The Parish Magazine for Prickwillow was called The Gospeller and this page refers to various issues between May 1885 and December 1896. The cover of the magazine started life as the picture, left, below, depicts and ended up as the picture, right, below, depicts.

May 1885

Mile End Drove

On March 25th Mr H. Long presented a memorial numerously signed by tradespeople and others in the parishes of Holy rinity and Prickwillow, praying the Board to make the part of the Mile End Drove situate in Prickwillow a hard road. He said "it must be patenet to everybody that it was highly desirable that this important link between the Mildenhall Road turnpike and Littleport Road, and the turnpike of Holy Trinity and Prickwillow, should be made a good road. At present it was positively dangerous. He therefore moved that the Board receive the memorial favourably." After considerable discussion with regard to the legality of the proposition, Mr. Long withdrew his resolution, which had been seconded by Mr. Frohock, in favour of Mr. H. Archer's amendment "that the matter be referred to a Committee, who should consult with the road surveyors of the several parishes before sending its report," which was adopted unanimously.

July 1885

CRICKET SUPPER

May 5th was the evening fixed by the Cricket Club for their annual supper. Aftersome practice in the field, the mebers, 28 in number, adjourned to the room at Ely Corner. The approach to this room is now from the outside, the middle window has been turned into a door, and wooden steps leads up to it, the cost of the whole work is £2 8s. In this room a most sumptuous repast was served at one shilling per member. Our thanks are due to many kind friends who gave very substantial contributions to the supper: to Mr. Hamey, who gave a pork leg, to Mrs. Long, Mrs. Tuddenham, Mrs. Ayres, and J. Pratt, Esq., for plum puddings and jam tarts. The tables were most tatsefully laid out, and supper began about 7.30 p.m. Ample justice to the good things was done by all. After supper, the Captain, who was in the chair, proposed the health of the Queen, which was drunk with enthusiasm and musical honours. The Vicar in a happy speech responded to the second toast, the health of the Prince and the Prince of Wales, and the Royal Family. The next toast was "Success to Prickwillow Club", which was responded to by Mr. LOng, who said that every cricketer should make up his mind to win wherever he goes, to strive hard for the first prize, but if he could not get first , not to be downhearted, he could anyhow come in second best! Mr. Long then proposed the health of the Vicar, who suitably acknowledged the toast. Mr. E. J. Edwards proposed the health of the Captain, who instead of a speech sang the "Cricketer's Song", and then songs and coffee were the order of the evening. Some capital songs were sung with good ringing choruses, Messrs. J. Hamey, jun., W. Smith, T.Cross, H. Ayres, T. Palmer, and others, and the company broke up shortly after eleven o'clock. On the following eveing a second supper was given to some members who were unable to come on the Tuesday, at which 18 members sat down.

CRICKET

On May 27th a cricket match was played at Prickwillow against Witcham, on the ground of the latter. The scores were Prickwillow, 41, to which Mr. A. G. Edwards contributed 12. Witcham 48, including 12 from H. Saberton, and 10 from H. Leach, (commonly called "Merry-legs!"). In the 2nd Innings Prickwillow made 45, Mr. J. Saberton scoring 13, and Rev. C.D. Kingdon 10 (not out). Witcham, Second Innings, 42 with the loss of 6 wickets. Thus Witcham won the match by 4 wickets.

Oct, 1885

Baptism - Oct 11, George Thomas Pearce

Marriages - Oct 10, John Cross to Betsy Watson; Oct. 17 -, Harry Palmer to Joanna Taylor; Willie Rolph to Susan Hephzibah Covell

Funerals - Oct 26, Mary Porter Hall, aged 52 years; Oct 28, Helen Elizabeth Pratt, aged 12 months.

January, 1891

Baptisms - Oct 17th (1890), Albert Seakins; Nov 21st, Georgina Sparrow, William Sparrow; Nov 30th, Blanche Beatrice Canham (First Baptism in the new Church of St. James'). Dec 23rd, Mabel Hollian Bidwell; Dec 26th, Thomas George Wright; Dec 29th, Clara Evans.

Funerals - Nov 28th, John William Hammond; Dec 22nd, Ann Cooper, aged 85 years; Dec 27th, Alice Pearce, aged 2 years.

....A new stove has lately been purchased and placed in the Parish Church, a want which has been felt for some time, and it would be a great improvment if all the old stoves were replaced by others of a similar pattern to the new one, especially if we are likely to have much more of this very cold weather.

March, 1891

We are very sorry to have lost the services of Police Constable King, who has for the last siz years kept peace in our parish, being respected by all and feared by some. Mr. King has moved to Ely, where we wish him every success, and hope he will visit his old friends at Prickwillow now and again. His post has been taken by Mr. Elsey.

Return to Prickwillow Page

Comments and Other Information

Last Updated on: 23 January 2000
For comments about this webpage, please email Martin Edwards.
©1999. EnglandGenWeb and WorldGenWeb Project.