January 14th 1914

Walter Game aged 11 was charged by Felix Gage of Monks Eleigh for setting fire to a wheat straw stack. P.C.Smith said that when the boy got home he took possessiom of a pair of boots, he was assisted by Inspector Benstead, they took prints from near the stacks which, he pointed out, a similarity to the boot print casts with two blakeys corresponding. ?

January 27th 1914

The mystery of a missing woman was cleared up when the police recovered the body of Mrs Rose Molton of Melford from Lyston floodgates at the old mill. They had been dragging the mill stream for several days without success. On Saturday with the permission of the mill owner they held up the water and then let it go down to several feet below normal. Inspector Nunn and Mr Parry (who has had much experience of such things at the Royal Albert docks) then with the use of a boat lent by Messrs Stafford Allen, found a dress with a grappling irons and with it the body which had been submerged under a fallen tree.
The body was taken to Lyston Place farm, deceased was 64 years and from St Catherine's road. Found drowned.

February 14th 1914

At Halstead County Court, Mr John Borrow of St Mary's Hall, Belchamp Walter, sued Charles Portway a manufacturer for £ 19 14s for expences incurred in an trap accident, he had been to Braintree market when near Crouch Green at Castle Hedingham he ran into a cart being driven by a man named Harrington and the shafts broke. £ 17 14s allowed.

February 14th 1914

West Suffolk Stag Hounds. Since the wonderful deer " Independence" was let out at Belchamp a few weeks ago after treating the followers to three hours run before the hounds were stopped, a large number of people have been wondering when Mr Burton and Mr Middler who are the Masters had made up their minds when to have another go at her.
On Monday they started from Foxearth where the quarry had been located a fortnight ago, on Saturday they were " whooly struck" to learn that 30 boxes had already been ordered at Melford, the G.E.R. running a special train, they arrived at about 9-45 am giving plenty of time to unload and to ride to the meet at Foxearth. We were pleased to hear that the deer was close by in a litle spinney, shortly after 11 am the hounds moved off with a very pretty field ensuing," Independenc" jumped in front of the pack and raced over the hill towards Belchamp, everyone wanted to keep the hounds in sight and they were treated to 30 minutes over lovely countryside towards Stoke, then on to Clare, before we could get a breather she ran towards Cavendish where she recrossed the stream towards Poslingford. The Huntsman, Mr Burton, asked for a few of the field to ride her down and try to take her, this was accomplished in a farmyard at Cavendish, an enjoyable ride of two and a quarter hours.

March 4th 1914

Fallen underwood in Goldingham wood at Bulmer to be sold.80 score faggots, large quantity of poles, the auctioneer will meet the company by the wood on the Gestingthorpe Bulmer road at 11-30 am.
All faggots to be moved by March 21st or left at owners risk.

March 4th 1914

At the adjourned licencing sessions at Melford. Supt Bardwell said the George and Dragon belongs to Messrs Oliver and is tenanted by Albert Bevan, it situated in the High Street with a draw up.
Mr Oliver said the house was superior to many other houses, well erected and easy to supervise. Supt Nunn said that a door up the lane made it bad for supervision. Bevan, the landlord, said there was accomodation for 10-12 horses, people attending the Chapel opposite put their horses up on Sunday evenings, the house was convenient for people living in St Catherine's road, they had 37 jug and bottle customers, he had no complaints from the police and would be very unhappy if the licence was taken away. Mr Oliver said the Green Dragon trade in 1913 was 208 barrels of draught beer and 169 dozen of bottled beers, the spirit trade amounted to 79 bottles, trade for the last 7 months was 145 barrels and 160 doz bottles, explanation for the large spirit trade was that the old tenant would not buy any, average trade was 4 and three quarters barrels a week and 5© doz bottled beers. Licence granted but it would be wise to close the door on to the lane.

April 8th 1914

Arthur Levett aged 20 years an auxiliary postman at Glemsford was charged with stealing a postal order worth 10s. For trial.

April 2nd 1914

Death at Borley of Mrs Caroline Bull, widow of the late Rev H.D.Bull. Deceased was the daughter of the Rev H.S.Foyster of Hastings, she married the Rev Bull in 1862 and there were 12 children of the marriage, the ten still living followed their mother to the grave.

April 2nd 1914

At mid-day on Monday there was a stack fire at Mr Crooks farm at Lt Cornard. Mr Joseph Coe, a threshing machine contractor from Bulmer was motoring up a steep hill nearby, known as Prospect Hill when the driving chain snapped and the car went backwards. Mr Coe applied the brakes but they refused to act so he hastily backed into the side of the road with the result that the car overturned, he and his companion,(a little girl" were thrown out, Mr Coe cut his hand but the little girl was unhurt.

April 29th 1914

Funeral at Borley of Mr Simon Clarke who was for 35 years manager of the mill at Borley for Mr Payne.

April 29th 1914

The Belchamp R.D.C. surveyor reported that work on the Belchamp Otten well was now completed and that there was water within 6 inches of the estimated depth at 95 feet, the analysis of the water was good, 4 tenders were received for the pump, the lowest was from Mr Mitson of Clare, which would cost £ 38 7s, the total cost would be £ 96 which would be spread over four years.

April 29th 1914

A horseman named John Tuffin aged 67 years, employed by Col Burke and living at Haven Ground, Bulmer, met his death by drowning in 2 feet of water. He had watered his horses as usual and went to the pond to dip for a certain horse where he appears to have over balanced and fell in, he suffered from chronic rheumatism and was overcome by the sudden immersion in a few minutes. Bertie Withers drove his cows down to the pond and found Tuffin with his head in 2ft of water, he pulled him out and tried to bring him round without success. James Rowe who is also employed by Col Burke, said he had a conversation with the deceased a few minutes before and seemed quite normal. Accidental death.

May 27th 1914

At a meeting of Belchamp R.D.C. it was decided to write to the general manager of the G.E.R. regarding the level crossing gates at Borley being locked at night. The manager said he would look into the matter but that he did not understand the statement that it was a public road as it was made pursuant to a covenant on the part of the company when land on which the line was constructed and access was for the owners of adjoining property leading to the mill and other premises and that the company were not prepared to admit it was a public road and had a right to use it. Mr Payne said it was a public road before the railway was built and had led to the Common for hundreds of years, it was suggested that they see the company solicitors. The Surveyor said that roadmen wanted a wage rise as farm wages had risen to 13s a week and they would like 14s. Mr Frank Nott and Mr Ray said they should be paid the same as farm labourers, Mr Ward was the only one who voted for 14s.

June 3rd 1914

Arthur Levitt, 19, a postman from Glemsford, pleaded guilty ot stealing a postal order to the value of 10s, the prosecution said seven other postal orders and letters had been taken, he had been a postman for three years and had a widowed mother who said drink had brought all this about. Inspector Nunn said defendant was a native of Foxearth and was born in 1894. 2 years in the 2nd division.

June 3rd 1914

Mr A.Haynes of Bulmer has retired from the police force after 29 years, he has been appointed sub postmaster at Bulmer.

June 10th 1914

To be sold on the instructions of Mrs Raymond, the outlying portions of the Belchamp Hall Estate. - St Mary's Hall with restored Tudor Manor house, model buildings- 5 cottages--275 acres.
Smallholding adjoining known as Northey's, 52 acres.
By direction of the executors of the late Mr M.Blacker---New Barn Farm at Bulmer with double tenement and good buildings also 5 cottages known as Upper Houses, about 189 acres. July 1st 1914. At The Rose and Crown, Sudbury. St Mary's Hall, Belchamp Walter, 275 acres bought byMr Philip Hutley of Witham for £ 4000--Northey's withdrawn at £ 800---New Barn at Bulmer and Gestingthorpe, 129 acres 2 rods 4 perches with buildings and Goldingham Hall Wood, withdrawn at £ 2750---Stettles Farm at Belchamp Otten was bought by Essex County Council for small holdings, 130 acres. The unsold lots from Belchamp Hall have been sold by private treaty. July 8th 1914. Potters Tye at Acton sold to Mr Charles Day for £ 1490.

June 15th 1914

John Goodchild of Churchgate farm, Gelmsford was charged with failing to give notice of swine fever, he said he thought they were suffering from pneumonia. The Bench accepted his plea of ignorance and dismissed the case on payment of £ 1 6s costs.

June 15th 1914

John Deal of Cross Street, Sudbury, was charged with being drunk and disorderly at Melford. P.C.Gibbons said he was on duty near the Black Lion at Melford when defendant came along and wanted to fight him for £ 2, his wife and another man named Oakley tried get him away but he started to fight Oakley who knocked him down, with assistance witness took defendant into custody, he then kicked him in the lower part of the body and he knew no more until he came round in the police station and he has been off work ever since. Defendant said he had been to Melford Fair and was drunk. £ 5 and £ 2 costs.

June 24th 1914

Belchamp R.D.C. has received communication from the Postmaster General asking consent of the Council for extention of overhead telephone wires from Lyston Hall to a point near Lapwing Farm for the benefit of the chemical works. Granted.

July 15th 1914

West Suffolk Licence Meeting. The closure of the Rifleman Arms in Melford road, Sudbury, was discussed, the landlord is Edwin Edwards. The owners offered no objection, Inspector Reeve said the house was not needed in the district and the owners, Messrs Daniel, offered no objection. To be closed.

July 22nd 1914

Donald Viall, a farmer from Gestingthorpe, was sommoned on a charge of shooting with a revolver at one William Cutmore at present on strike at Ridgewell. Cutmore asked for an adjournment as the Union solicitor had not appeared, he had telegraphed the solicitor and he declined to go on with the case until he appeared but he was not afraid of anything. Mr Steed put the facts before a jury, defendand had discharged a shot into the air as a warning as he had 10-12 people were surrounding him at the the time and a friend was on top of an unbound load and he feared they would turn the load over, he had in his pocket a revolver and discharged a shot into the air. Dismissed.
July 22nd 1914 . It was decided at a meeting of Belchamp R.D.C. to keep four men on the roads while the others harvested, they were to serve 17 parishes, these men were to be paid 2s a week extra.

August 12th 1914

It was decided ar a meeting of the West Suffolk roads and bridges committee that there was a path inexistence at Borley before 1835 and tha there is evidence of repair and was a dedicated footpath before that date, Sudbury Corporation were required to maintain it.

August 26th 1918

There was a extraordinary accident at Lyston bridge resulting in the drowning of a valuable horse belonging Mr F.Branwhite, the animal was being driven by a man named Tatum, where at the spot mentioned the wheels of his cart got entangled with those of a waggon belonging to Mr C.Westropp, the horse drawing the latter was driven by Tatum's brother, as a result the horse and cart were dragged beside the side of the bridge which gave way and it was precipitated into the river where the horse drowned.

September 2nd 1914

Sale at the Hall and Brook farm, Newton by order of Mr Benjamin Gardiner who is retiring. 26 horses-250 sheep-300 poultry- threshing tackle-2 Ransomes 6 hp portable engines=Huller-Chaff Box- Agricultural implements for 600 acres including 10 Ransome Y L ploughs-2 McCormick binders. Sudbury Market -Wheat to 40-Barley to 35s.

September 9th 1914

Inquest on the body of Harry Bowers aged 35 who was found drowned in California brickyard in Waldingfield road at Sudbury.
Eliza Griggs, wife of John Griggs a horseman at the brickyard, said deceased lodged with them and she called him three times with no answer, she opened his door, he was not in bed, she went into the brickyard and asked some men if they had seen him, he was expecting to be called up. George Martin a labourer at the brickyard said at 8 he was going for his breakfast when he saw a body in the pond. Philip Vincent Hills said he employed deceased, he and another three men came to see him and said they were going to enlist. Found drowned.

September 23rd 1914

Sale at Newton Hall for Mr Ben Gardiner who is retiring in favour of his sons, such a important sale attracted buyers from a wide area.

October 7th 1914

St Batholomews farm at Sudbury was the scene of a fatal accident to a man named John Mumford, 47, of Queens Road, Sudbury. He fell from a walnut tree and fractured his skull. Frederick Lefley, a fish haker from Cross street, Sudbury, said he bought walnut tree from Mr Whybrew and got deceased to help him gather them. Accidental.

November 4th 1914

Eliza Smith was summoned by Daisy Johnson at Cavendish for assault, Mrs Smith cross summoned Mrs Johnson and also Bertie Bullock and Jane Bullock for assault at the same time and place.
Both cases were dismissed.
when the late Mr Thurgood made his will he had great difficulty as Mr Thurgood was nearly blind and deaf, he had managed to ascertain that he wished to leave the house and furniture to Mrs Ince as she had been his housekeeper, the will did not deal with the licence but that it was in the power of the Bench. Granted.

November 11th 1914

John Messent, a horseman of Bulmer was summoned for assaulting Thomas Elliston, a stockman of Bulmer. The complainant said that he had been to the Fox and that when he came home he went into the yard at Armseys farm (where he was employed by Mr Frank who had taken over the farm from Col Burke) when Messent came up and spoke about their wives having a disagreement, he then violently assaulted him by hitting him on the jaw knocking a tooth out, complainant then picked up a mangel and said " if you do that again I will throw this at you" he was then assaulted again by Messent and had to ask for mercy, complainant said he had only just come to live in the cottage next to defendant. David Ambrose, a horseman, gave evidence for the defendant, saying he saw complainant with a mangel with which he said he would strike defendant over the head with it. The chairman said if you did not do it how did he get the injuries, defendant said it could have been done at home as he and his wife would fight all dinner time. 5s with 4s costs

December 9th 1914

One family in Sudbury are showing loyalty by sending no less than five sons to the front. They are the sons of Arthur Manby of Clarence road. They are F.Manby of the A.S.C.-H.Manby of the Suffolk Reg-R.Manby of the 12th Royal Lancers-E.Manby of the 13th Hussars- C.Manby of the Royal Marines on H.M.S.Mars. F.Manby and E.Manby hold medals for the South African war.

January 6th 1915

At Belchamp R.D.C. Mr D.Ward of Foxearth asked if something could be done about the water which came down the road from Pentlow passed his house like river, his house being almost cut off for a day, a big drain was needed.

January 27th 1915

Wheat at Sudbury Market to 56s 6d-Barley to 40s.

May 5th 1915

A lad named Albert Burrows who was employed at Low Farm at Hevingham met his death in a strange manner, a man passing through a field at Ubbetson found deceased lying on his back at the back of a roll with the horse line twisted round his neck and quite dead, it is presumed that he was working the horse on a roll when he feel off and got the line entangled round his neck and strangled him to death. Death by suffocation.