On the 10 May 1451 the Abbot granted the Fen to the inhabitants of Beccles for ever, allowing them free use of rushes &
sedge at a yearly rent of £6-13-4
From that time the Fen and manor became separate one from the other.
The inhabitants were not yet legally incorporated, in other words they had not received a Royal Charter. But a Grant had been
made to some of them by name as members of the 24s & 48s. This was the town council in late 15C & early 16C when there were
only 300 or 400 families in the town. They made the Regulations for the Fen until 1539.
In November 1539 Henry VIII took over Bury Abbey. He also took over Beccles Fen & Common.
The chief man in the town was William Rede
"one specially beloved & trusted, that did give great alms to the poor and did bestow good sums of money in mending of
highways about & near the town." He was an elderly man.
William Reed was given the job of buying the fen from the king. The funds came from:
All of these were to be sold. Altogether William Rede had a total of £300 - £400 from the town at his disposal.
"Merchant Rede, with the Abbot's grant and the money in his saddle bag , took horse for London. He had his instructions, - to
buy the Fen, on the best terms he could, and obtain the land for the town, which had become so essential for its prosperity. At
the same time William Rede I's younger son William II was attempting to purchase the manor of Beccles, but was told he should
not try to buy the manor until his father had obtained the Fen.
William Rede I
money, and was willing to pay off £6 of the rent of £6-13-4 at 20 years purchase (which is what the Court of Augumentations
was asking), or £120 - leaving 13s-4d as a perpetual ground rent to the Crown. - William Rede I was given the Grant.
From the £350 or more at his disposal Rede had paid £120 & his expenses. He appeared to have pocketed the rest.
This was the cause of contention between the townspeople and the Redes for the next 50 years
2. A house & land at Blofield, Norfolk belonging to the Gild of St Michael in Beccles - he was the sole surviving
trustee.
3 A flock of sheep at Blofield
4 Silver Plate belonging to the Guild of St Michael & some church plate.
2.
3.
4.
Two orders or companies were to be constituted - not as before of 24s & 48s - but one body to consist of the 12
chiefest and discreet men of the town and the other of 24 "honest & meet persons".
The could own a Council House to be called the Guildhall
The Corporation was to make regulations for the Fen.
1860?
WILTON RIX WRITING in 1860s? “Mr Abraham Clarke tells me that he could just remember some
Lincolnshire Militia, in his childhood having a few tents on the south east side of what is now called
Boney’s Island in consequence of some of the men being afflicted with smallpox or some other
contagious disease.
Mr Clarke says that before the peace of 1814 the uneven ground, then unenclosed, now known as
Boney’s Island was usually called “The Hill”. It acquired its present name from the bonfire made there
at the Peace Festival in that year.
The hard Common - as distinguished from the Fen or Marsh was known as the Hill or higher ground.
Boney’s Island: It has almost invariably happened that the Plantation on the Common, to which the
Public are allowed access in the Winter has been ‘banned & barred’ to the Town for some weeks in
Spring when a walk round its shady avenues would be most enjoyable
TO BE LET: A Cottage & 11 acres of Land near Beccles Common. Apply Mr Newson at King’s Head
on Friday 18 August
AGRICULTURAL SHOW: First visit in its 41 year history. Men of town and neighbourhood came up
with subscriptions and special prizes. Supplemented by Horticultural & Poultry Shows.
Show given contributions of £450: £100 from Council; 10 gns from John Crisp; £10 each from Gurney,
Lacon, Garrod Bros, Thornton etc. & others £5.
Samuel Darby erected required shedding for £84 & built grandstand by the horsering. (he paid £2 for
the right)
1871
covering several acres, which is intersected with neat gravel paths and forms an agreeable promenade
in the summer, This is on the north side of the Show. Approached by gravel walk a quarter of a mile
long with handsome gates and palisading at each end. On either side there is a neat edging of grass
and a well-kept flower bed planted with trees, flowers and shrubs. A large dyke in which are a number
of fine swans, intersects the path at about two thirds of its length and is crossed by an iron bridge. At
the entrance is a pretty octagonal arbour and two others of different shape at the end.
On a passenger alighting at the Railway Station a few yards brought him to the entrance to the
Avenue, where a hut was erected for the purpose of taking tickets.
From the entrance he appearance was picturesque and animated. On the right, on a piece of level
meadow land, were the beautiful marquees in which the Horticultural and Poultry Shows were held,
with flags floating gaily in the breeze from their summits. Looking beyond the broad Avenue, with a
row of flags on either side, were long rows of shedding standing out in bold relief from the
umbrageous background of the plantation, with the neater tents for the judges and secretary and
refreshment booths towering above.
There was a shed for cattle 90 ft long, next to this the 32 lb cannon of the 4th Suffolk Artillery
Volunteers, from which floated a large Royal Standard. Another double row of shedding with stalls for
bullocks, riding horses and cattle 270 ft long. At the back pens for sheep and pigs 360 ft long, a water
tank and a few more stalls for the bullocks
The stalls for riding horses, at the upper end of the ground, a single row of stalls 260 ft, a double row
230 ft and another single row of 220 ft. Near the centre of the ground were refreshment booths and
ladies’ cloaks. Refreshments by Messrs Snowden, Beccles. In the centre the Riding Horsering 40
yards by 120 yards with a grandstand for 600 people at prices of 1 or 2 shillings. There were hurdles
and water jumps of 12 ft. and a platform for the Band near the centre.
On the left: stalls for agricultural horses 450 ft by 250 ft, and carriages and heavier agricultural
implements.
1873
exercises were gone through; then followed several Company movements, the whole concluding with
skirmishing.
marched to the Common, ranks were opened and minute inspection of arms, accoutrements, etc. The
Corps marched past in quick and double time, line was formed, and the manual, firing, and bayonet
3000ft in length. A new feature is the engagement of two professional Lady Riders - one took first
prize for riding at Alexandre Park Horse Show last week.
THE HORSE SHOW: The stalls in which the horses are to be placed erected in the form of a square &
are all covered with canvas. Accommodation for: 30 stallions, 50 hunters, 54 hackneys & roadsters, 21
cobs, 35 ponies, 50 agricultural horses, 20 horses in harness, 16 for trotting & 26 for jumping. Inside
the enclosure a horse ring - an ellipse of 200ft in circumference, where trotting & jumping trials will
take place. At the side of the ring a Grandstand 300ft long to accommodate 1000 people. 20 Classes;
prizes ranging from £20 to £4 & prizes for jumping, trotting etc. Tents for refreshment6 at the
Hortcultural Show. Many Entries. Band of 33rd (Duke of Wellington’s Own) Regiment. Will end with
Firework Display.
On Second Day a Sale of Horses by George Fenn. 100 entries.
THE HORSE SHOW: Took place on 23 & 24 July. Good hot weather - high praise. Fire Works each
night.
1873
1883
men caught the 8.35 train back, the Bungay men an hour later. Refreshment in the Britannia Shades
[Blyburgate] provided by Mr Wright
Common.
ii) Alderman Masters complained about the state of the Common. It should be a place of recreation,
but the sweeping of the streets and the night soil were carted there and created a great nuisance. The
same concerned the holes on the Common, which ought to be filled up as much as possible, and some
Reply: The Common was little else but holes; but the holes made for getting out gravel must be filled
up. Councillor Read said that only a short time ago he had the misfortune to lose a cow owing to its
falling into one of those holes. Not long after he saw two ponies galloping in play, and one of them
COUNCIL: Why had the Rifle Range on the Common not been used for practice as it had been for the
last 30 years? Unfortunately the artillery had been allowed to use the range and had killed a horse
belonging to Sir Charles Clarke’s tenant, Mr Ross. He was reimbursed for the loss of the horse, but he
considered it insufficient. Sir Charles would not allow the range to be used unless the War Office
indemnified him, which they would not do. It was agreed that a letter should be sent to Sir Charles.
1899
1899
1911
shot. the party afterwards had a liberal spread in one of the outbuildings prepared by the Mayoress.
other sport there.
membership of between 50 and 60. He already had promises from 38 men and 14 ladies.
Subscriptions & entrance fees would amount to £70. The ground would cost about £30 to lay out.
The Yarmouth professional had been over to inspect the Common, and thought that a very nice nine
hole course could be laid out. It would in no way interfere with any other sport. Col Dunnage elected
President. Vice Presidents: NH Bacon, JE Crisp, WCK Clowes, WM Crowfoot & EJ Poyser. Also
WA Clowes be asked to accept captaincy. CT Clarkson to be Hon Sec. The Committee: JP
Larkman, TP Angell, TW Woodroffe, W Ayrton, FW Robinson, FF Garrood & JR Crisp. In reply to
Col Wilson, it was understood that the whole working of the club should be left to the Committee.
The Committee was authorised to select plans for a suitable Club House. About £200 would be
needed for that. The raising of the funds was agreed in the form of £1 shares bearing 4% interest.
The reopening of the Rifle Range on the Common was not approved by Inspectors because it was too
dangerous.
The Council agreed to let a Marsh neighbouring the Common to the Sanders Aeroplane Factory with
permission o build a shed in which a flying machine with up-to-date improvements has been
constructed. It would be very gratifying if the success anticipated were attained, and a new
flourishing industry were established in the town.
1914
1917
1917
1917
Common Farm with house & nearly 13 acres of pasture land, Mr Soanes (the tenant) £280;
£180; Hoffman brick kiln, Kiln Farm, 2 cottages, farmhouse, 50 acres, Mr TJ Self £1,150; The
they were told to do it by Adams, the links keeper. The common was to have potatoes planted on it.
Fined 2s 6d each.
the cottage and premises on the Plantation on the Common; the Bathing Place and cottage in
Puddingmoor.
Worlingham Hut was opened in April of this year, and is of attractive design and well equipped,
costing altogether (with furnishings) £900. It is open from 10am to 9.30pm. Concerts are arranged
weekly.. There are lantern and other lectures, and the Red Triangle Library of 500 volumes. Huge
quantities of writing paper, envelopes and postcards are given away, as well as ink, pens and blotting
paper.
the Common, are responsible for the counter and kitchen duties.
helpers, who under the able direction of Miss Nellie Pells for Worlingham, and Miss Julia Pells for
postal orders cashed 4874.
1917
1918
1918
The work begun on the Common under Mr & Mrs Benns, assisted by Miss Julia Pells & Mr Womac
Brooks is being continued in the Public Hall.
showing it to a soldier billeted on them, when it exploded and blew off two of his fingers.
of elm and poplar, 24 standing pollards on the Avenue & 2 ash
trees planted. 4. The military state that they will require the use of the Common again this summer.
Lovat Scouts wrote with reference to buildings they were occupying in the Island. The shed now used
as a barber’s & tailor’s shop was in a state of collapse, and would not have occupied it if a charge was
to be made.
2/1st LOVAT SCOUTS thank the Council for its kindness in giving them use of the Garden on the
Common at the disposal of the troops during their stay in Beccles. They now hand the Garden back to
the Council with about 1,000 young cabbage plants growing there.1919
War Department by Tender: Summer Camp: Structures & fittings: Corrugated Iron Cookhouses, Field
Latrines, Paving Slabs, Stoneware, Drainpies etc. on BECCLES COMMON.
SWINGS: Three swings to be erected on Beccles Common, but witout enclosures, at the left side of
the entrance from the Avenue.
Common
Tenders for wire fencing 800 yards on new Avenue from Station to Common
We notice the opening of the Avenue leading to the Common, a work of great expense, on
Wednesday 1 May, the opening day.
Opening of the AVENUE on 1 May: at 5.30 the Town Council starts from the Council Chamber, headed
by Rifle Corps Band, down Station Road, across the Railway Bridge. Mayor declared it open. Council
proceeded to the Plantation known as Boney’s Island to inspect the Pathway.
Returned to Assembly Room & a substantial tea provided by Mr Shore of the White Lion. 70 people
Mr Rix spoke [as Mayor]:
“In the making the Path they had employed a number of old men who otherwise might have gone to
the Workhouse; it was surely better to employ them than let them go there.
Mr Mayhew praised Mr Fenn’s role as Town Surveyor, showing “his usual energy.”
Council purchased three swans for the ornamental water in the Avenue for £1 2s 0d
An Avenue has been made by the Corporation from the Station Road to the Common, at a cost of
between £800 and £900: it is 60 feet in width, and a quarter of a mile in length: there have been planted
elm trees for the Avenue, and likewise shrubs and flowers; the whole is enclosed with iron fencing.
There is a piece of ornamental water with swans.
COUNCIL: The huts on the Avenue to be sold at the next Marsh Letting.
LETTER: Being in Beccles for a few hours I was much attracted by the appearance of the Avenue
leading on to the Common. I was so pleased with the view that I determined to look at it a little closer
and proceeded a short distance along its course. But I had not gone far before I was compelled to
retreat. Not that the spot that I had reached was untidy or uncared for, indeed it bore traces of having
recently received particular attention. Plants and shrubs were there in profusion, and the flowers had
begun to unfold themselves and to lend their aid to render the spot particularly attractive. But the air
was filled with such a filthy odour! So horrible was it that I was obliged to run away as quickly as
possible. From enquiries I learnt that the foul ditch from which this stench springs has existed for
many years.
The ditch on the Avenue has been emptied of its filth.
The Band of the 4th Suffolk Artillery will play a selection of Music on the Avenue every Thursday
evening commencing 7 June at 7.30 pm. Subscriptions towards defraying the expenses to Dixon,
Stationer [15 Newmarket]. Programmes 1d. Signed G. Hussey, Bandmaster.
The Avenue which was made in 1867, at a cost of £900, is sixty feet wide and a quarter of a mile
1867
1868
1869
1875
1875
aeroplane of 1911 and the gallant efforts to build a plane to fly. Mr. Sanders. began constructing his
machine at Kessingland in 1908. It was a very frail effort of wood, covered with cotton fabric, and
powered by a four-cylinder engine made for him by Messrs Brooke.
After a few hops, along the Denes, Mr. Sanders made a bold move in 1911 when he hired a marsh
adjoining Beccles Common and built a hangar and workshops. He used the Common for flight. trials.
In this, he had followed in the footsteps of another local pioneer, a gentleman named King. who had
brought his monoplane to the Common, housed it in a large tent and after several abortive attempts to
leave the ground. finally gave up when the- machine and the tent were wrecked in a gale.
and twin propellers at the rear, the pilot being mounted in an open seat in the centre of the lower wing.
In those early days there was no ready made formula for flying and modifications, were constantly
being effected. A greater amount of success. attended the scrapping of the twin “props” and
substituting one driven direct from the engine.
Crowds of people flocked to the; Common to watch the trials, often ending in some minor crash.
However. each succeeding test saw the tiny biplane airborne, if only for a few seconds. Inches.,
became feet. then yards and when an Army pilot Lieut. W. Parke, took over the controls,. success
seemed not far away.
Then came an epic evening. The aeroplane was wheeled out from its marsh hangar and taken across to
the ‘straight” leading, to the “Butts.” The engine was started. the plane moved slowly away. then
gained speed and, height to over 30 ft. Still gaining height it turned left when nearing the “Butts,
crossed over the marshes, toward, the Lowestoft line on which a train was, making for Beccles”. The
plane turned again and within seconds train and machine were level, but only momentarily, for Lt.
Parke soon gained on his rival and continued until he was over the Black Dam railway crossing.
struck a tree by the gate leading to the Common. The plane crashed and was severely damaged, but
the pilot had a miraculous escape from injury. The next day saw a local newspaper proclaiming
“Aeroplane Races Lowestoft Train!”
Undaunted Mr Sanders and his little staff rebuilt the plane and again trials proceeded, eagerly
watched by a crowd of sightseers which at times numbered more than 2,000. Then came the eve of the
Kessingland Flower Show and an added attraction was to be Captain Sanders’ aeroplane, which
would be flown over from Beccles the previous evening. Once again crowds flocked to the Common to
witness the take-off. On a fine, warm. summer evening the plane once again was wheeled out on to the
“straight” and the engine started. Heading in the direction of the Worlingham Road. the machine
climbed and was soon over the rising ground bordering the road. Its success was short-lived,
however, for not being able to clear the road the pilot was forced to bring it down on the field, happily
undamaged. It was. brought back to the Common, wheeled across dikes on planks, and next day made
PROJECT ABANDONED
abandoned.
When the 1914 war broke out Mr. Sanders joined the Royal Naval Air Service, during which be was
the victim of a serious accident, being struck by a propeller. In the meantime his test pilot, Lieut.,
Parke, had been killed in a flying accident, a fate unfortunately very prevalent in those early days-of
man’s effort to conquer the air.
From flying Mr Sanders turned to a much less arduous vocation, that of a smallholder, and for some
years he specialised in growing flowers, at his nurseries. at Somerleyton Road, Oulton. where his
death occurred last week. He was burried in St. Margaret’s Churchyard, Lowestoft.
1849
Sale of the Earl of Gosford’s Estate in one Lot on 21 August 1851
Small Occupations: in Beccles & Worlinmham
298
299
300
301
32
First Sweethall’s dole
Middle Sweethall’s dole
Further Sweethall’s dole
Common Drain Marsh
2a 0r 16p
1a 3r 31p
5a 0r 20p
11a 1r 11p
Total
1851 Census
Mary Whyett
M
50
F
Kesingland
wife
1860
1865
1870
1875
1880
Beccles Common
Beccles Common
Beccles Common
Beccles Common
Beccles Common
James Wyatt
James Wyatt
James Whyett
James Whyett
Richards, Mary Ann
Earl of Gosford
Clarke, Rev Sir Charles
Clarke, Rev Sir Charles
Clarke, Rev Sir Charles
Clarke, Rev Sir Charles
Mary A. RICHARDSW
Mary A. RICHARDSU
Willie ROE
27
17
F
M
Syleham, Suffolk, England
Ringsfield, Suffolk, England
Daur
1890
1895
1899
1904
1906 Survey
1907
1914
1914
1922
1927
1936
1948
1954
1963
1967
1974
Beccles Common
Beccles Common
Beccles Common
Beccles Common
SALE of unsold portions of WORLINGHAM ESTATE: 11 farms & 1,448 acres.
Castle Farm 176a 2r 20p, farmhouse & 2 Cottages, Mr Holt £3,350;
Arable Field, 9a 31 p, Mr Ward £180;
Hoffman brick kiln, Kiln Farm, 2 cottages, farmhouse, 50 acres, Mr TJ Self £1,150;
The Common Farm with house & nearly 13 acres of pasture land, Mr Soanes (the tenant) £280;
Richards, Mary Ann
Richards, Mary Ann
Soanes, Fred
Soanes, George
Soanes, George
Soanes, George
Soanes, George
cowkeeper
cowkeeper
cowkeeper
Clarke, Rev Sir Charles
Clarke, Rev Sir Charles
Clarke, Rev Sir Charles
Marsh Farm
Common Farm
Common Farm
Common Farm
Common Farm
Common Farm
Woodview Farm
Woodview Farm
Wodview Farm
Woodview Farm
Foreman, William
Boast, Arthur
Daniel Baxter ?
William Hackett
William Hackett
William Hackett
William Hackett
cowkeeper
cowkeeper
cowkeeper
farmer
[1835
1841
1845
1850
1851 CENSUS
THE MARSHMAN, Wigg, allowed 8s salary for his labour on the Fenn.]
[948.3]
[ 959]
{997]
Corporation
Baxter, Benj
Baxter, Benj
Beccles Town Council
Beccles Town Council
House
House
£2-15s
£2-15s
Baxter, Hannah
Baxter, Benjamin
Baxter, Hannah
Baxter, Robert
Baxter, John
Baxter, Ruth
Baxter, James
49
14
13
11
9
7
5
Baddingham
Beccles
Beccles
Beccles
Beccles
Beccles
Beccles
322
322
322
322
322
322
322
1860
1865
1870
1875
1880
1881 CENSUS
Baxter, Bn
Baxter, Benj
Baxter, Benj
Baxter, Benj
Baxter, Jacob
[1057]
[1098]
[1381]
[1333]
[1414]
Beccles Town Council
Beccles Town Council
Beccles Town Council
Beccles Town Council
Beccles Town Council
House
House
House
House
House 7 Bldgs
£4-5s
£8-10s
£8-10s
£8-10s
£8-10s
Jacob BAXTER M
Elizabeth BAXTER M
George BAXTER
William BAXTER
Agnes BAXTER
Harry BAXTER
Albert BAXTER
Charles W. BAXTER
Beccles, Suffolk, England
Beccles, Suffolk, England
Beccles, Suffolk, England
Beccles, Suffolk, England
Beccles, Suffolk, England
Beccles, Suffolk, England
Beccles, Suffolk, England
Beccles, Suffolk, England
37
14
12
10
8
6
2
F
M
M
F
M
M
M
Wife
Son
Son
Daur
Son
Son
Son
Scholar
Scholar
Scholar
Scholar
1890
1895
1899
1906 SURVEY
Town Council
Town Council
Town Council
[1601]
[1601]
[1716]
Beccles Town Council
Beccles Town Council
Beccles Town Council
House & Bldgs
House & Bldgs
House & Bldgs
£8-10s
£8-10s
£8-10s
Common
Baxter, Jacob
marshman
Corporation
dwelling
4
1922
1927
1936
1948
1954
1965
1974
Baxter, Jacob
Rackham, Arthur
Rackham, Arthur
?
Powley William
Powley William
?
Corporation Marshman
Corporation Marshman
Corporation Marshman
Island House