Pakenham History : Pakenham-Village of Two Mills - NR Whitwell

In addition to the men of the village who gave their lives in the wars, commemorated by the War Memorial and the graves in the churchyard, there were many others who have, in various ways and walks in life, contributed to the life of the village.

At a meeting of the Borough of St. Edmundsbury Council, the chairman of the Housing committee rejected an appeal for more houses in Pakenham with these words: "It isn't everybody who wants to come and live in Pakenham". Maybe so, but over the centuries Pakenham has produced some very notable families and personalities, beginning of course with old Pacca who gave his name to the village. There were the members of the Iceni tribe, the Romans who built the triple ditched fort and constructed roads through the Parish. There was Osgot the son of Eadwolf and St. Edmund the cousin of King Edward the Confessor, who all held land in Pakenham up to the Survey and possibly after.

In the year 1100, Walter de Pakenham built the church. What a task this must have been. Who transported the stone and those great boulders that form the octagon tower and where did they come from anyway? Walter must have been a great devoted leader. Then followed the great family of the Pakenhams down the ages, until the Knights became Barons and Earls of Longford.

Around 1500, another great and distinguished family came to Pakenham Hall, headed by Thomas Spring, the rich clothier of Lavenham, with another branch of the family at Newe House. In this family alone were several Knights, High Sheriffs and Members of Parliament. In 1641, a younger Sir William Spring was created Baronet, High Sheriff and Member of Parliament for Bury St. Edmunds all in the same year. The family eventually ended in female issue.

In 1860, William Hardcastle owned Nether Hall and was one of the Members of Parliament for Bury St. Edmunds. He was followed by Edward Greene who purchased the Hall from him and he too became Member for Bury St. Edmunds. He was succeeded by his son Walter Greene, who was granted the Baronetcy promised to his father. Sir Walter lived at Nether Hall and he too represented Bury St. Edmunds at Westminster until 1905.

So you will have read that Pakenham has over the years returned no less than six illustrious names to Parliament - representing Bury St. Edmunds and Suffolk - numerous High Sheriffs and many other distinguished leaders in various callings.

We heard earlier of the Prince of Wales who became King Edward VII and his frequent shooting parties over Pakenham lands. The Parish was particularly pleased with the betrothal of the present Prince of Wales to Lady Diana Spencer because, by a remarkable coincidence, both their former junior school head teachers have retired to Pakenham, where they both are taking an active part in the community and village life - and no doubt exchanging notes about their former charges! Peter Beck was head of the Cheam school when Prince Charles was a pupil there and has now settled at Grimstone End. Along the same road, but nearer the village, lives Elizabeth Ridsdale who was head of Riddlesworth Hall near Diss, when Lady Diana Spencer attended.

For some, Pakenham in a very desirable place in which to reside.

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