given an enamelled badge as a pendant to the Mayor’s chain of office. On one
side it shows the present arms & on the other, the ancient arms of the town and is surmounted by a
small coronet.

1893
East Suff Gaz 10  Jan 

WORLINGHAM  HALL  Horses  sale  by  Charles  J  Ross,  who  is  leaving  the  district.  [attempted
burglary 13 September 1891]

1893
1893

East Suff Gaz 10  Jan 

FREE LAND IN CANADA; 160 acres given to settlers in Manitoba & the North-West Territories.
TO LET: BLYBURGATE: Old-established Baker’s Shop. Apply John Aldous.

East Suff Gaz 10  Jan 
1893
East Suff Gaz 10  Jan 

LICENCES: 1) The Spread Eagle from Elizabeth Page to John Brown 2) The George & Dragon from
James Read to Charles Baldwin of Holton.

1893
1893
1893

East Suff Gaz 10  Jan 

BRILLIANT METEOR illuminated the town for several seconds on Wednesday evening at 6.30 pm.
WEATHER: Skating on the river from Wednesday to Sunday, when thaw started.
SOUP KITCHEN: At noon the doors are opened and people form a queue and present tickets. A tin
or  jug  presented  with  the  card.  From  two  large  coppers  the  jugs  are  filled  with  correct  quantity

East Suff Gaz 10  Jan 
East Suff Gaz 10  Jan 

specified. Each given the third of a loaf of bread from a huge pile. Some took home only one pint, but
many took 4 or 6. 224 families were supplied on Friday
At present the soup kitchen is open only on Tuesdays and Fridays, but if severe weather continues it

 
 

will probably be open  a third day.. Recipe of soup for copper holding 50  gallons:  3st 7lbs; peas  4
pecks; oat meal 8lbs;  onions 1 & 1/4 peck; potatoes 1 & 3/4 peck;  carrots 1 & 1/4 peck;  celery &
pepper 1/4 lb each; salt. Soup boiled for 6 hours.

1893
12  Jan 

INDEPENDENT LABOUR PARTY set  up under James Keir Hardie and the two other  Socialists
elected in the General election. This was not mentioned in the East Suffolk Gazette.
UNEMPLOYED:  30  married  men  and  some  unmarried  men  employed  for  stubbling  up  furze  on

1893
East Suff Gaz 17  Jan 

Common. Married men paid 3d an hour; unmarried paid 2d 1/2d.
More unemployed to be used, also for clearing the streets of snow.
The Mayor said he had been called upon by 13 married men & 11 unmarried men who said they had

 
 

 
 

nothing to do, and no means to supply themselves or their families with food.
Rev  WH Muncaster  charged by a  14 year old servant, Alice Callow, of  criminal  assault. Full court
case covered in detail. The Bench decided that there was no case to answer. Her sister and brother-in-

1893
East Suff Gaz 24  Jan 

law, John (engine driver) and Ann Sampson of Puddingmoor.
ORATORIO held in St Michael’s: Mendelsohn’s “St Paul”. Church filled by a vast congregation. Mr

1893
East Suff Gaz 31  Jan 

Williamson played the organ; Soprano solos taken by Dunn, one of the choir boys, acquitted himself
wonderfully well.

1893
East Suff Gaz 131 Jan 

BIGAMY CHARGE: Mr John Silburn, of Maningtree, cabinet maker, married Lillian Brown, when
his wife was still alive. Lillian Browne said she was living with her father in Beccles [at 2 Yoxford

Villas,  Frederick’s  Road,  when  she  met  her  husband  in  1891,  whom  she  married  at  the  Registry
Office at Colchester in May 1892. [7 March 1893 found not guilty]
SHIP’S ACCIDENT: The ss Jeannie Hope, belonging to Messrs J Crisp & Son bound from Norwich

1893
East Suff Gaz 7 Feb 

to  Beccles.  The  steamer  had  reached  Burgh  Staithe  when  she  came  into  collision  with  a  wherry
containing  a  cargo of  coal. A large  hole was  knocked  in the iron plates  of the  bow of the Jeannie
Hope,  but  fortunately  was  not  damaged  below  the  water  mark,  and  was  able  to  steam  back  to

Lowestoft. The wherry was little damaged. The Jeannie Hope was repaired by Page & Chambers, and
has since sailed for London
COUNCIL: House refuse to be collected free if  portable containers were provided by the owners  of

1893
East Suff Gaz 7 Feb 

property.
LICENCE: Henry Davey of Framlingham to take the Sun, [Newgate]
INGATE  IRON  WORKS  benefit  Society,  chaired  by  Mr  William  Elliott.  He  spoke  of  the  good

1893
1893

East Suff Gaz 7 Feb 
East Suff Gaz 7 Feb 
Beccles Newspapers from 1891 
David Lindley, Jan 2003 
29

relations between employers and employed. Society paid out for doctors’ fees and sick pay.
Mr TJ  Woodrow,  of  local  electioneering  fame  is  to  be  Chairman  of  the  City  of  London  School

1893
East Suff Gaz 14 Feb 

Committee in connection with the Corporation of London.
COUNCIL: Plan & specification for the  erection  of  a  house  in  London Road for HW Cutting was

1893
East Suff Gaz 14 Feb 

examined and passed.
FIRE  at BECCLES COLLEGE  in servant’s  room. Put  out  quickly by the Fire Brigade. A  certain

1893
East Suff Gaz 14 Feb 

amount of damage caused.
DEATH of Mr John Smithers,  a deacon of the Congregational Church.
DEATH of WW Garnham. He was an Alderman of the Borough and twice Mayor. He succeeded his

1893
1893

East Suff Gaz 14 Feb 
East Suff Gaz 14 Feb 

father  in  the  proprietorship    of  a  large  drapery  business  carried  on  at  the  Thatched  House  in
Blyburgate, but removed into private life 25 years ago, and removed to Lowestoft, where he died last
Saturday. He was the  founder of the  Lowestoft Observer, which  he  established  as  an  independent

newspaper.  It  was  printed  for   several  years   at  the   offices   of  the   East   Suffolk  Gazette,  but
subsequently passed into  other  hands. His  genial, humorous,  and kindly nature made  him welcome
among a wide circle of friends of all classes. He was 79 years of age.

1893
East Suff Gaz 28 Feb 

Rev  WH Muncaster  left Beccles  on  a  visit to Rome where  he will stay  at the villa  of  a  friend for
about  5 weeks.
WALL  BLOWN  DOWN  in  Sunday’s  gale:  20  yards  of  high  brick  wall  at  the  back  of  Mr  H

1893
East Suff Gaz 28 Feb 

Read’sgarden in Fair Close, fell into the garden.
DEATH of the ARTILLERY BANDMASTER,  Mr G Chaston. Had  violent  attack of pleurisy. He
came  from Norwich  about two years  ago, where  for  25 years  he was  bandmaster  of the Norwich

1893
East Suff Gaz 7 Mar 

Artillery Band.. He was  an excellent musician.. He  leaves a  crippled daughter of 13  and two sons,
who are earning their own living.
RAVENSMERE  MISSION  ROOM will  seat  about  150  people  is  the  gift  of  Mrs  John  Rustat  in

1893
East Suff Gaz 7 Mar 

memory of  her  sister-in-law Miss Mary Crowfoot of Ballygate. The site  at the  corner  of Denmark
Road is the gift of J Edwin Crisp.

1893
East Suff Gaz 14 Mar 

TEMPERANCE   ENTERTAINMENTS  for  the  PEOPLE;   fortnightly  meetings  held  in  Darby’s
Rooms, Mr Spear presiding. Songs sung, duets and recitations.

 
CHURCH of ENGLAND TEMPERANCE Society monthly meeting in Ingate Mission Hall. Lecture
by WM Crowfoot on “Food and Plants”. Solo by Mrs Crowfoot and several piano pieces.

1893
East Suff Gaz 14 Mar 
1893
East Suff Gaz 14 Mar 

“LOVE  and UNITY”  Lodge No  3487: the  6th Anniversary  of this Good Templars’  Lodge: Public
entertainment in the Town Hall. Presided over by Rev WD Boycott, Rector, Burgh St Peter.
COUNCIL: Stock of coal at steam mill low, so Mayor ordered wherry freight of coal.

1893
 

East Suff Gaz 14 Mar 
 

Plans of House in Denmark Road  for Mr Reynolds passed
WANTED  to  PURCHASE:  Potato  and  Roots,  also  Green  Stuff  --  W  Butcher,  Stratford  Market,
London E

1893
East Suff Gaz 21 Mar 

1893
1893

East Suff Gaz 21 Mar 

SOLD: by Messrs Durrant: TWO COTTAGES in FAIR CLOSE. Purchased Mr A Gordon £287.
SERIOUS ACCIDENT at CLOWES: Ellen Playford at work on a double cylinder printing machine,
receiving the printed sheets on a table between the cylinders  as they pass through the machine, her

East Suff Gaz 21 Mar 

hand  was  caught  between  the  revolving  cylinders  above  her  head,  and  her  right  arm  was  drawn
between the cylinders, At the Hospital the arm had to be amputated just above the elbow.
ACCIDENT: Late on Monday night Martin Boon was driving Mr Sampson & Mr Flynn to the Horse

1893
East Suff Gaz 21 Mar 

& Groom the cart was overturned in consequence of a heap of manure left in Caxton Road. It was too
dark to see the pile, and no light was given of the danger.  Mr Sampson received very serious injuries
to his head, but he managed to walk to his house a short distance away. He was covered in blood and

Mr Aldous the surgeon was called for assistance.
BECCLES CO-OP Ham Tea for 250 in Town Hall.  Mr MF Buck in the Chair.
SALE of STOCK of SF PELLS. giving up his Household Furnishing Business.

1893
1893

East Suff Gaz 21 Mar 
East Suff Gaz 28 Mar 
1893
East Suff Gaz 28 Mar 

CURIOUS  INCIDENT  at  the  parish  Church  of  Weald  of  Kent.  The  bells  had  been  rung  for  the
morning service, and the congregation were seated awaiting the arrival of the vicar. As he failed to

put in an appearance the churchwardens, after waiting a considerable time, proceeded to the vicarage.
Contrary  to  their  expectations  they  found  their  pastor  there  in  his  usual  health,  but  from  some

unexplained cause, he had forgotten the day was Sunday.
NEW BISHOP of NORWICH: Rev John Sheepshanks, Vicar of St Margaret, Anfield, Liverpool. He

1893
East Suff Gaz 28 Mar 

was scholar of Christ’s College, Cambridge, took 2nd class in Theology in 1856. Ordained to Parish
Church  of  Leeds.  From  1859-67  Rector  of  New  Westminster,  Columbia.  Held  family  living  in
Yorkshire for  5 years, and for last 20 years  has been at Anfield,  an important  church in suburbs of

Liverpool. He is a High Churchman.
TO LET: Good Stabling and Coach House, Stead & Simpson, NEWMARKET.
1) THEFT of SAUSAGES from George Smith’s butcher’s shop [16 Hungate] by Pollie west, single

1893
1893

East Suff Gaz 4 Apr 
East Suff Gaz 4 Apr 
woman, aged 24. Watched by Constable who saw her walk up and down in front of shop a number of
Beccles Newspapers from 1891 
David Lindley, Jan 2003 
30

times and cut them down from the hook outside the shop and put them in her basket. Given 14 days
hard labour.

 
 

2)  William  Woolnough,  carpenter,  charged with  leaving pile of muck in Caxton Road,  causing  an
accident, Fine of 3s 6d and costs of 11s 6d.

1893
1893

East Suff Gaz 18 Apr 

REDISHAM HALL for SALE, executors John Garden; 1,753 acres.[income £1872]
Mr HA BAMFORD, who represented K & W Garrod as buyer and managed their fellmongering and

East Suff Gaz 18 Apr 

leather dressing department for several years moved to Torquay.
THEFT of FLOWERS from Gardens in Station Road by boys & then sold in another part of the town.
Mr GA Love caught Edward Pretty stealing three hyacinths growing beneath his window.+

1893
East Suff Gaz 18 Apr 
1893
East Suff Gaz 18 Apr 

ARCHDEACON tells clergy that there is increasing poverty amongst clergy. Parishes should all take
an Easter collection for the incumbent.
COUNCIL: Plans for new buildings passed: 1) Two Houses on the Grange Estate for Mr Parker.  2)

1893
East Suff Gaz 18 Apr 

New Stables at the Black Boy  3) Three cottages in Alexandria Road for Mr J Underwood 4) Three
Houses in Denmark Road for Mr James Knights.  5) Four Houses on the Grange  Estate for Messrs
Elliott & Garrood.

1893
East Suff Gaz 25 Apr 

TO LET, Holly House, LONDON ROAD, furnished for the summer, containing two Sitting and five
Bedrooms. Use of Tennis Court.
BANKRUPT: Robert Frankland, saddler.

1893
1893

East Suff Gaz 25 Apr 
East Suff Gaz 25 Apr 

ANNUAL BALL of Artillery Volunteers.. Dancing was kept up until daylight.
COUNCIL: Considering  use of infirmary  at Workhouse  at  SHIPMEADOW for  cases  of  infectious
diseases. There were 40 beds, isolated  from the Union House in which were barely 100 inmates. The

1893
East Suff Gaz 25 Apr 

alternative might be a canvas tent that could be burnt afterwards.
2) Complaints about supply of water. In Grange Road water was not available much of the time. The
Waterworks Company must supply the necessary water.

 
 

1893
1893

East Suff Gaz 9 May 

ILLNESS of Rev WH Muncaster at home from the Continent.
FUNERAL  of  Mr  WG  Sayer,  Secretary  of  the  Working  Men’s  Co-Op.  “He  had  given  his  best

East Suff Gaz 9 May 

services to the society since its formation about 13 years ago.”
TO LET, 1 Salisbury Place, STATION ROAD.

1893
1893
1893

East Suff Gaz 16 May 
East Suff Gaz 9 May 

SALE by Official Receiver of Stock Robert Franklin, bankrupt saddler.
BISHOP PELHAM will resign from Bishopric of Norwich on Wednesday.

East Suff Gaz 16 May 
1893
East Suff Gaz 16 May 

NEW STEAM WHERRY - The Topaz, a new iron wherry built at Gainsborough for Messrs Crisp,
has arrived at Lowestoft.
CHORAL SOCIETY: Handel’s Oratorio “Saul” in Town Hall

1893
1893

East Suff Gaz 16 May 
East Suff Gaz 16 May 

BANKRUPTCY of Robert  Frankland, saddler, Newmarket.  Started  in 1873 with  £16 Capital. He
occupied a shop belonging to his father-in-law, Mr Cooper, who died 14 years ago. His rent was £18.
He  had  not  speculated   outside  his  business;  and  bad  trade,   competition   and  bad  debts  were

responsible for his failure.
TO LET: House and Grocer’s Shop in Fair Close
EASTERN & MIDLANDS RAILWAY taken over by Midland & Great Northern ; will be known as

1893
1893

East Suff Gaz 30 May 
East Suff Gaz 30 May 

Midland & Great Northern Joint Railway.
DEATH of Mr JW Gobbitt, grocer. He has lived in the town for 6 or 7 years.+
SALE: Frontage of 71ft on Newgate: Substantial Dwelling House   & spacious Shop, with Offices,

1893
1893

East Suff Gaz 30 May 
Sale, 19 Jun 

all now used for trade purposes, & large Warehouses & stabling in rear occupied by Beccles Working
Men's Association; Rent £40 [Nos 11 & 13]
AND

 
 

 
 

 
 

Dwelling House & Fish Shop & Offices occupied Geo Drake & W Goffin [No 15]  Rent £15
AND Cottage adjoining, recently occupied Mrs Turner [No 15.1] at £6-10-0
AND Double  Cottage  in  rear  with  Offices  &  garden  occupied  Jas  Haddingham  [No  17]  &  Sam

 
 

 
 

Lutkins [No 19] £13 pa
Annual rental £74 10s;  (Withdrawn £500)

 
1893

 
East Suff Gaz 6 Jun 

SALE: Newgate by Robert Leavold: Substantial brick & tiled Freehold Cottage. Yard, & Offices, late
occupied by Messrs EH Cocksedge, (scale makers, Ipswich) Rent 2s 6d

 
 
(withdrawn) 
 

1893
1893

East Suff Gaz 6 Jun 

THUNDERSTORMS The houses in Ingate, near the Black Boy were flooded.
POLICE: Inspector Hubbard to be Superintendent and moves to Woodbridge; Inspector John Lingley

East Suff Gaz 6 Jun 

from Bungay to Beccles.
COUNCIL:  Plans  approved  for  1)  new  House  on  the  Grange  Estate  [Ringsfield  Road]  for  Mr
Grimshaw. 2) Two Houses in Denmark Road for Mr J Reynolds

1893
East Suff Gaz 13 Jun 
1893
East Suff Gaz 13 Jun 

LETTER complaining of state  of Stepping Hill: steps of different heights, the spare piece of ground
next to them is used,  apparently,  as a  dustbin  and receptacle for old lobster tins, left-off boots, and
such-like lumber. The wall next the street is dangerously low.

Beccles Newspapers from 1891 
David Lindley, Jan 2003 
31
1893
East Suff Gaz 13 Jun 

COURT  CASE:  J  Allen  of  Beccles,  builder  sued  by  labourer  of  Norwich  for  damages  under
Employer’s Liability. He was working in Norwich for defendant at Lipton’s shop in the Haymarket,

which was  being pulled down.  Struts put between walls -  one strut fell  down  and injured him. Mr
Banham, the architect concerned, gave evidence. No case of negligence proved.

1893
East Suff Gaz 20 Jun 

DEATH of Mons Pringee at Boulogne, where he had held an official position since leaving Beccles 7
years ago. In Boulogne he was Director of the National School of Music in that town.

 
 

He was French master of the schools of Beccles and neighbourhood, also  Bandmaster for many years
of  the  Rifle  and  Artillery  Bands,  which  were  brought  to  a  high  state  of  efficiency  under  his
instruction.

1893
East Suff Gaz 20 Jun 

COUNCIL:  Water  pressure  criticised.  The  Council  to  get  legal  advice  from  Mr  Nicholson  of
Lowestoft (Mr Angell, Beccles Town Clerk was also clerk to the Waterworks, so a conflict of interest
would  occur)  Differences  of  opinion  between  Alderman  Masters  and  Councillor  Buck.  Alderman

Masters said Councillor Buck was in  a privileged position here. He could report his own speeches,
and had the power to report others as he chose and entirely alter the spirit of what was intended. He
did not complain of him as a  Councillor, but he did complain of him as being Reporter as well.

1893
East Suff Gaz 27 Jun 

Walter  George,  fisherman  of  Beccles,  charged  at  Lowestoft  for  leaving  his  wife,  Emily,  and  5
children chargeable to the parish. They had entered the Workhouse and been chargeable for 39 days
Defendant said he used to earn £1 a month, but now only 6s. His wife had been fined for cruelty to

the children..
BRITISH IRONCLAD, the Victoria sunk. A new Battleship,  completed  in  1887, run  into by HMS
Camperdown  during  manoeuvres  about  five  miles  off  Tripoli.  The  Victoria  was  sunk  with  the

1893
East Suff Gaz 27 Jun 

Admiral   and  about 358 officers  and men.  280 were saved. The Camperdown  received  no serious
damage.
LEMAN SCHOOL: elected to the Leman School: Walter rime & William Aldous.

1893
1893

East Suff Gaz 4 Jul 
East Suff Gaz 4 Jul 

CHURCH  of  St  MICHAEL’S:  Roof.  The  experimental  tie  rods  having  given  satisfaction  to  the
committee, an order has been given for the fixing of the necessary number of tie-rods to fully secure

the roof. An account to defray the cost has been opened at Messrs Gurney’s Bank.
INGATE MISSION ROOM: Opened again after renovation and cleaning.

1893
1893

East Suff Gaz 4 Jul 
East Suff Gaz 4 Jul 

ROYAL WEDDING celebrated in Beccles: Rifle Volunteers will parade at half past eleven and fire a
feu de  joie  on Mr Hockey’s meadow  adjoining the Avenue. At 12.30 a  dinner will be  given  at the

Town Hall to persons over 60 years  of age,  and  at 2pm the  children of the town will  assemble and
march in procession to Newmarket where they will sing the National Anthem and other hymns. Rural
Sports  o the Common  are planned for  4.30 pm. Notices  have  been  issued by the Mayor  inviting  a

liberal display of  bunting;  householders would make  a  great attraction  in the principal streets if all
would illuminate the front of their houses in the evening, which will otherwise be a blank.
Mr JB Holton  has published a  circular setting  forth the  many attractions which Beccles offers to

1893
East Suff Gaz 11 Jul 

visitors, together with a list of hotels, apartments etc. 2d each
BOARD of GUARDIANS: Mr Jude resigned as Relieving Officer, which he has held for nearly 35
years.

1893
East Suff Gaz 11 Jul 

1893
1893
1893

East Suff Gaz 11 Jul 

DEATH of MISS Frances HARVEY at her house in London Road.. She was 78.
COUNCIL: Plans for extension of Clowes Works passed.
SALE:  NORTHGATE:  FURNITURE:  Montagu  House  by  WH  Garrod,  who  is  leaving  Beccles.:

East Suff Gaz 11 Jul 
East Suff Gaz 18 Jul 

Suites in Mahogany & Oak, Rosewood etc Oil Paintings. 150 dozens of Port.
BURGLARY in BALLYGATE at Cliff House when Mr & Mrs Ayrton were on holiday in Ireland.
They ransacked the house and drank some beer and took an old oak chest containing plated dessert

1893
East Suff Gaz 18 Jul 

spoons, carvers, knives and  forks with ivory handles. They probably took some jewellery.
NORWICH ASSIZES: Rev AC Pearson, a senior chaplain in the Bengal Establishment, and son-in-
law of the Rector of Ringsfield v Rev JH Raven, Headmaster  of the Fauconberge  School,  claiming

1893
East Suff Gaz 25 Jul 

damages for slander. Raven apologised to Pearson for saying that Pearson was drunk at a dance given
by  defendant  in  1885,  now  thought  he  was  mistaken  and  withdrew  the  statement.  The  Case  was

withdrawn and there would be no costs to the case.
GLADSTONE’S HOME RULE BILL gets through the Commons “amidst scenes of riot and disorder

1893
East Suff Gaz 1 Aug 

unparalleled  in the  history of British  Parliament. It  cannot   be  a matter  altogether of surprise that
angry passions should have at last got beyond control, and have culminated in a battle of fisticuffs on

the floor of the House.”
Mr HS FOSTER, MP will occupy Geldeston Hall during August and September.
HANDICAP  SAILING MATCH: ”Jumbo” AW Darby; “Spider” TP Angell; “Buttercup” CF Parker;

1893
1893

East Suff Gaz 1 Aug 
East Suff Gaz 1 Aug 

“Sunbeam”  A  Pells;  “Wild  Roses”  TA  Woodroffe;  “Fancy”  H  Bullen:  “Eclipse”  WT  Woodroffe;
“Laurie” GA Stanford; “Ethel” FE Banham. There was a very light wind and the cutters went to the
front, with “Laurie” & “Ethel” in the lead. Later they were becalmed and the match abandoned.

1893
East Suff Gaz 1 Aug 
FAUCONBERGE  SCHOOL  Prize  Day.  Rev  Raven  said  it  was  his  twentieth  Prize  Day.  “The
Beccles Newspapers from 1891 
David Lindley, Jan 2003 
32

position  of  a modern schoolmaster was  not  altogether  a  bed  of roses.  It was  one  of  great pressure
from  all sides, but while there was  extra  competition  all round,  he was  afraid there was not  extra

brains  or  extra  industry.” He  referred to  an  article in New Review, where the writer thought “the
schoolmasters of the country were a poor sort of enlightened idiots, and that they seemed to him most

conscientious persons, who always left their duty undone.”
DYSON’S DIORAMA & Gypsy CHOIR performed in the Town Hall all the week.

1893
1893

East Suff Gaz 8 Aug 
East Suff Gaz 8 Aug 

MARRIAGE  of  John  Robert  Crisp  (only  son  of  J  Edwin  Crisp)  to  Miss  Ethel  Cooper-Brown  of  
Thorpe  at  St  George’s,  Hanover  Square.  155  of  Mr  Crisp’s  workforce,  including  wives  &  some
tradesmen of the town on  a river  excursion on  board the  ss  Elsy. The tradesmen went  on the  new

steam  wherry  Topaz.  They  left  at  10.30  am  &  returned  at  9  pm  having  visited  Oulton  Broad  &
Somerleyton. Dinner & tea were provided on board by Mr Youngs, of the King’s Head. Glasses filled
with Champagne.

1893
East Suff Gaz 8 Aug 

POLICE COURT: 1)  Alfred  Larter,  late  of Marquis  of Granby, failed to pay Poor Rate  of  £1  7s..
Could not pay; warrant of distress issued. 2) Mrs Nash of the Star Hotel charged with serving drinks
at  7am  on  Sunday  morning  when  only  travellers  were  allowed  to  be  served.  Said  she  was  very

concerned about her son who was ill and died the next day. She was cautioned.
Mr Lasar,  an American artist, pupil  of Jerome,  is  at Walberswick, where  he  is  holding  a  class for
open-air painting. Most of his pupils are American and English ladies; the demonstrations take place

1893
East Suff Gaz 15 Aug 

in a barn.
SCARLET FEVER: Miss Thompson, of the Post Office  has  caught  Scarlet  Fever. The patient has
been removed to NORTH HOUSE, RAVENSMERE, where thorough isolation is possible.

1893
East Suff Gaz 15 Aug 
1893
East Suff Gaz 29 Aug 

A new BATHING PLACE required. The rather dilapidated wooden shed and a few feet of singularly
uninviting looking water are the sole accommodation  for bathing.
DEATH of Mr GB ANGELL, at his house in Blyburgate. Had not been well and on Friday had an

1893
East Suff Gaz 29 Aug 

attack  of  apoplexy,  He  studied  for  the  Church  at  Corpus  College,  Cambridge,  took  his  BA  but
abandoned ideas  of the  church. He was  appointed Town Clerk  of Beccles  in  September, 1857  and

held the appointment until his death. In 1872 he also became clerk to School Board, and on the death
of Read Crisp appointed  Secretary and Manager of the Waterworks Company. He was well known

for his sterling  honesty of purpose,  and to his intimate  friends for  his strong  common sense, which
was observable in all he said and wrote. He was 63.

1893
1893
1893

East Suff Gaz 5 Sept 

BUILDERS: Tenders for schoolroom for Primitive Methodist Church, SMALLGATE.
THE BELLS OF BARSHAM: Gift of new bells.
GLADSTONE’S HOME RULE Bill defeated in the Lords by 419 votes to 41

East Suff Gaz 5 Sept 
East Suff Gaz 12 Sept 
1893
East Suff Gaz 12 Sept 

Major-General Mansfield Clarke, eldest son of Rev Sir Charles Clarke of Worlingham Hall will leave
for India to take over control of the Madras army.
COUNCIL: Tom Angell appointed Town Clerk in place of his father.

1893
1893

East Suff Gaz 12 Sep 
East Suff Gaz 19 Sept 

SALE of FURNITURE: Victoria Arms, INGATE of Mr William Warren, who retires from business.
WEATHER: In consequence of the long drought there is a great scarcity of water in the villages.
WATERWORKS: Mr J Preston Larkman, solicitor, appointed Secretary & Manager.

1893
1893

East Suff Gaz 19 Sept 
East Suff Gaz 19 Sept 
1893
East Suff Gaz 19 Sept 

ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY of Norfolk visited Beccles. Mr Danby Palmer of Yarmouth read a
paper on Beccles Church. Roos Hall was subsequently visited.
SALE of FURNITURE: Mrs Smithers, London Road.

1893
1893

East Suff Gaz 26 Sept 
East Suff Gaz 26 Sept 

TO LET in BLYBURGATE, a 30 quarter MALTING with Kiln, 3 floors, Barley Chamber & Malt
Store Rooms, with well of excellent Spring Water. TA Woodroffe, builder.
LORD SANGER’S CIRCUS gave two performances to crowds of people.. In the evening there were

1893
East Suff Gaz 3 Oct 

4000 or 5000 attending.
SALE  by  HE  Briggs  Two  Newly  erected  HOUSES  in  DENMARK  ROAD  occupied  by  Messrs
Goddard & Barker

1893
East Suff Gaz 3 Oct 
1893
East Suff Gaz 3 Oct 

COUNCIL: Plans passed: 1) a new Sunday School for the Primitive Methodist Church [in Smallgate]
2) House in Queen’s Road by Mr C Spurling  3) Alterations to a house in Northgate by Mr Harmer.

1893
East Suff Gaz 3 Oct 

LICENCES:  1)  White Horse to  William Beckett 2) Britannia  Shades to Alfred Day; 3)  Waveney
Wine  Stores  to  George  Smith,  late  of  Carlton.  4)  The  Duke  to  William  Walpole  Moore  5)  The

Victoria Arms to Ernest Warren..
MARRIAGE  of  FWD  Robinson  of  ROOS  HALL  to  Annie  Mary,  eldest  daughter  of  late  TL

1893
East Suff Gaz 24 Oct 

Gelibrand of Tasmania.. He gave dinner to his 40 employees at the Falcon.
DEATH OF BANDMASTER  WRIGHT, aged 78. He joined the  2nd  Life Guards  7 subsequently
appointed Bandmaster of HM training ship Mars. He was present at the bombardment of Solferino.

1893
East Suff Gaz 24 Oct 

For  13  years  he  served  the  Bridport  Artillery  Volunteers,  and  on  his  removal  to  Beccles  he  was
appointed Bandmaster to the old 14th Suffolk, now G & H Companies Norfolk Volunteers, and held
the position for 10 years.

1893
East Suff Gaz 31 Oct 
SALE:  VULCAN IRON WORKS: Peddar’s  Lane (which is  going out  of business). The  Freehold
Beccles Newspapers from 1891 
David Lindley, Jan 2003 
33

Land and the Buildings and the entire contents. [list of machinery etc]
[purchased by Mr Gooch of Halesworth for £500]

 
1893

 
East Suff Gaz 31 Oct 

BURIAL of young school teacher at the Board School. Miss Florence Calver., aged 14
RESIGNATION of Captain John Read of the 2nd Volunteer Battalion Norfolk Regiment, one of the

1893
East Suff Gaz 31 Oct 

pioneers of the Volunteer movement in this district. He joined as a Private in 1860, and after 18 years
in the ranks in what was then the 14th Suffolk Rifle Volunteer Corps, and was promoted Captain in

April 1885.. He  had  a total of 33 years service,  and has been  given the honorary rank of Major on
retirement. Lieut W Read, will now be a Captain and succeed to the command of the Company. He
became Lieutenant in 1885

 
1893

 
East Suff Gaz 31 Oct 

RETIRING COUNCILLORS renominated: William Spaull, Alfred Woods, Francis Banham, Edward
Watson.  (Banham  was  proposed  by  Arthur  G  Jarman;  seconded  by  AW  Cattermole:  Assessors;
Alexander McQueen, Wm Flower, GJ Bond, Arthur R Scott, WG Cross, Walter Plumbly, D Soanes,

Harry Youngs)
SCHOOL  ATTENDANCE:  Stephen  Oxborough,  aged  9,  out  of  control,  would  not  go  to  school.
Father, Charles E Oxborough. Boy very naughty.

1893
East Suff Gaz 31 Oct 

1893
1893

East Suff Gaz 7 Nov 

Mr EDWARD WATSON nominated to be Mayor. e joined the Council in 1887.
DEATH  of  Miss  WOOLNER  aged  94.  of  Blyburgate.  She  was  the  last  representative  of  an  old
Beccles family. Her remains were interred in the family vault in the Cemetery

East Suff Gaz 7 Nov 
1893
East Suff Gaz 14 Nov 

ORDINATION of Mr TH Alexander, formerly teacher at the Board Schools, Congregational minister
at Rugeley.
COAL STRIKE lasting 15 weeks ended. Lord Rosebery, Foreign Secretary, the mediator.

1893
 

East Suff Gaz 21 Nov 
 

Growth in militancy of strikes. 30 million days lost through strikes in the year.
POOR RATE: 2s 2d in the pound agreed.
BOARD  SCHOOL  Criticism  of  too  much  corporal  punishment.  They  intend  issuing  a  minute

1893
1893

East Suff Gaz 21 Nov 
East Suff Gaz 21 Nov 

regulating corporal punishment.
ELECTION of Councillor  on account of Mr T Pert leaving the area. Mr TA Woodroffe, 297; Mr H

1893
East Suff Gaz 28 Nov 

Copeman, 189; Mr AR Clatworthy, 33.
DEATH of John McCance aged 34. He married the daughter of Mr Wm Garrod.

1893
1893
1893

East Suff Gaz 28 Nov 
East Suff Gaz 5 Dec 

SALE of FURNITURE of late Miss Margaret Woolner, Blyburgate.
Rev  JONATHAN  CALVERT,  formerly  Pastor  of  Beccles  Congregational  Church  moving  from

East Suff Gaz 5 Dec 

Fulham to Nottingham.
ARTILLERY BAND will play over the next  few days  a selection of Christmas  anthems  at various
points in the Town

1893
East Suff Gaz 19 Dec 

1893
 
1893

East Suff Gaz 19 Dec 

TUESDAY’S HURRICANE: most violent for many years. Between 70 & 80ft of Mr Banham’s wall
Collapsed in Grange Road. [it could only have been built a few years previously]
PRESENTATION at the Caxton Arms, to MF BUCK ,of a marble clock, by members of the Caxton

 
East Suff Gaz 19 Dec 

Athletic Club “as a slight recognition of his valued and faithful service as honorary secretary since its
formation - December 15, 1893.” He had been connected to the Club for 27 years.
PREPARATIONS  for  CHRISTMAS:  Messrs  S  Le  Grice  &  Walker  [2  The  Walk]  make  a  grand

1893
East Suff Gaz 19 Dec 

window display. In the grocery windows  are some prime Stiltons and Gogonzolas, effectively set out
with Harris’s Wiltshire bacon, hams, and a variety of Crosse & Blackwell’s preparations. The other
window  contains  ingredients  requisite  for  a  Christmas  pudding,  together  with  crystallised  fruits,

confectionery, iced cakes, English and foreign wines. These latter by the way, include a choice brand
of burgundy which has been highly recommended for almost all ills flesh is heir to.
The drapery windows include fancy articles, Japanese goods, silk handkerchiefs, fur topped gloves

 
 

 
 

( a speciality), Christmas Cards  and  books  by standard  authors. In the  other window   are  evening
dressses, goods, fans, and dress material.
Mr A McQueen    shows  hats  and  winter  clothing,  silk  handkerchiefs  and  wrappers,  together  with

 
 

Dent’s winter gloves, lined and unlined. there is an extensive stock of gentlemen’s underclothing and
racks of suiting..

 
 

Mr Harmer’s shop window is filled with novelties in Christmas booklets, calendars and cards, while
the showroom  contains a  large  supply of pretty and useful  articles which  Santa Claus would  know

well what to do with.
Messrs  Norman  and  Beard,  music  sellers  are  making  a  special  feature  of  musical  instruments.

 
 

Accordions, toy drums, toy violins,  auto harps, musical boxes  and  concertinas satisfy  almost every
taste in the music line.
SENTENCE: Two  gamebeaters  sentenced to three weeks  hard labour for taking  a pheasant where

1893
East Suff Gaz 26 Dec 

they were employed as beaters by Mr Hayley of Worlingham Hall.
CHORAL   SOCIETY:   Elijah   by  Mendelsohn   on  18  December.  The   conductor  was  Mr  WH
Williamson; A soloist Miss Tilney; one of a quartet, Rev JH Raven.

1893
East Suff Gaz 26 Dec 
Beccles Newspapers from 1891 
David Lindley, Jan 2003 
34
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Beccles Newspapers from 1891 
David Lindley, Jan 2003 
35
BECCLES NEWSPAPERS 1894
1894

REVIEW of 1893 Unparalleled depression in industry. Also the finest season ever known In France a
bomb was thrown from  a  gallery  of the  Legislative Assembly; there have been frequent  change  of

East Suff Gaz 2 Jan 

Ministries.  In  Spain the Anarchists have  given mush trouble. Italy troubled by financial difficulties
and been engaged with war with the Moors.. Greece unable to meet her national obligations. Belgium

had  labour  and socialist troubles. USA had silver  controversy and struggle over tariff reforms  and
held the “World Fair” in Chicago..
Britain: Naval matters:  the stranding of the Howe & the loss of the battleship Victoria. A new ship

 
 

“The Revenge” added. Politics: Mr Gladstone’s Home Rule bill passed the Commons, but rejected by
the  Lords. The Budget  increased Income Tax 1d.  Serious strikes in the  north of  England: shipping
strike  at  Hull,  and  the  coal  strike  throughout  the  country.  The  Lords  amended  the  Employers’

Liability Bill.
The  Manchester  Ship  Canal  was  completed.,  the  Imperial  Institute  was  opened  by  the  Queen  .
Colossal frauds by JS Balfour, Hobbs, Wright etc, failure of Barker’s Bank

 
 
 
 

Festivities of Royal Marriage on 6th July: feast  for the children of the town and gave a dinner  to the
old.. A Mission Room in Ravensmere has been built, Mr Webster is the new Curate, and tie rods have
been added to the roof of St Michael’s costing £125. Bishop Pelham resigned and was succeeded by

Bishop Sheepshanks. Church choir much increased in efficiency by Mr Williamson. School Board re-
elected without a contest. Mr Palmer & Miss Chasteney given increase in pay, and Miss Brett left to

get  married. Miss  Walker  of Blackburn replaced  her. National  Schools  received  a  good report.  Sir
John Leman School, threatened with closure, has been granted a reprieve.

 
 

The Death of George B Angell in August, somewhat suddenly. He had been Town Clerk for 36 years
and the Corporation  were largely indebted to his inspiration and counsel in carrying out many of the

improvements  during  the  last  25  years.  Sanitary  efficiency  was  advocated  by  him.  His  son  Tom
Angell had been elected Deputy Town Clerk a few weeks before his death and succeeded his father in
the post.
The Congregational Church had to pass through the furnace of calumny, very unexpectedly,  in the

 
 

early part of the year, when a grave criminal charge was preferred against its pastor. Bravely facing
the  slanders,  the  scrutiny  of  a  court  was  undergone,  and  in  the  result  the  case  was  dismissed.
Throughout the whole painful  business, the major potion  of the church and congregation remained

faithful to their minister, and feeling confident of his rectitude and blamelessness they supported and
encouraged  him  in  every  way  possible  during  his  time  of  severest  trial.  The  trouble  brought
sympathy,  too,    from  outside  the  church  membership,  ministers  of  the  town  and  neighbourhood

especially showing an unwavering loyalty towards him. The strain upon the Rev WH Muncaster was
such  as  to  shatter  his  health  completely  for  a  time,  and  he  was  compelled  to  make  a  lengthened
sojourn  on  the  Continent  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Rome.  He  resumed  preaching  on  his  return  in

April, but had caught a chill and was confined to bed for many weeks, his life being almost despaired
of.. He returned to his pastoral work in mid June.
The  Waterworks  had failed to produce proper quality water  and  expert  advice was sought,  a  new

 
 

Secretary appointed, Mr JL  Larkman,  and  improvements and  a  new reservoir  built. 892 houses are
now supplied with water, an addition of 51.
The expenses of work necessary and the cost of coal, as a result of the strike, reduced the dividend to

 
 

3 & 1/2% instead of 4% previously. The Gas Company again paid 9% and reduced the cost of gas.
Major Wilson promoted to Lieut-Col in May. The Carriage Works has cut the men to three quarters

 
 

time & the Vulcan Ironworks has temporarily  closed,  but having  changed  hands will  reopen  in the
New Year.

1894

DEATH of MAN on [Grove] Road  crossing. Edward Feek, aged 79, was very deaf and did not see or
hear train. Accidental Death verdict of jury at inquest.

East Suff Gaz 2 Jan 
1894

A CIRCUS visiting a Yorkshire town advertised a dog playing the piano. When the time came, the
dog  appeared  on  the  piano  stool.  All  went  well  until  a  member  of  the  audience  shouted  “Rats”,
whereupon the dog jumped off the stool to find the rat, but the piano kept playing!

East Suff Gaz 2 Jan 
1894

RAILWAY  BRIDGE  at  Beccles  Station  cannot  be  improved  at  present.  The  Company  has  lost
£16,000 as a result of the coal strike, and the cost of coal has increased.
PLANS passed for stable and cart-shed For Mr Wilkinson in Blyburgate.

East Suff Gaz 9 Jan 

1894
1894

East Suff Gaz 9 Jan 

SUICIDE of the under-butler at WORLINGHAM HALL, George Lisset, aged 32. He was a married
man, but separated from his wife and children. Frederick Willett, the butler in the employment of Mr
J Newton Hayley, gave evidence. He had cut his throat.

East Suff Gaz 9 Jan 
1894

POLICE   COURT:   Robert   Wilkinson,   grocer,   Blyburgate,   charged   with   unlawfully   exposing
margarine for sale without a proper label. He pleaded guilty. This was the first case in the borough
under the new Act. He was fined £1.

East Suff Gaz 9 Jan 
Beccles Newspapers from 1891 
David Lindley, Jan 2003 
36
1894

DEATH of Mr Samuel Knights, a member of the “Foresters” for 30 years. He had been in business in
Northgate  for  35  years  in  succession  to  his  father,  who  traded  on  the  same  premises  for  a  great

East Suff Gaz 23 Jan 

number of years. He was 68.
DEATH of Charles Hadingham, aged 69, merchant and miller, He had a severe illness a year age, but

1894
East Suff Gaz 23 Jan 

took an active part in his business to within 2 days of his death.
DEATH of Mr & Mrs Wright. Mr Wright, boatbuilder aged 85, had been in business in the town for

1894
East Suff Gaz 23 Jan 

more than 60 years, at one time he employed several hands in his boatyard in Northgate. Mrs Wright,
aged 83, died two days after her husband. They had been married for 55 years.
SALE : Miss Margaret Woolner’s Estate in Hungate & Ballygate: Lot 1:

1894
 

East Suff Gaz 30 Jan 

 
 
 

[Margaret Woolner was born in 1800 & the property was sold in 1894 after her death]
Two pleasantly situated & substantially built white brick, slated & tiled residences. Frontage of 49ft.
One house in the occupation of Rev LH Collis at £25 pa; Entrance Hall, Dining Room with stove &

 
 

glazed  book  shelves  &  cupboards,  Drawing  Room,  Front  Kitchen  with  cooking  stove,  Pantry  &
storeroom,  Back  Kitchen  with  iron  oven,  cooking  stove,  copper  &  sink,  sunk  cellar,  landing,  5
Bedrooms, walled-in Garden & W.C.

 
 
1894

 
 

The other: occupied by Mr BG King rent £16 pa, Entrance Hall, Parlour, 4 Bedrooms, Garden, WC.
[purchased Mr H Hopson £665]
SALE; Miss Margaret Woolner’s Estate in Hungate & Blyburgate: Lot 2

East Suff Gaz 30 Jan 

 
 

 
 

HUNGATE: Two well-built brick & tiled residences, Frontage 34ft.
One  House  in  the  occupation  of  James  Piper;  Rent  £12;  Parlour  &  stove,  small  Sitting  Room,
Keeping Room with  cooking  range, Pantry,  3 Bedrooms, sunk  cellar, detached wash  house, small

garden & W.C. The other: in the occupation of Miss Barber Rent £11.
[purchased Mr Croft £345]
SALE:  LOT 3 Miss Margaret Woolner’s .

 
1894

 
East Suff Gaz 30 Jan 
 
 

HUNGATE: Two Brick & Tiled Cottages, situate in the Yard with entrance to Hungate, near Lots 2
and  4,  adjoining Messrs Horsley &  Sons, Carriage  Works,  in the  occupation  of Mrs  Saunders  and

Mrs Ruth, at Rents amounting to £8 pa
[purchased Mr Hopson £137 10s]

 
1894
 

 
 

SALE: Miss Margaret Woolner’s Estate. Lot 4:
[No 28 & 30]  A very valuable Block of Property in BLYBURGATE, abutting on the properties of

East Suff Gaz 30 Jan
 

Mrs Cleveland, Mrs Crawley, Mr WH Edwards and Mr SF Field.  comprising;
Well situated  and substantially  built RESIDENCE fronting Blyburgate, with  Stable, Coach House,
and walled-in Garden, lately in the occupation of the proprietor.

 
 
 
 

The DWELLING HOUSE and SHOP with frontage to Blyburgate with piece of Garden ground in the
rear in the occupation of Mr SF Tillett, fishmonger.
The DWELLING HOUSE  and  SHOP adjoining with frontage to Blyburgate, with  recently erected

 
 

and well fitted Bake Office and piece of Garden Ground in the rear in the occupation of Mr William
Dawson, baker and Confectioner.
TWO  COTTAGES  with  Drying    Ground  adjoining  the  late  Miss  Woolner’s  residence  in  the

 
 

occupation of Mr W Parnell and Mrs Reynolds; also Brick, Boarded and Tiled Stable with loft over
and Yard adjoining. Estimated Rental £17 pa.
[purchased Mr Hopson £800]

 
1894

 
East Suff Gaz 30 Jan 

SALE: LOT 5 Miss Woolner’s Sale
Pasture  Land fronting  LONDON ROAD, abutting  LOT 6, the GER’s Main  Line & the property of
the Beccles Feoffees, containing 5a 0r 12p

 
 

 
1894
 

 

[purchased Dr Wright £290]
SALE: LOT 6: Miss Woolner’s Sale
Pasture  Land  adjoining  LOT  5,  fronting  LONDON  ROAD,  abutting  the  GER’s  Main  Line,  and

East Suff Gaz 30 Jan 
 

Property of the Rector of Eccles, containing 1a 2r 16p
[purchased Dr WA Wright £200]

 
1894

 
East Suff Gaz 30 Jan 

SALE: LOT 7: Miss WOOLNER’s Sale of Pasture Land & Arable and a small grass Paddock with
entrance from LONDON ROAD, nearly opposite Lot 6, abutting on JE Crisp, Esq, John Maplestone,

Esq, Mrs B Woolnough, Mr James Spurgeon & Mr TH Pearce, 13a 2r 31p
[purchased Mr JE Crisp £480]

 
1894

 
East Suff Gaz 30 Jan 

SALE: LOT 8 Enclosure of mixed soil, having a frontage on RINGSFIELD ROAD, abutting on JE
Crisp, Esq, John Maplestone, Esq, 8a 0r 9p
[purchased Mr John Seago £225]

 
1894

 
East Suff Gaz 30 Jan 

SALE:  LOT  9:  Miss  Woolner’s  Sale:  Mixed  soil  Arable  Land  abutting  upon  the  GREEN  LANE
leading to Ellough, and lands of Rev Sir Charles Clarke, 2a 2r 26p
[purchased Mr NW Pells £55]

 
1894

 
East Suff Gaz 30 Jan 
PAGE MISSING
Beccles Newspapers from 1891 
David Lindley, Jan 2003 
37

1894
1894

PAGE MISSING
SALE: [PLEASANT PLACE] Eight DWELLINGS with Gardens known  as Gladstone Terrace; four

East Suff Gaz 6 Feb 
East Suff Gaz 6 Feb 

fronting St GEORGE’S ROAD and four in the rear fronting towards London Road in the occupations
of Benjamin Pearson, William Spratt, John Scolding, Robert Spaull, Benjamin Meadows and William

Wigg & 2 at present unoccupied. Rental £67 12s pa.
[no offer]

 
1894

 

SALE: FAIR CLOSE by William Church: 3 DWELLING HOUSES and SHOP at the corner of Fair
Close Road, near the Hospital, abutting on the properties of Mr A Gordon & Mr R Cowles:
DWELLING HOUSE & SHOP & Bake House in occupation of Mr HE Briggs

East Suff Gaz 6 Feb 

 
 

 
 

DWELLING HOUSE adjoining in the occupation of Mr Alfred Darby
DWELLING HOUSE also adjoining in the occupation of the Proprietor, Mr Church.
[withdrawn at £445]

 
 

 
 

1894

SALE: by Mr SF Field: BUILDING LAND in LONDON ROAD, having a frontage of 42ft , depth of
148ft, abutting on the properties of HW Cutting [The Limes, No 5 London Road] , EW Hindes [Nos
9 & 11 London Road] & Charles Hale [Alexandra Road]. The Land is well planted with choice Fruit

East Suff Gaz 13 Feb 

Trees  and  has  also  an  entrance from Alexandra Road. [Purchased Mr Block  £115  now No  7 The
Gables, London Road]
SALE: FAIR CLOSE: Kitchen Garden abutting Miss EG King, Mrs R Shellcross & property of the

1894
East Suff Gaz 13 Feb 

Baptist Church. The Garden is walled on three sides, is very productive, and is planted with standard
and  wall  Fruit  Trees,  there  is  also  a  Greenhouse  52ft  long,  Tool  House  with  cistern  and  pump..
Frontage of about 143 to Fair Close. Good Building Site. 34 perches

 
1894

 

[behind crinkle-crankle wall on west side of Fair Close; withdrawn £195]
THE  VICAR  of  St  James’s,  Bury  St  Edmund’s  complains  of  the  niggardly  way  in  which  the
congregation contribute to the offertory.

East Suff Gaz 13 Feb 
1894

DEATH of HORSE: Mr Irah Read, cowkeeper, was returning home from the “Long Meadows” and
the wheel of his cart sank in a deep rut, jerking the horse round, and causing it to fall into the dyke,

East Suff Gaz 13 Feb 

where it was drowned. It was recently bought for twenty guineas. This is the second horse he has lost
by accident.

1894

NEW   CO-OP   in   SMALLGATE,   MF   Buck,   President.   Mr   FT   Peachey   has   resigned   from
Treasurership. Plans for  new and larger shop  buildings, which  it  is proposed to  erect  in  Smallgate

East Suff Gaz 13 Feb 

were displayed.
COUNCIL:  RAVENSMERE:  North  House:  Mr  Le  Grice’s  Slaughter  House  on  the  premises  be
registered.

1894
East Suff Gaz 13 Feb 
1894

BLYBURGATE  CEMETERY:  desecrated.  ”To  those  who  may  have  the  remains  of  friends  or
relatives  lying  there,  it  must  be  painful  indeed  to  see  the  place  overrun  and  made  almost  a
playground, as it is, especially on Saturday afternoons, when football is played on an adjoining field.

East Suff Gaz 20 Feb 

The abuse of the old Burial Ground is scandalous.
WHITE LION BOWLING GREEN: Mr Bloom leaving. A new Bowling Green in the Town adjoins
the river and is connected to the Waveney Wine Stores [in Northgate] White Lion Cub dissolved..

1894
East Suff Gaz 20 Feb 
1894

BURGLARY  at  [14]  BLYBURGATE  at  Mr  TH  Pearce’s  Store.  Broken  into  at  night.  Building
ransacked.. Entry from a ladder in the Yard. Bottles opened and drunk from. Took 5 dozen bottles of
Whiskey, tins of food etc

East Suff Gaz 20 Feb 
1894

BECCLES WATERWORKS: Tenders wanted  for: Tank  for the  reception of  a  new Gas Holder;  a
new Retort House; Building for the reception of a new governor.
DEED of ASSIGNMENT; Joseph Ebbs of Gillingham

East Suff Gaz 6 Mar 

1894
1894

East Suff Gaz 6 Mar 

RESIGNATION of Mr GLADSTONE; Lord Rosebery the new Prime Minister.
NEW BATHING PLACE proposed:  A plan drawn up by Councillor Banham. The old Bathing Place
to be taken down and a new building put up. As many of the old materials as possible should be used

East Suff Gaz 6 Mar 
1894
East Suff Gaz 13 Mar 

and that the swimming bath be enlarged by moving the present quay heading, on the house side six
feet back.. It would cost £350 for the building and £70 for the new quay heading.

 
 

Alderman Masters enquired if  the Committee that had studied the proposal were unanimous in their
agreement  to  the  scheme.  The  Mayor  said  they  were..  Alderman  Masters  then  proposed  the

recommendations in their entirety. He said the Committee  had taken a  great deal  of trouble, and in
such cases he was always disposed to accept their recommendations.

1894
1894

TO BE LET: 2 Myrtle Villas, ALEXANDRA ROAD, Apply WG Sayer, No 1.
MEETINGS  MENTIONED:  1.)  The  Henham  Harriers  2.)  Congregational  YMCA    3.)  Primitive
Methodist Sunday School prize distribution. 4.) The Bible Society 5.) Caxton Amateur Athletic Club

East Suff Gaz 13 Mar 
East Suff Gaz 13 Mar 

AGM 6.) Church of England Society for Providing Homes for Waifs and Strays. 7.) The Educational
Committee of the Beccles Working Man’s Co-operative Association.
TOWN COUNCIL Plan for  addition to  a House  in RAVENSMERE for Mr Huson,  and  also  for  a

1894
East Suff Gaz 13 Mar 
stable & cowshed.  ALSO a plan of a new retort for the Gas Company. All duplicate plans in future to
Beccles Newspapers from 1891 
David Lindley, Jan 2003 
38

be in pen and ink.
DEATH: Rose Ann Clatworthy, wife of AR Clatworthy, aged 44

1894
1894

East Suff Gaz 13 Mar 

TO BE LET: Montagu House, NORTHGATE, with or without large Garden in front, abutting on the
River Waveney.

East Suff Gaz 20 Mar 
 
 

ALSO small  genteel RESIDENCE  adjacent,  contains  Entrance Hall, Three Reception Rooms  good
Kitchens, three Bedrooms, Three Attics & small garden. Apply Mr Garrod, the Grove.

1894

TOWN COUNCIL:  Bathing  Place:  Mr  Crisp  was  asked  to  sell  a  neighbouring  piece  of  land.  He
offered the whole of the ozier ground up to the filled-in ditch (half an acre)  for £110.  The Council
agreed to purchase the land and build a new bathing place, selling the timber taken down.

East Suff Gaz 20 Mar 

1894
1894

SALE of FURNITURE: Mr WH Williamson is leaving England. No
BOWLS CLUB to be formed at the new Green at Waveney Hotel in Northgate. Mr TA Woodroffe
elected President, Mr Steer Secretary.

East Suff Gaz 27 Mar 
East Suff Gaz 27 Mar 
1894

WHITE LION BOWLS CLUB resuscitated, Mr FJ Allen, President. About 50 members gave in their
names.
GOLDEN EAGLE in Worlingham Park. So far it has eluded capture.

East Suff Gaz 27 Mar 

1894
1894

East Suff Gaz 27 Mar 

VESTRY MEETING: Crowfoot & Parker Churchwardens again. In Beccles the  offertory remained
very satisfactory £5 6s 2d average per week.
Regretted resignation of the organist, Mr Williamson, who was leaving shortly for a post in America.

East Suff Gaz 27 Mar 
 
 

He  had  been  with  them  for  seven  years,  and  all  who  worshipped  in  this  church  could  judge  for
themselves to what a high state of efficiency he had raised the parish church choir.
RECTOR gone on his annual Holiday. He will spend a month in Hastings.

1894
1894

East Suff Gaz 27 Mar 

BATHING PLACE: Tenders varied from £489 to Mr GA Dunn’s of £395, which was accepted.
AURORA BOREALIS seen again (several sightings recently)
BATHING PLACE: Mr Dunn has started work on the Bathing Place. To be completed early June.

East Suff Gaz 4 Apr 

1894
1894

East Suff Gaz 4 Apr 
East Suff Gaz 10 Apr 
1894

COUNCIL: Direction boards placed on the lamp at the junction of St Mary’s Road and Bungay Road.
Street names being repainted.

East Suff Gaz 10 Apr 

 
 

 
 

Plans for new buildings by Mr WB England in Newgate.
Town Clock to be lighted all the year round at sundown. Mr Steer asked if he would repair, wind and

light the clock for £17 pa.
ORGANIST  of  PARISH  CHURCH;  Mr  W  Warder  Harvey,  Fellow  of  the  Royal  College   of

1894
East Suff Gaz 17 Apr 

Organists, for the past five years organist of Ryde Parish Church appointed.
EASTER OFFERING: Rector given £136 10s 6d as offerings on Easter Day.
MEETINGS:  Board  of  Guardians;  Waveney  Angling  Club;  District  Shooting  Club  (just  formed);

1894
1894

East Suff Gaz 17 Apr 
East Suff Gaz 17 Apr 

Congregational  Sunday  School  Anniversary;  Chrysanthemum  &  Floriculture  Society;  Afternoon
Concert  by  the  Fauconberge  School,  on  behalf  of  Waifs  &  Strays;  Church  Parade  of  Artillery
Volunteers; The School Board;

1894

CHORAL SOCIETY CONCERT in the Town Hall. They have lost a  devoted  instructor  whom all
respected and esteemed. The singing was very good. Works by Gounod, Bach, Mendelssohn etc. He
was given a cheque for £40 in recognition of his work.

East Suff Gaz 17 Apr 
1894

MINISTER  IN  ROW:  Edward  Buckenham,  son  of  cow  keeper  and  farmer  in  London  Road,  was
driving  a  bull  up  Hungate  to  his  father’s  premises,  when  opposite  Mr  Jordan’s  premises,  Mr
Muncater’s  little  boy  startled  the  animal,  so  that  it  turned  into  Mr  Jordan’s  passage.  Buckenham

East Suff Gaz 17 Apr 

struck the boy with a stick he was carrying. Mr Muncaster was angry and went to Buckenham’s and
struck  Buckenham  with  a  whip  or  stick.  The  irate  minister  was  ordered  off  the  premises.  [Mr
Muncaster subsequently apologised to Mr Buckenham]

1894

LECTURE  in  Wesleyan  Schoolroom on “The manners and  customs  of  Puritan New  England”, Mr
Masters presided.
COUNCIL:  Rights  to  Tenants  of  compensation.  Opinion  had  been  sought  from  the  Town  Clerk

East Suff Gaz 24 Apr 
1894
East Suff Gaz 24 Apr 

asking if compensation was available for tenants who built sheds on their marshes belonging to the
Corporation, when they  ended their tenancy. The  general  answer was  Yes. Two tenants who were

claiming  compensation  now  were  not  entitled  to  compensation  because  they  had  not  asked  for
permission first. Alderman Masters wished to explain this in notices to tenants. However  the Minutes

had  already  been  published  and  an  amendment  was  carried  saying  this  was  not  necessary.  The
amendment was carried.

1894

OPENING OF PRIMITIVE METHODIST SCHOOLROOM. The Mayor (Mr EGR Watson) presided
and mentioned the small building in Peddar’s Lane that he remembered when he came to Beccles 30
years ago.. In Beccles the church had  90 scholars and 14 teachers. The total cost of the Schoolroom

East Suff Gaz 24 Apr 

would be £300, and they already had £200. 140 people were entertained to tea.
ANARCHIST Henri convicted in France of two bomb outrages and sentenced to death. He told the
Court that Anarchy would  end by  killing them; it  had been  born in the bosom  of  a rotten society

1894
East Suff Gaz 1 May 
which is falling asunder.
Beccles Newspapers from 1891 
David Lindley, Jan 2003 
39
1894

NEW STATIONMASTER: Mr J Butters, stationmaster Thetford promoted to Beccles. He takes over
from Mr JL Wilkinson, after a service of over 30 years.

East Suff Gaz 1 May 

1894
1894

RESORT for VISITORS  Beccles now in a better position than ever having added a new hotel
INK FACTORY: The factory is owned by Messrs Mason and Mason, a well known London firm of

East Suff Gaz 1 May 
East Suff Gaz 1 May 

ink makers and is situated at the foot of the hill near Barsham Bridge. The factory has been closed for
some time, but on the premises are stored in large tanks a quantity of linseed oil. The caretaker was

John Rising Meen, who formerly  occupied  a farm  in Barsham  and  is  very  respectably  connected.
Meen has fallen into poor circumstances and for some time has been caretaker of the ink factory. He
lived there rent free with his wife and family.

 
 

Inspector Lingley placed two men watching the factory and saw a man leading an empty cart arrive at
the factory at 6am.  After three quarters of an hour two men emerged with something covered on the
back of the cart. The police  intercepted them.  Lockwood, the  carter ran away, but was caught near

Ashman’s  Hall.  Meen  was  questioned  and  a  tank  of  linseed  oil  was  found  on  the  cart.  He  was
arrested.
FUNERAL of Retired Bishop Pelham.

1894
1894

East Suff Gaz 8 May 

INK FACTORY: Messrs Mason  and Mason  Ltd,  ink manufacturers  of  London took  over the Ink
Factory about June 1892. Meen went to live on the premises at Michaelmas 1892. At the time 7 tons
18cwt of Linseed Oil was at the factory, two tons were missing, valued at £50. Meen sentenced to 21

East Suff Gaz 15 May 

days hard labour and Lockwood to 14.
COUNCIL: Plans passed of 3 new houses in Alexandra Road for Mr RJ Read.
HEALTH of BECCLES and BUNGAY full statistical report.

1894
 1894

East Suff Gaz 15 May 
East Suff Gaz 15 May 
1894

ACCIDENT to a HORSE; Mr Farman, baker, Ingate has met with a severe loss  through the death of
a  horse worth  over  £20. He was  going  his rounds some days  ago when in  London Road  near Mr
Pearce’s, the horse stamped on a rusty nail in the road. It stuck in the horse’s hoof and died in terrible

East Suff Gaz 29 May 

agony of lockjaw.
GILD of CORPUS CHRISTI: The first Continental  expedition  of the Gild since  its revival went to

1894
East Suff Gaz 29 May 

Antwerp.  About  a  dozen  members  left  from  Beccles.,  headed  by  Major  Worsley  Worswick  [of
Ashman’s Hall], Dom HE Ford OSB (priest)  and Mr John Kenyon  of Gillingham Hall. On  Sunday

they  took  part  in  the  solemn  procession  in  honour  of  the  Blessed  Sacrament.  This  is  a  yearly
procession of great splendour on the Sunday after Corpus Christi.

1894

Mr  HS  Foster,  MP  for  North  Suffolk,  brought  a    libel  action  against  the  Westminster  Gazette,
concerned with his business dealings with companies. He lost.
SALE: by Mr J Harling Barrett: Block of Property. Frontage of 104ft to RAVENSMERE and 41ft to

East Suff Gaz 29 May 
1894
East Suff Gaz 5 Jun 

FEN LANE: comprising a Brick & Tiled DWELLING HOUSE in the occupation of Mr WJ Huson,
under notice to quit. Rent £15 pa
ALSO Brick & Tiled DWELLING HOUSE adjoining, in the occupation of the Proprietor.

 
1894

 

SALE  of FURNITURE:  of late Miss Beckham in the WALK. Miss Beckham’s father, Mr Barnard
Beckham,  was  personal  attendant  to  HRH  the  late  Duke  of  Gloucester,  and  afterwards  a  valued
servant of Her Majesty the Queen, and HRH the Prince Consort. A large proportion of the Paintings,

East Suff Gaz 5 Jun 

Engravings,  China,  Curios  and  Plate  were  the  gifts  to  him  from  various  members  of  the  Royal
Family. By kind permission  of Messrs Garrod the  Sale will  be held  in their spacious Bark Barn  in
Northgate.

1894

BECCLES GAS COMPANY. JP  Waltton, Chairman; Rev J Rowsell, JE Crisp, Mr Bullimore,  W
Delf, CF Parker, W Read, H Hopson, RW Snell & Mrs Anderson. Paying 9% on old shares, 8% on
new ones. New gasholder, station meter & retort house, and improving gas mains.

East Suff Gaz 5 Jun 
1894

FUNERAL of Rev Maurice Shelton  Suckling, 44 years Rector of Shipmeadow. He was the son of
Alfred Inigo Suckling, formerly Rector of Barsham. He was 74.
FUNERAL of VOLUNTEER: Gunner James Carr, aged 19; died of consumption.

East Suff Gaz 5 Jun 

1894
1894

East Suff Gaz 12 Jun 

INSPECTION of  POLICE  by HM Inspector  of Constabulary: Assembled  officers  of Police  of the
Divisions  of  Beccles  (Supt  Shipp,  with  Inspector  Lingley  &  12  Constables),  Haleswoth  (Supt

East Suff Gaz 12 Jun 

Andrews with 3 Inspectors , 2 Sergeants & 20 Constables), Loddon (Supt Egling & 14 Constables)
Major Heigham, the Chief Constable was present.

1894

CAUTION to BOYS: Police Court: Bertie Pullen, son of Edward Pullen, gatekeeper for the Railway,
getting over the wall & breaking the fruit bushes of William Larter of Ravensmere while trying to get

East Suff Gaz 12 Jun 

the fruit. Cautioned.
CHORAL FESTIVAL at NORWICH. Beccles Choir took part in the triennial festival of the Norfolk
& Suffolk Church Choral Association at Norwich Cathedral. The choristers numbered about 1,500

1894
East Suff Gaz 12 Jun 
1894

COUNCIL 1.)  Letter from Mr Clifford Smith asking for leave to put a duplicate water pipe across
Bridge  Street from the  old Brewery Maltings to those  of Messrs Crisp  opposite.  Write to County
Council   

East Suff Gaz 12 Jun 
 
 
2.)  RAVENSMERE: “North House” tenancy not to be renewed. [used as an Isolation Hospital]   
Beccles Newspapers from 1891 
David Lindley, Jan 2003 
40

 
 

 
 

3.) Committee set up to consider site for an infectious Hospital.
4.) Plans passed for two Houses in DENMARK ROAD for Mr Brewster.

 
 

 
 

5.) Plans for a new Granary & Engine House for Mr Robins in GOSFORD ROAD
6.) Addition to House of Mr Woods in GROVE ROAD.

 1894

BAPTISTS & the PAPACY:  Speech by Moderator of  Suffolk & Norfolk Baptists: Referring to the
Catholics he said:” There was no greater enemy to the Church of God or to the people. Whenever the

East Suff Gaz 12 Jun 

Papacy came in contact with the people the impress was like the impress of a deadly serpent, it meant
their harm and never their good. It was a religious system which robbed men of all that was noble and
worth possessing, made them a prey of superstition, the dupe of the priest, and the wretched slave of

the Pope. [lots of letters in the paper at this period mostly anti Catholic]
CYCLISTS’ RIDE  Group of  cyclists set  off from Aldgate,  London  at  midnight,  despite the rain,
arrived in Beccles at 4pm. The King’s Head was the stopping place for luncheon, and the old posting

1894
East Suff Gaz 19 Jun 

house was the centre of a very animated scene. After luncheon a large group of cyclists formed up in
the Newmarket,  and Mr A Darby took a large-sized photograph of the party. A procession was the
formed out of the town, and the remaining fifteen of a journey of 130 miles to Yarmouth was ridden

at a sharp pace.
SALE: ROSEMARY LANE: Brick & Tiled COTTAGE with Garden in front in the occupation of Mr
William Remblants, a quarterly tenant at the annual Rent of £6 10s

1894
East Suff Gaz 26 Jun 

 
1894

 

[withdrawn at £60]
THREE ANGLERS staying for three days at Mr Harmer’s River View Apartments, from Shepherds
Bush, had good catch of fish, one angler caught fish weighing  a total of 68lbs.

East Suff Gaz 26 Jun 
1894

BECCLES  RIFLE  VOLUNTEERS  under  the  command  of  Captain  Larkman  paraded  and  were
inspected by the Adjutant. The average attendance at drills 90
RIVER  EXCURSION by 150  of Wesleyan Church  in  Steamer “Jenny  Lind” to Reedham Ferry. A

East Suff Gaz 26 Jun 
1894
East Suff Gaz 26 Jun 

wet day.
ASSASSINATION of PRESIDENT CARNOT by a 22 year old Italian

1894
1894

East Suff Gaz 26 Jun 

SCHOOL  BOARD:  WM  Crowfoot,  Chairman,  It  was  decided  to  build  two  new  Classrooms  to
accommodate  60  boys and  60  girls  and that Arthur  Pells be  asked to submit plans  and  estimates.

East Suff Gaz 3 Jul 

ALSO an Assistant Mistress required at £40 pa.
BATHING PLACE opened  and  in  great demand because  of tropical heat in the last few days. The

1894
East Suff Gaz 3 Jul 

building is large than the old Granary and has 24 separate compartments for subscribers and two large
rooms free for the public
HOSPITAL: Resignation of Dr Metcalfe  as medical  officer owing to  ill  health. Mr WM Crowfoot

1894
East Suff Gaz 3 Jul 

drew attention to the fact that Dr Metcalfe was the principal mover in the founding  of the Hospital
and expressed regret that he should need to resign through ill health, the office he had held with such
great benefit to the Hospital for so many years. He proposed that Dr Metcalfe be  elected honorary

consulting physician in recognition of his services.
Letters  received  from  Mr  Helsham,  successor  to  Dr  Metcalfe  and  Mr  R  Aldous  asking  to  be
appointed to the medical staff of the Hospital. Proposed by Mr Masters, seconded by Rev Muncster.

 
 

Agreed. A vote of thanks to the Medical Officers for their gratuitous services carried.
APOLLO  LODGE CENTENARY: Founded in  July  1794. Joseph  Foyster installed  as Worshipful
Master. Visitors included Rev Muncaster.

1894
East Suff Gaz 10 Jul 

1894
1894
1894

SALE of 2275 Lambs and sheep at Durrants.
WOODBRIDGE SCHOOL HEADMASTER resigns.
CHOIR TREAT of Congregational Church to Lowestoft and Somerleyton, where they went boating,

East Suff Gaz 17 Jul 
East Suff Gaz 17 Jul 
East Suff Gaz 17 Jul 

accompanied by Mr & Mrs Master & Miss Aggas.
SUDDEN DEATH of Miss Thornton of Ravensmere  aged 71.  She was the  eldest  daughter  of Mr
Richard Thornton, who was  a notable  man in the town  40 years  ago. He  carried on  an  extensive

1894
East Suff Gaz 17 Jul 

business at the Brewery in Northgate.
FIRE in Mr WR Smith’s Shop (hairdresser)  in SMALLGATE almost opposite the White Lion Fire

1894
East Suff Gaz 17 Jul 

Brigade put out the fire after three quarters of an hour.  The large beams under the ceiling were all
burnt through. In the room above the shop the furniture was badly damaged by water.

1894
1894

LICENCE: Britannia Shades in BLYBURGATE to Lambert Wm Sewell
ATTEMPTED SUICIDE Mrs Griffin of St George’s Road, an elderly widow,  threw herself into the

East Suff Gaz 24 Jul 
East Suff Gaz 24 Jul 

River adjoining Mr Pells’s premises. A lad named Pleasants in the carpenter’s shop heard the splash
and raised the alarm. The air under her clothing prevented her from sinking and she was rescued.
CATHOLICS to lose Dom Hugh Ford, who is to become again the Prior of Downside.

1894
1894

East Suff Gaz 31 Jul 

POLICE COURT: Catherine  Simmonds, [aged  26]  single woman  guilty of throwing  a  large  stone
through the window of William Thorpe [aged 78] in Newgate at half past one in the night, and glass
fell on his  bed. Mrs Thorpe [aged  73]  said she  looked  out of the window and saw her picking  up

East Suff Gaz 7 Aug 
another stone.  She also showed  a large pickle  jar which  had  been thrown through the window of  a
Beccles Newspapers from 1891 
David Lindley, Jan 2003 
41

lower  room. The Defendant said that Mrs  Simmonds  had thrown a  chamber pot at her,  and  all she
was doing was to throw the pieces back. She also stated that Mr Thorpe pursued her with a stick  and

said he would kill her