Mr. Bourne was elected Clerk with a sum of £3
to be added to his salary as overseer in consideration
of his additional services. Mr. Cross and F. Mathews
were appointed Trustees of the Parochial Charities
in place of the Churchwardens.
It was decided that future meetings should be held
in the Trustees room, the Council paying rent of
1/- per annum. The minutes read: "A desultory
conversation took place with respect to the Parochial
Charities but no resolution was passed".
At a meeting held on Monday March 11th 1895. The
Revd. C.W. Jones was invited to submit the original
Charity documents, both Ecclesiastical and non-Ecclesiastical,
some of which went back several hundred years.
The oldest record of Town Estate Charity was that
of 1539 which was left to meet any subsidy, tax and
so forth. Among its articles it set forth that no
foreigner should profit from it unless his wife held
property, land etc. in the Parish in her own right.
In the reign of George II the poor are mentioned
for the first time. The bequest set forth that the
first charge upon the Estate was to the fabric of
the Church; secondly, Common or Town charges and
lastly the poor. This has since been divided by the
Charity Commissioners into three equal portions,
a third to Church expenses, a third to the School,
the remaining third to the poor.
At the Annual meeting in 1896 there appeared to
be an election of Parish Councillors after only two
years in office. Three overseers were appointed in
F. Mathews, G.R. Burt and G. Weston. The Highway
Surveyors were elected: Mr. Eastlea as surveyor of
the turnpike end of the Parish and Mr., Fordham as
surveyor for the Street end of the Parish, Mr. Bourne
was reappointed Collector of Highway Rates at the
salary of £5 per annum.
It appears from the records that an election of
Parish Councillors was an annual exercise.
Items dealt with by the Council at their quarterly
meetings included the appointing of overseers and
surveyors of highways (who were empowered to appoint
a collector of highway rates), the compounding for
cottage property at a discount, repairs to the Watermill
bridge and consultations with the Captain of the
Bury St. Edmunds Fire Brigade regarding the hire
of the fire engines in case of fire (one wonders
how long it took them to get to Pakenham!). There
was a question of collection and delivery of mail
at Grimstone End by re-routing the mailman, who left
Ixworth at 7.00 p.m. instead of collecting at 1.45
p.m.
The Deputy Clerk of the County Council requested "that
a proper metal receptacle with lock or fireproof
safe be provided for safe custody of the books, papers,
allied documents under the control of the Parish
Council". The present day tin box was purchased
for £2.2.6 in 1899 as a result. Reference is
also made to supporting the Mid-Anglian Light Railway,
believing it would benefit the greater part of the
district through which it would pass.
At the March 1902 meeting on behalf of the parishioners
the Parish Council accepted the gift from Sir Walter
Green of the Pump in the Street. This is to be put
in good working order for use by parishioners and
to be enclosed by an iron fence to prevent nuisances,
costing £6.5.0. The notice above read as follows:
"This pump was presented to the Parish in
1891 by
Sir E. Walter Greene Bt. M.P. and was taken over and
fenced by the Parish Council etc."
There were Coronation festivities for H.M. King
Edward VII in this year also.
In 1907 we see the first change in the Chairmanship
of the Parish Council. Mr. Henry Cross was elected
Chairman in 1894 at the first Parish Council meeting
and retired in 1907, working an unbroken period of
service of thirteen years with only one absence due
to illness. Upon his removal to Ixworth he could
no longer serve the Parish. The Revd. E.S. Burgess
became the next Chairman and served for eleven years.
In 1909 there was considerable dissatisfaction of
the assessments especially in the case of the larger
holdings and the shooting that was let apart from
the land was not assessed. In 1912 the death of Edith,
Lady Compton-Thornhill, at the Lodge was deeply mourned. "She
identified herself through many years with all that
made for the betterment of the Parish etc.".
In the minutes of the Parish Council of March 17th
1913 the following resolution is recorded:
"This Council desires to place the deep
regret at the loss which it and the whole Parish
has sustained by the death of Mr. H.C. Bridges
of Red Castle Farm. The name of Harry Bridges was
a household word and stood for all that was true,
manly and straightforward. All that concerned the
best interests of the village of which he was a
native dear to him and he worked patiently and
thoroughly through many years to promote this both
in the Parish and on the District Council. The
poor always found in him a kind and considerate
friend."
There was no change at the elections in 1910 or
1913. During the Great War period no business took
place, other than dealing with the accounts and r=the
appointing of overseers at the Annual Parish meetings.
Possibly work had the be left undone during these
years and although no mention is made of the War,
complaints about the bad state of the Fen Road and
the choking up of the river by weeds and mud prevented
any flow, causing stagnation and general deterioration.
Councillor H.J. Oxborrow became Chairman in 1918
and Councillor K.J. Rodwell in 1919. In 1920 Councillor
A.J. Cansdale became Chairman until 1922, when Col.
H. Cooper CMG took over for the next six years.
The footpaths alongside the Street were the subject
of much concern, being badly broken and in a bad
state of repair. The water supply also came in for
criticism and the Council were advised to repair
the pump near The Fox Inn, when samples would be
taken for analysis. Another nuisance was caused by
bad sanitary arrangements at Newe House, which were
injurious to health. The bad state of many cottages
also brought representations.
In the Street, at the Grimstone End, on the Bury
Road, the falling masonry was dangerous; the ditch
opposite The Fox and behind the cottages was complained
about; the state of the hedges near the Bunbury Arms,
snow blocking traffic through the village and Fen
Road and numerous other complaints continued to be
brought before the Council. In this aspect things
have not changed.
The Parish Pits
Chalk Pit - near the Bunbury Arms on the
A143
Stone Pit - situated on Mr. Egle's farm
in the midst of a game preserve in Gravel Pit Wood
Clay Pit - adjoining Mr. Outlaw's property
by Stowlangtoft beneath Hamlin House Hotel.
These pits had been used for the extraction of building
materials and upkeep of the highways. Permission
for extraction was granted to the Surveyor of Highways
within Pakenham Parish by the Pakenham Enclosure
Awards of August 1802. Sand, gravel and clay was
extracted for the use of the inhabitants of the said
Parish under the provisions of the Union and Parish
Property Act, 1835. Now they were unused, it was
decided under the Exhausted Parish Lands Act 1876
to sell them.
It took from 1899 to 1905 to finally dispose of
them:
The Chalk Pit to Mr. Rowland H. Wilson for £25
The Stone Pit to Mr. A.M. Wilson for £40
The Clay Pit to Mr. Outlaw for £5
Ixworth Parish Clerk suggested that Pakenham should
contribute £1 towards the reorganisation and
upkeep of their Fire Brigade. Councillor Hitchcock,
in proposing the subscription, suggested their scheme
might be expanded and become even more efficient
by the purchase of a modern steam fire engine.
It was in 1923 that Mr. Albert E. Moore was appointed
assistant overseer and clerk, at the salary of £22.10.0
per annum. He was schoolmaster at the village school
and his beautiful handwriting makes the reading of
the minutes so much easier and more pleasant. He
remained clerk for twenty six years until 31st March,
1949.
Parish
Refuse Pit 1925
"Dry refuse to be shot here". So read notices placed at a pit on Grimstone
Road in Bull Road. The Council agreed to pay a rental of 1/- per annum for each
pit. The cost of these boards amounted to 9/6d and was sent to Mr. Pierce.
The Parish Documents
At this time these comprise:
Minute Book of Parish Council Proceedings
Minute Book of Parish Meeting Proceedings
Receipt and Payment Book
Book of Precepts upon Overseers
Property of Overseers
One Tin Box with two keys
Ordnance Map 25" to 1 mile - Parish of Pakenham in 4 sheets
Valuation List of Parish
Collectors' Monthly Statement Book
Collectors' Receipt and Payment Book
Book of Notice of Poor Rate Forms
Collecting and Deposit Book
Poor Rate Discount Tables Book
Col. Harry Cooper, CMG, JP, had been Chairman of
the Parish Council for six years. In 1928, owing
to prolonged illness, he had to resign and he died
later that year. The same year another respected
Councillor, G.W. Howes, died. Councillor W.C. Hitchcock
became Chairman for five years until his death in
1933. The new Council elected in March, 1928 was:-
Arthur Bishop; Harry Bridges; Sidney John Bryant;
Frank William Catton; Walter Cooper Hitchcock; George
William Rayner; Harry Sulton Tipple.
In 1931, the two new Councillors elected were Benjamin
James Popay and Percy Wilfred Dash.
In 1933, the Revd. B.A. Browning MA addressed a
letter to the Parish Council on the need for increased
housing accommodation in the Parish. This letter
was also signed by Col. Parry Crooke CMG, JP, Major
L.H. Bazalgette, Mrs. Cooper, Messrs. Harold Martin
JP, John Carter and D.W.P. Gough.
The letter gave instances of houses in extremely
dilapidated condition and even if these were reconditioned
there would be insufficient housing for the people.
A request was made for the authorities to erect new
houses on:
1 - The fruit field situated opposite to the Kennels (Upper Town crossroads)
2 - The field situated where Bull Road and Grimstone Road meet
3 - The field situated on the right near Bailey Pool.
But the District Council replied saying they were considering purchasing
half an acre of the Church Glebe on which to erect four new cottages.
The Parish Council said this would be quite inadequate to meet the needs
of the Parish and requested a larger number.
The water supply in the village gave cause for concern
in 1934. Samples from the pump in the Street were
analysed and found wholesome, however, and the water
declared fit for drinking purposes. Meanwhile Councillor
H. Bridges reported that he had inspected the wells
of the Parish with a member of Thingoe RDC, who subsequently
reported that with the exception of the well on Church
Hill, where the water was very low, the water supply
in the village was satisfactory.
Water supply, sewage and housing were all to play
a very important part in the future, as we shall
read later.
It was in this year also that electricity first
came to the village. When the East Anglian Electrical
Supply Company Ltd. put forward a plan for poles
and overhead mains which they proposed for the distribution
of electric power, the charge for three 100 watt
lamps for lighting the Street was £13.11.0
per annum.
It is also interesting to read that the amount of
money the Parish Council would require to precept
on the District Council for the year 1936 amounted
to £10. In 1981 it was £850!
At the Annual Meeting of the Parish Council on 19th
April 1935, Councillor Harry Bridges declined a proposal
to be elected Chairman and the election went to Councillor
D.W.P. Gough. It was reported that Mr. Victor Tipple
had been engaged at a salary of £4.10.0 per
annum to dig the hole for the refuse pit, to extend
it when necessary and to keep it tidy and in order.
This was a piece of land near the butcher's shop,
alongside Bull Road. The Council was pleased to hear
that repairs to the bridge over the river leading
from the Fen Road to the allotments had been satisfactorily
carried out, but this did not last long because the
next year flood damage caused shifting to the bridge
and loosening of several boards.
The local authority stated that the whole of Thingoe
Rural District was to be rated and Messrs. Bridges
and Marriage would be the Parish representatives.
For the first time we hear of the proposal to conduct
a Refuse Collection Service. Initially the Parish
Council showed little interest as they replied "we
already have our own scheme" but later showed
more interest in the cost of a house to house collection,
because of the scattered nature of the Parish.
We were informed that Army manoeuvres would be held
in the vicinity for three months, commencing July,
1938.
Towards the end of 1938, the Parish heard with dismay
that Thingoe RDC intended building houses for Pakenham
people at Ixworth. The Parish called two special
meetings to frame the strongest protest, secondly
to forward alternative sites for building within
the Parish. The protest was signed by one hundred
and sixteen householders, supported by the Parochial
Church Council and by letters to the Ministry of
Health and our local Member of Parliament. The Parish
Council considered it unfair and unreasonable for
parishioners whose houses were demolished to be removed
from their own Parish, where the majority were employed
and had family roots, especially as there was plenty
of suitable land available at cheaper rates than
in Ixworth. "Houses for Pakenham people should
be built in Pakenham". The provision of new
Council houses was urgently pursued.
The village pump was reported to be beyond repair
and an estimate for a new pump was sought. Complaints
were received of damage to the pump by school children
and the teachers had been consulted.
The cost of the new pump was £7.14.0. Later,
boys dropped stones in the well and further damage
was reported. Further repairs, too: 11/6d paid.
The 1940 meetings dealt with emergencies, the collection
of scrap and waste paper, organisation of fire watchers,
provision of sand to all houses, the Ministry of
Agriculture Grow More Food campaign and the
St. Dunstans War Fund organiser. The Parish (Invasion)
Committee letter was read but the Parish decided
it had no policy on the possible invasion of England!
Later a special meeting was called to consider and
exchange views on this very possibility. Because
of the lack of any powers to act, no meetings had
been held previously. The need for being prepared
was now stressed and particulars were given on food
rationing and distribution. First Aid Posts were
earmarked and the Home Guard Station would be Bailey
Pool bridge. The School would continue as usual until
the Church bells rang, emergency rations would be
stored at the vicarage and at Mr. Peck's on Mill
Road. Psychologically at least, the Parish was evidently
preparing itself.
It was in 1943 that the District Council undertook
to dispose of all the household refuse in the district,
but owing to water shortage the Council's vehicles
were engaged in water carting, instead of refuse
removal. Meanwhile, refuse was being dumped just
anywhere. There was an unsightly heap at the top
of the Street and the Dell was also being used for
rubbish dumping. But by 1946 the District Council
began clearing the rubbish dumps and their regular
collection scheme was to begin in the month of April
1946.
In 1947 it was learnt that a decision had been made
to build forty houses on the allotments field, setting
aside about four acres for a recreation ground!
In early 1949, notification was received that the
village hall should now be adapted to suit the needs
of the authorities, in order that school dinners
for the children could be held.
The school was opposite the vicarage and the village
hall stood where the car park is now situated alongside
Mr. Game's back entrance. This was an old army hut
of First World War vintage. The floor was wooden
and all shapes, as indeed was the roof. How this
old hut withstood so much thumping and general use
for so long was surprising. Now the latest onslaught:
school dinners!
On March 31st, 1949, upon the retirement of the
Clerk, Mr. Ken Heeps was appointed to fill his place
at a salary of £7 per annum.
The Parish Council in those days only required the
sum of £10 from the District Council to run
the affairs of the village.
It was about this time the District Council acquired
a large field of about fifteen acres behind the Dell
for house building. When the design was approved,
it became apparent there would be enough to accommodate
allotments and also about four acres for a playing
field, all in all an ideal position leading off the
new housing estate and the new school site.
All three schemes got under way and building started.
Meanwhile, the District Council negotiated purchase
of the four acres of playing fields in the name of
Pakenham Playing Field Association, whose trustees
were:- |
