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Information relating to the history of the Parish and Church of Glemsford Anchor 11 Churches You are here: Home : Buildings and Streets: Church and Chapels Glemsford's Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin is a Grade 1 listed building and dates back to the early 14th century. The Methodist Church is at the other end of the village and dates from the Victorian Era. Below you will find a link to a collection of stories and facts relating to the history of the Parish and Church of Glemsford by Rev. Kenneth Glass. A Short History of Glemsford by Rev K. Glass St. Mary's Church A History talk 2002 by Clive Paine A History of St. Mary's Church Font by David Newell A Guide to St Mary's A TOUR AROUND THE PARISH CHURCH OF ST. MARY THE VIRGIN, GLEMSFORD Ebenezer Chapel (link to St Edmundsbury Local History) Text taken from the above link. By 1829 about forty of these Glemsford worshippers would start building their own chapel at Glemsford. The new Ebenezer Chapel at Glemsford was opened by Pastor Elvin in 1830 with a large congregation and the first resident minister appointed was Pastor Robert Barnes who ministered there for 27 years. Membership included Baptist leaning worshippers from Sible Hedingham, Clare and all the surrounding villages. A plaque over the door read, "Strict Baptists", and the congregation seems to have required strict rules of conduct for its members. The Ebenezer Baptist Chapel in Egremont street. An early C19 rectangular chapel faced with plaster There is a central circular panel with the words Ebenezer Baptist Chapel and the date 1829. The congregation had their own pastor, Mr, A. J. Ward in the late 1800's and the last, Pastor Laver, resigned in 1945. In 1859, 32 members left Ebenezer and built their own chapel, The Providence Chapel, at the top of Hunts Hill Link to Glemsford Local History Society Facebook GLEMSFORD CHAPELS Glemsford in the nineteenth century had a strong non-conformist interest and four denominations developed churches and built their places of worship. In 1828 Ebenezer Baptist Chapel was built in Egremont Street and opened in 1829, and through the years they maintained a strong Christian witness. They also were able to support their own ministers, Mr, A. J. Ward was Pastor in the late 1800's and the last, Pastor Laver, resigned in 1945, The sad dispute which troubled the Baptist denomination in the 1850's had its repercussions in Glemsford and in 1859 Providence Chapel in Hunts Hill was opened. Both Churches flourished whilst Glemsford was prosperous with a large population but grew less strong as the village declined and Providence Chapel is now closed and disused. A branch of the Long Melford Congregational Church was formed in Glemsford about this period and they built a small chapel off Egremont Street, It is interesting to record that the Congregationalists used the Chapel for a fortnightly midweek service on a Thursday, and rented the Chapel to a company of Methodists for use on Sundays. The Chapel was known as "Renters Chapel" for this reason. During the first World far the Congregationalist cause was revived and flourished again for a number of years, but the Chapel is now closed and used as a store. The company of Methodists mentioned above were a church of Primitive Methodists in the Sudbury Circuit and in 1914 they decided to build the present Chapel at a cost of £495, and it was opened on Whit Monday 1915; it has seating for 300 and useful Sunday School hall and vestries After the Union of Methodist Churches in 1934 it continued in the Sudbury circuit and remains today the most flourishing nonconformist church. Members of the Plymouth Brethren have a meeting place in Egremont Street and although small in number their influence in Christian witness has been felt in the village. Although Nonconformity came late to Glemsford it had a great impact and it is to be regretted that modern folk no longer take the interest in Chapel and Church that was shown during the nineteenth century, when these causes were formed and the last major restoration of the Parish Church took place. Reference "A Short History of Glemsford" by Rev K Glass (see above) Providence Chapel (Drapery Common) Link to Glemsford Local History Society Facebook Providence Baptist Chapel was built in 1859, when 32 people left the Ebenezer Chapel. Those headstones that are still visible are as follows:- 1) George Maxim of Stanstead (next village to Glemsford) died April 7th 1887 aged 52 Also on the same headstone William Robert Scowen died October 25th 1902 (born 1831 I think.) 2) Eliza Relton died November 28th 1905 Also Charles Relton, husband, died March 30th 1909, aged 83 years. 3) Esther Prentice died 26th September 1910 aged 68years. 4) Alfred Fenn died 3rd December 1914 aged 71 Also Hannah Fenn, wife, died 16th March 1917 aged 69. 5) James Cook, died 30th March 1927 aged 60. Alice Cook, wife, 23rd November 1945 aged 76. Martha Elizabeth Cook, daughter, died 20th January 1912, aged 16. 6) Charles Smith, died 2nd September 1902, aged 54 Hannah (wife) died 10th November 1904 aged 54 7) Thomas Wordley died November 20th 1864 aged 58 years. 8. James Smith 61 or 71 years? 1864? 9) Samuel Kemp, 23 years a Faithful and Earnest Baptist Minister, died July 1874 aged 48 years. Also George Kemp, same headstone. Back to top

The history of Glemsford Village. Old photographs and postcards of Glemsford . Glemsford Village You are here: Home: Glemsford Village Glemsford walks Glemsford is an ancient village, dating back to Domesday, and before. Although it may have acquired its nickname only last century, it is possible to trace the history of the village across many more centuries through the huge variety of buildings and fieldnames. Park Farm for instance is thus called because its land was once the deer park for the Abbot of Ely, in whose gift the village was. Park Farm itself stands close to the village church which is dedicated to St Mary the Virgin. The church is a fine structure and, although not on the scale of Long Melford or Lavenham, is a good example of one of those churches which benefited from the successful East Anglian wool trade of the late middle ages. Elsewhere in the village are to be found many examples of English domestic architecture across the ages. There are several fine hall houses as well as a wide range of more modest weavers cottages which bear witness to several stages of the village's development over the centuries. On Bells Lane there is the structure of the horsehair weaving factory which prospered in the 19th Century. On Chequers Lane, a silk weaving operation still continues, having first arrived in Glemsford in the 1820's, from Spitalfields. Old Postcards Over the years, we have acquired a number of photographs of Glemsford, past and present. Some of these images are included in the collection of Old Postcards. The Station The Old Post Office The Church of St Mary Bells Lane Duffs Hill The Silk Mill Hunts Hill Bridge nr, Cranmore Scotchford Bridge Go to Old Postcards Early 20th Century Here we have included some first hand accounts of Glemsford in the Early 20th Century. Each document is saved in pdf format for you to click and view or download. Glemsford In the 1920s by Ted Hartley Glemsford In the Early 20th Century Extracts from 'Reubens Corner' by Spike Mays Glemsford Surroundings Over time we hope to create a collection of information regarding the surroundings of Glemsford. For now we have this interesting article about Stoke College. History of Stoke College Walks through Glemsford Links to documentation of walks around the village organised by the GLHS. 1998 Walk through Glemsford 1993 Glemsford Changes Glemsford Circular Walk

Pictures on display, on large baffle boards in the Heritage Room at Village Hall Back to Streets 1 Brook Street. The entrance to Crownfield is in the space between the two rows of cottages. Those nearer to the camera were pulled down,along with the nearby factory. 2 The former Crown Inn. Later became Serenity House situated on the right hand side of Brook Street, just before Chequers Lane. 3 Oscar Clarke. With delivery van, outside Fair Green House and The Little Cottage. 4 The Prince of Wales Inn. Located in Churchgate, approaching St Mary's Church. 5 The Horsehair Factory in Bells Lane Now living accommodation, but the windows are still visible today. Believed to have been Kolle's from1884 -1905, and then Arnold and Goulds, from 1907 – 1998 6 Harvest time. A big annual event in Glemsford, was the arrival of the threshing machine. This was known as The Fortune Teller. This picture shows threshing taking place behind The Cherry Tree, circa 1906. 7 This photograph is outside The Black Lion in Lion Road, circa 1880. 8. Bells Lane Taken from the junction with Park Lane. The view extends to the poplar trees, known as the Twelve Disciples, but there have only been eleven for many years. They are at the top of Shepherds Lane. The house on the left is still standing and was once the home of Henry Cook, who in 1885, led the men of Glemsford to Long Melford in order to vote. There were no voting facilities in Glemsford, a great deal of animosity between the Conservatives and Liberals, and a lot of discontent over continuous wage cuts. The situation in Long Melford worsened with voting difficulties and the drinking of much beer. There was fighting and some destruction of property. The army was called and the Riot Act was read. 9 The former Cherry Tree pub. circa WW1,[currently Wong's Chinese Restaurant] complete with a wonderful flowering cherry tree.

Information about events taking place in the society calendar. Events & Meetings Previous meetings on "Event" drop down box You are here: Home : Events On these pages you will find information about the events taking place in the coming months including talks, visits, activities and research. You will also find reports of prvious meetings should you have missed them. Scroll down to view. For further information please contact us here. Our programme of talks is provided by a variety of local speakers. Upcoming Events 2026 Julie Whittle: A Bulmer Family During World War II. March 12th 2026 Pip Wright: A Picture History Of Margaret Catchpole. April 16th 2026 NB. 3rd Thursday Mark Bailey: The Impact Of Global Climate Change On The East Anglian Coast 100 to 1600. May 14th 2026 A Summer Outing: To Be Arranged. June 11th 2026 A Summer's Evening Function: To Be Arranged. July 9th 2026 September 11th 20255 John Miners Horsehair Tails October 9th 2025 Annual General Meeting Committee Reports and Members' Talks . November 13th 2025 Kate Jewell: By The Moonlight I Must Go To My Bed. Schools and Education in Medieval Suffolk. January 8th 2026 Adrian Tindall: The Monastery Alone A City 1000 Years of The Abbey Of St Edmunds.. Our November talk given by Kate Jewell was entitled ‘Schools and Education in Medieval Suffolk’. Way back in 1234, Pope Gregory decreed that within Christendom every parish priest should have a clerk who was responsible for bringing boys into education, and this was certainly prevalent in the Suffolk of the late 14 th to early 16 th century when records show that elementary school for the formal education of boys existed in many towns and villages. Education was always linked to religion. Boys from wealthy and well-to-do backgrounds often had to pay a fee to the local employer/landowner before being sent to schools, the aim being to groom them for future priesthood. Books and documents still in existence show that the teaching, usually done by the local priests, was in both English and Latin and much was achieved ‘by rote’ chanting. Content included early alphabets and basic prayers, although in the grammar schools, which boys transferred to from the age of 12, more advanced primers were introduced containing collects, prayers, psalms, classical texts and lists of the seven sacraments and deadly sins. For these boarding schools, boys took with them an enormous pile of ‘necessaries’(clothes, shoes etc.); they sat on graded ‘forms’; texts were almost exclusively in Latin; discipline was strict and hours were long. However, the boys did enjoy their food and hated Lent when diets were restricted! Kate concluded her talk by briefly mentioning the life of girls who were essential for the running of households, many, like Alice de Bryene from Acton, becoming more than proficient in management and control of large farming communities. A dismally, wet and miserable January evening did not deter 41 members and visitors from attending Adrian Tindall’s talk entitled ‘The Monastery Alone a City’ - 1000 Years of the Abbey of St. Edmunds. Early research shows that Bury St. Edmunds was a significant town even in Saxon times, known then as Bedricesworth and by 630 AD Christianity and religious sites were prevalent. The martyrdom of King Edmund in 869/70 AD, set on record by Abbo de Fleury 100 years later, led to a great monastery being established by King Canute c.1020AD built around, and containing , the shrine of the murdered king. This was one of the greatest and wealthiest Benedictine monasteries in all of NW Europe, its wealth and power ever increasing until the Dissolution in 1539. Plans and archaeological digs show where the original buildings would have stood, the majority of them now in ruins showing only the flint-like inner structural core as the outer limestone facing stones have long been taken. Huge buildings such as the Norman Tower, St. James church (now the cathedral) and St. Mary’s church survived as they were all on the Abbey fringe, thus to be shared by the townsfolk. The present Abbey gate is a later addition, as the original one was destroyed by the local inhabitants in 1327- 46. (Angry relationships between town and Abbey were never cordial; the abbots were hated for their wealth and tight rein of town control). Today we can find evidence of the huge Abbey church, its nave, chapter house (with graves of six abbots!), chapels and crypt; some recent reconstructive pictures show how magnificent it would have been. The Great Court which housed stables, bake and brew houses and workshops is now the Abbey gardens, and many will recognise the Abbot’s bridge, still standing. Adrian’s most interesting talk certainly reminded us of what a fascinating place the St Edmundsbury Abbey was, and still is today. At February’s meeting speaker Andrew Mowbray took us on a ‘Virtually Colchester’ tour explaining, via maps and pictures, much of the history of this ‘oldest recorded town and newest city’ (2022). Evidence shows that the Celtic tribe Trinovantes had a settlement dating back to AD10, ruled by chieftains, situated in the Gosbecks area and known as Camulodunon. In AD41 Emperor Claudius’ invasion resulted in a large Roman settlement being built on the hill where the city now stands. The Iceni tribe’s rebellion, led by Bouddicca in 60AD, destroyed the town, but it was rebuilt by the victorious Romans with even greater splendour. It boasted a theatre, an amphitheatre, a temple, gates and roadways, ( a chariot circus was also situated a fair way off!) all surrounded by a sturdy wall, much of which is still standing. Come 450AD the Romans had abandoned Colchester to neglection. The 11 th . century saw the arrival of the Normans who adapted and improved much of what remained. Trinity Church tower maintains Roman brickwork, whilst St. Helena Chapel was Norman built. However, the ‘jewel in the crown’ is Colchester Castle built by the Normans, but standing over the original Roman temple which was erected in AD 54 by Nero to honour the murdered Emperor Claudius whose God-like status inspired worshippers. Andrew concluded his talk by visiting the 17 th century describing the Dutch Quarter formally inhabited by Flemish weavers, and the horrors of the 11 week siege during the Civil War. Finally we heard of the chequered history surrounding the building of the ‘Jumbo’ Water Tower on the very top of the hill. Colchester – a place really drenched in history!

History of families of glemsford including war stories, anecdotes and connections. People & Memories You are here: Home: People & Memories Family Histories Find out more about the families of Glemsford throughout the centuries from personal accounts to sourced information. War Stories The Glemsford War Memorial A Young Man's War The Sudbury Lamplighter One day in May 2000 Windsor Castle connection George Cross for F.Craddock Memories of Thomas Brown Why Little Egypt? History of Morris Men Australian Connection Aspects of Life Australian Penal Colonies Jabez Copsey A Fire-Raiser of 1844 Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee 2022 Coronation of King Charles III May 6th 2023

Archive of Glemsford Local History Society newsletters and publications Publications By Rev K Glass A short history of Glemsford St Mary's Font You are here: Home: Publications Below you will find an archive of the Glemsford History Society Publications and Newsletters. Click on descriptions below to search newsletter.pdf for full article Summer 2021 no 46 The boy who burned down a barn [part 2] Transportation by Barbara Richardson-Todd Landscape Gardening in 18th Century by Stephanie Prythergch-Hemphill The Waterworks Tower by late Gillman Game 2008 first published Spring 2021 no 45 Somerton Church 1538 Edmund Hibble of Somerton research by Linda Ronalds The Organ of St Mary's Church by Patrick Hemphill The Boy who burned down a barn [part 1] by Barbara Richardson-Todd Winter 2020 no 44 William Oliver 1804-1853 Halstead An Artist in the Garden by Jenny Wears Glemsford Telephone Exchange from 2007 by Gillman Game Autumn 2020 no 43 Charity Schools in the 20th Century by Stephanis Prythergch-Hemphill Glemsford Flood 2004 by Patrick Hemphill Henbane in Glemsford by Robin Ford Summer 2020 no 42 Trade and industry in Suffolk in 19th Century by Stephanie Prythergch-Hemphill Field names by Jenny Wears Taxes by Jenny Wears Shepherd Collis Goodchild 1878-1953 foamer and landowner Spring 2020 no 41 Village Education in 19th Century by Stephanie Prythergch-Hemphill Glemsford Schools by Jenny Wears WW1 POW Camp by Jenny Wears Summer 2019 no 40 History of the Susan Pearman Cup of Gardening Club by Richard Deeks 1994 Autumn 2018 no 39 The 15th Century House moved from Glemsford to California by Jenny Wears The Conservation of St Mary's Font by David Newell Spring 2018 no 38 Transported Burglars from Glemsford [part 2] by Jenny Wears Attempted Murder and Suicide in Glemsford [part 2] by Jenny Wears A Police presence in Glemsford Winter 2017 no 37 Transported Burglars [part 1] by Jenny Wears Riot Night December 2017 memoir of Ernest Ambrose of Long Melford Coals for Glemsford by Jenny Wears Autumn 2017 no 36 St Mary's Font by David Newell The Morris Men of Little Egypt 25 years by Neville Parry Spring 2017 no 35 The Brook St Nissan/ Romney Hut memoir by John Suttle plus notes by Rowland Hill The Manns Soap Boilers by Jenny Wears Winter 2016 no 34 The Ship A long lost Public House by Jenny Wears The Wool Cloth Industry by Jenny Wears Autumn 2016 no 33 Glemsford Urban District Council 1896-1935 Summer 2016 no 32 The Bells of St Mary's by Jenny Wears Canon Algernon Ogle Wintle Rector of Lawshall and Barrel Organs Glemsford Farms 1994 by Gillman Game Glemsford Fire Brigade Spring 2016 no 31 Peverells and George Cavendish by Jenny Wears E W Downs Engineering in Glemsford. A report on a talk by Donald Roger-Brown from 1998 The Stormport Saga of George Lane by Patrick Hemphill Report on talk by Pip Wright 2016 Alice de Bryne of Acton Winter 2015 no 30 Jocelin of Brakeland Autumn 2015 no 29 Mary Holmes School Mistress in Glemsford by Anne Edwards Glemsford Station A Victorian Home 1943- 51 by Celia Hall Summer 2015 no 28 The Welsh Miners' Strike the Glemsford Connection by Sid Watkinson Glemsford Methodist Church by Marilyn Nash Glemsford Station 1943-51 A child's eye view [part 3] by Celia Hall Spring 2015 no 27 Glemsford Station 1943-51 [part 2] by Celia Hall Autumn 2014 no 26 Woodfield Alley to Shitpot Alley. Map and changes of names Bernice Victor Goodey WW1 by Glenys Day Glemsford Station 1943-51 A childs eye view [part 1] by Celia Hall Spring 2014 no 25 The Butterwort and the Paper Mill Autumn 2014 no 24 The Silk Mill in Peril Spring 2013 no 23 Parish Council acquire telephone box Old Street Names [part 2] by Jenny Wears Vernon Bode The West Drayton Druid by Pat Currie Autumn 2012 no 22 Old Street names [part 1] by Jenny Wears Spring 2012 no 21 Abraham Slater A Glemsford Baize Maker by Jenny Wears Callis, Methold and Wimbus. A Manor within the purlieu of Glemsford by Pat Currie Autumn 2011 no 20 The Glemsford Workhouse by Jenny Wears Spring 2011 no 19 The Glemsford Crane Henry Kolle and Sons London Horsehair Manufacturers Winter 2010 no 18 A Glemsford Walking Tour Autumn 2010 no 17 Spring 2010 no 16 A Present from Glemsford Autumn 2009 no 15 Deaths of Frederick John Craddock 1886- 1943 and Albert Sterry at Flax factory Lower Rd. Lost Mills of Glemsford by Jenny Wears Autumn 2009 b Autumn 2008 no 14 The Origin of the Glemsford Station Spring 2008 no 13 The Glemsford Waterworks by Gillman Game Summer 2007 no 12 Happy Vaccy [part 2] by Jean Cook A Glemsford Family 19th Century [part 3] by Sheila Willmoth Spring 2007 no 11 Glemsford Post Office 1898-1932 by Gillman Game Happy Vaccy Evacuation to Glemsford [part 1] by Jean Cook 2007 Wolsey's Faithful Servant George Cavendish Summer 2007 Autumn 2007 Spring 2006 Autumn 2006 Childhood Memories by John Slater Spring 2005 Early 19th Century Apprentices in Glemsford by Eileen Lynch Autumn 2005 1999 Vol 2 Ed 2 Colonel Meek The Pearman Family Glemsford Wills by Eileen Lynch Skeletons 1851 Spring 1998 vol 2 Ed 1 Pub Games in Suffolk by Sid Watkinson Chequers Cottage by John Slater Spring 1998 Autumn 1995 Spring 1995

A Young Man's War You are here: Home: People & Memories: Auxilary Fire Service Volunteer Roy is a cabinet maker and master story teller. Some of his stories are a mite taller than his cabinets, but he is a fund of anecdotes. He is also a scribe of no little skill and a lot of humour. He has contributed verses of his own to the Poems and Pints evenings at The Angel. The document below was first written down in 1994, as an effort at recording the exploits of the Glemsford Auxiliary Fire Service during the Second World War. It is all Roy's own work; it has been transcribed and adapted for this medium. A Young Man's War by Roy Porter

An account of a teenage lamplighter in sudbury following world war one. The Young Sudbury Lamplighter You are here: Home: People & Memories: The Lamplighter A fascinating account of a teenage Lamplighter in Sudbury just after the Great War. by George Boreham. Foreward by Steve Scott My uncle, George Boreham, was born at Glemsford on 10 October 1904, son of Charles and Eliza (they were at Brook St 1901). He left c.1925 to live in Halifax, Yorkshire and in 1928 moved to Keswick, Cumberland where in 1931 he married my Grandmother's sister, Elsie Robinson. He was a great story teller and never lost his Suffolk accent, some of his stories he wrote in a note book, and I thought you might be interested in this one, it is as written by him. He continued to work as a gas fitter until his last few year when he was sexton of St John's Church, Keswick where he is now buried. The Lamplighter The First World War was over and I was fifteen. I had served two years of my seven year apprenticeship with the Sudbury Gas Company. The air was pregnant with the expectancy of things what’s (sic) going to happen now that peace had come. The better place for heroes was being launched and the town’s progressive group were demanding that the street lamps should be lit: their slogan was “the Zeppelins are gone, don’t keep us in the dark any longer ". The two fitters and myself at the gas works felt the impact of this demand as we were urged by the boss to overhaul all the street lanterns and public lighting equipment as quickly as possible. This urgency was exciting for me we had laid low during the war and veiled everything from the Zeppelins, and now suddenly we had become important, now we could make light, as much as possible and as quickly as possible. I worked with enthusiasm caught up with the land fit for heroes to live in. It was hard work as the four years of neglect to the lanterns was not to be put right in 3 or 4 weeks and besides the old pre-war naked light were (sic) to be replaced by the new incandescent mantle burners; the heroes were not to have died in vain! Although we were in a hurry, the progressives were in a (sic) even bigger hurry to have the streets lighted, as I was cycling home from work one evening I saw a motor car going slowly up the street, stopping at each lamp post, on top of the car was a coffin with two hooded figures sat astride, as they stopped at a lamp post one of the figure bent down and from the coffin brought out a little lighted Chinese lantern which they hung on the lamp post - these lanterns were all different colours and looking back down the street the effect was picturesque and fairy like . I did think them very daring and cheeky to hang them on our lamp posts, what would Grimwood our boss at the gasworks say? This was the first public protest I had seen, a new way to get things done, “the war had liberated the slaves ". Next morning at the gasworks was all hustle and bustle, my mate told me to get the big handcart and fix the lantern rack onto it, it held a dozen lanterns, we were to get some Lamps ready for lighting that week-end. The hand cart was loaded with a dozen repaired lanterns, dozen new mantles and burners, ladders and tools for the job. What a load it was, typical of those days if it could be loaded on a cart then a man could pull it. By the end of the week the first lamps were ready; these were the ones on the outer edge of town, crossroads and market square. It had been a busy week and I was glad when Saturday came with its half day off work. My enthusiasm had been sorely tested by the hectic week with the lamps so as I entered the workshop on Saturday morning my mind was pleasantly occupied with thoughts of freedom to do what I liked, I was suddenly brought down to earth when as soon as I stepped inside the workshop my mate said “The boss wants to see you”. "What does he want to see me for?" "You’ve got to light them lamps tonight." "What me, light them lamps?" "Yes, you lights them about half past four and puts them out starting at ten o’clock." "What? Ten o’clock at night!" "You’re not afraid of the dark are you?" "No I’m not afraid of the dark." "Well that’s settled then, you tell the boss you’ll light them lamps and you’re not afraid of the dark, any way you’re the only one who knows where they all are and you’ll get paid extra." So at the age of fifteen I was the first Sudbury lamp lighter after the First World War, I did this for the whole of that winter but by the next winter with many more lamps lit they employed a full time lamp lighter. This was one job I was not sorry to lose as I was often afraid when I put out the friendly gleam and left myself in the dark and isolation on the edges of town, and especially on Saturday nights when the pubs were turning out, the drunks would stand arguing and brawling round the lamps you can imagine the reception I got when turned up to put the light out!

An account of a day in May 2000 by local glemsford residents The Morris Men of Little Egypt. A short history of the last 25 years by Neville Parry You are here: Home: People & Memories: The Morris Men of Little Egypt. The side (Morris teams are called sides) was first formed in June 1988. The then Rector at St Mary’s Church – Adrian Mason – wanted some Morris dancers at the Church Fete, which was always held in the Rectory gardens back then. He couldn't locate a Morris side (at least not a side he could afford!) and so a request went out via members of the fete committee for volunteers to form a Glemsford Morris side as a one-off for the fete. Frederick Sanders (who then lived at Five Gables Cottage on Plum St) heard the cry for help and was an ex-dancer and musician with Belchamp Morris Men. He enlisted the help of John Aldous, who also lived (and still does) in the village and was also an ex-member of Belchamp Morris. News spread by word of mouth and the likes of Peter Ford, Paul Jaques, David Irvine, Steve Clarke, Derek Richards and Chris Britton were recruited from the village. I had just moved to Glemsford in January 1988 and knew Frederick through work and I was also persuaded to join. We practised for a few weeks in the Church Hall and managed, eventually, to learn four dances in time for the Church Fete. Our wives managed to produce some make-shift regalia, Bell Pads, Baldrics etc and we all purchased white decorators trousers and white shirts and we were ready for the big day. We danced our three dances (twice each I recall) and with accompaniment from Frederick on Melodeon received a tremendous reception from the gathered hordes at the fete – mostly partners and friends of the dancers who couldn't wait to heckle from the sidelines and watch us strut our stuff. And that was it; we disbanded after several well-earned pints at the Black Lion. Then, early in 1992 we were approached again by the organising committee of the Church Fete and asked if we would like to do a repeat performance for that year's Fete. I recall we were enticed with the promise of free beer, and so it was that most of the men, together with some new ‘volunteers’ got back together for another one-off performance at the Church Fete on 11th July. We danced at both the Church and at the Black Lion. I can also recall that the Rector, Adrian, turned up dressed as a ‘Hobby Horse’ (although that may have been the next year! He was certainly a very good sport) This time after the Fete was over, and we were reflecting upon our glorious performance over several more pints in the Black Lion, someone had the bright idea of keeping the side going and it just seemed like a good idea at the time! So that was it. The side was named The Morris Men of Little Egypt*, new uniforms were created and I was elected Squire – a position that I have been privileged to hold for the past 25 years. Initially we had a rule that the side was to comprise only of men who lived within the Parish of Glemsford. This was maintained until we started to struggle with getting musicians and dancers. The rule was then relaxed to allow musicians from outside the parish and then dancers. We still uphold the tradition of a ‘Men Only’ Morris side but we do have (and are very thankful for) lady musicians. We now have members that regularly travel from all over Suffolk, Norfolk, Essex as well as France and Belgium to dance with us – such is the appeal of our side. We have danced all over England and had numerous trips to Europe,notably Germany, France and Ireland where we have always been extremely well received by the unsuspecting locals. In the summer months commencing at dawn on 1st May we wear our original ‘Cotswold’ kit – white trousers, shirts, rush hats and Baldrics. After October and through to 30th April we wear our ‘Horkey’ kit which comprises loosely of 19th century agricultural wear – collarless shirts, boots and heavy trousers. The styles of dances that we perform draw heavily from the Cotswold and Welsh Border traditions but over the years we have also developed our own unique style of Morris – with some dances that we have made ourselves from scratch – most celebrate the bucolic nature of our village heritage. The Morris sticks that we use in our dances, the longest of any Morris side, are winter-cut hazel which we take from a secret coppice within the Parish boundary. Our white handkerchiefs are woven from the finest Irish linen and are always perfumed with lavender and essential oils. Our summer months are filled with dancing at pubs, fetes, festivals and events, but we also dance during the winter period at selected events, notably on Boxing Day at the Angel Inn which has now become a staple of Glemsford village life. This is also the occasion when we unleash our traditional Mummers Play on an unsuspecting audience. Based around the age old struggle of good against evil, we now weave in appropriate tales and anecdotes from the year in our village. If anyone is interested in joining us, you can contact us by email at: littleegyptmorris@gmail.com We practice most Tuesdays at the Methodist Church Hall, followed by a ‘theory session’ at the Angel Inn with refreshment after the rigorous practice session! Neville Parry, Squire, The Morris Men of Little Egypt *I am sure that some of you will already know the origin of the colloquial name for Glemsford but if you have a spare hour, and for a couple of pints, any member of the side will tell you how the name ‘Little Egypt’ came about!

Pearman family of Glemsford Pearman Family You are here: Home: People & Memories: Families: Pearmans Rita Burgess has been researching her family for a very long time. She was one of the speakers in the early days of the Local History Society when she gave a talk about her relative, Rifleman Byford, which may have inspired many of those present to get out and look for their roots, too. Apart from her work on Rifleman Byford, Rita has also focused on the Pearman and Hempstead families. In 2005/6 she kindly provided more material for the site. Her early researches put her in contact with Richard Deeks. Richard deserves, in many ways, the title of "The Father of Glemsford's History". Without his efforts (originally inspired by his own family researches) it is unlikely that much of the Village's history would have been properly recorded. Certainly much of what is now known would have been left to rest in the Local Records Office, just occasionally pored over by an enthusiast or two. That, or the story would have been left in the hands of well-meaning but inherently inaccurate legends, lovingly but deceptively recorded as fact by dewy-eyed romantics. Two of Richard's works stand out for attention: "The Matmaker and The Magistrate" gives a detailed insight into social and labour conditions in our part of Suffolk in the middle and late 19th Century. "Glorious Glemsford" is engagingly simple, bringing together of vibrant pictures of the Village's past. And, of course, Richard was the driving force behind the creation of the Local History Society. In her piecing together of the Pearman family's past, Rita was helped by Richard in her organisation of a family gathering. The notes, reproduced here, are part of Richard's contribution. They reflect his attention to detail and his very humanity, his insistence on seeing people as people, and valuable contibutors to our present, regardless of their background. The History of the Susan Pearman Cup By Richard Deeks 1989 This magnificent silver cup is unique, or perhaps more appropriately, its history is remarkable. It is elegantly shaped, with a large bowl mounted on a stem with a rounded foot and 2 handles made of pure silver, weighing 20 oz and quite valuable. It is competed for annually by villagers entering garden produce in the Glemsford Flower Show and won for the first time in 1936 by Mr Pawsey of Egremont Street, Glemsford. The cup was donated by Mrs Sarah Ellie of Richmond, Surrey, to commemorate her remarkable grandmother Susan Pearman; not only was she a mother and housewife, silk weaver and a member of the Providence Chapel on Hunts Hill, she was also a midwife and had attended over 3000 births in the area. That must be a pretty good record for any individual during the last half of the 19th century and early 20th. Susan Pearman was born Susan Brown, daughter of Hannah and Thomas Brown on 17th August 1817 in Hunts Hill Glemsford, and after working as a silk weaver she went on to weave velvet by handloom. She married William Hempstead Pearman (also born 1817) on 25 November 1837 and had 7 children in all, one being illegitimate. In the 1851 Census, Susan Pearman is living with her parents and one sister, Christiana, and her baseborn daughter Ellen. William Pearman was a remarkable man. He had had 2 minor convictions for theft but in 1841 was convicted of receiving stolen pigs from a Sudbury landowner and sentenced to 14 years transportation to Tasmania. However, he did return to England after 12 years, spending some time after his release from Tasmania at the goldfields at Ballarat, Victoria, Australia. On returning to Glemsford a wealthy man, he purchased land and a shop on Hunts Hill. When he learned of Ellen, Susan’s baseborn daughter born whilst he was away in Australia, he said “You broke a cup, I broke a saucer, we’ll call it quits”. William and Susan continued to live and prosper in Glemsford, him as a blacksmith, she running the pork butcher’s shop, alongside her work as a midwife. William died on 18th February 1897 aged 80, Susan died 11th December 1903 aged 86 years. They are both buried in the same grave in the east end of Glemsford churchyard where their memorial headstone was recently discovered under bramble bushes. So here, with the Pearman Cup, is a continuous reminder of man’s inhumanity to man – those who survived transportation had a very tough time, also it is very rare for a transportee to return home to England. And, some of the descendants of both Susan and William still live in this area, both Browns and Pearmans. This short story illuminates just a corner of our village heritage, which I believe needs to be revealed so that we may live in a more considerate world. Stealing Sheep (quoted with permission) from Sue Cain: My Grandma recently told me of an ancestor who was called William Hempstead who was transported to Tasmania after being convicted of stealing a sheep. He was also 23. I thought I'd do a search on the Internet and found your page. My family are from Feltham, which ties in with [the] Great Grandfather who taught matmaking. She said that William's wife divorced him for 3/6 after 7 years but she did say that he was given permission to move around the colony and he did become a wealthy man before returning to England when he was 60 and buying property. Although there are slight differences between the details your site & my Grandma's story, there are a lot of striking similarities (my Grandma is in her 80's & the story has been passed down from a few different people I believe so I imagine there have been some confusions here and there - nothing has been written down). I was wondering if you had any more family history details. My Grandma hasn't said which side of her parents family that William was related to but her surname is Cain , her father was 'Holland' and her mother's maiden name was 'Francis' and they were from Sunbury. There are some intriguing similarities here, but also the sort of differences which make the interpretation of the past so constantly fascinating. Despite what Richard had to say, at the time of the 1861 Census, Ellen Pearman, the "baseborn" child of the transportation, was living with her Hempstead grandparents. Needless to say, Rita and Sue are in contact with each other and, yes, it is the same family!

An account of a day in May 2000 by local glemsford residents One day in May 2000 You are here: Home: People & Memories: One day in May 2000 Various local residents give an account of their day on any day in May 2000 to mark the arrival of the new millenium. One day in May 2000

Glemsford Local History Society promotes the history of the village and is dedicated to the study and distribution of the details of Glemsfords' Past. About Us You are here: Home : About Us Glemsford Local History Society promotes the history of the village and keeps a resource of all the information gathered. Over the years, this site has been added to by the efforts of many individuals, all contributing to a growing picture of the history of this fascinating village. Our Background The Society has been active for many years now, and is dedicated to the study and distribution of the details of Glemsford's past. A lot of the information on this website was carried out by Steve Clarke, who has given permission for its continued use. We are greatly indebted to him for his much appreciated input. Without it, this site would not exist. Our Aims We aim to encourage the better understanding of the past and present through such activities as lectures, activities, visits and research. We meet every second Thursday of the month in Glemsford Primary School at 7.30pm. We welcome your continued support and that of others. Contribute Has your family lived here for generations? Maybe you have inherited some old photographs. The Society always welcomes new members or stories of the past. If you think you have any interesting anecdotes or facts about Glemsford, why not get in touch . We would love to hear from you.