Glemsford
2 open pubs
2 open pubsIntroduction
Glemsford is a large hilltop village, which has the feel of a small industrial town. It's made up of mainly modern housing and a few buildings of more note. The village was recorded in Domesday as "Clamesforda" or "Clamesford". Until the 1940s, it was the smallest Urban District Council in the country. It's been suggested that it may originally be an Iberian settlement. The village is sometimes known as "Little Egypt".
Glemsford appears on John Speed's 1610 map as "Glemysforde".
The village reputedly used to have 14 pubs, though in 1905 there were 11:
At Long Melford licensing sessions the chairman said to a Glemsford licence holder" I see there are eleven places in Glemsford, its nearly enough" the licensee said "could do with one or two more" (laughter).Haverhill Echo**, February 11th 1905
It is recorded that when the Greyhound closed in 1907 a coffin was ceremonially carried to the churchyard after closing time and "free beer was liberally consumed".
The Kings Head at Fenstead End may also be historically be listed in Glemsford though it is now in Boxted.
In 1865 a horsehair processing factory was owned and run by H…
History
The 1844 White's Directory lists 2 beer houses run by John Andrews and Thomas Goody (also listed as a shopkeeper).
The 1851 census lists John Brockwell as a Brewer in Egremont Street, Head/Married/59/born Glemsford.
The 1855 White's Directory lists 2 beer houses run by Edward Byford (also listed as a thatcher) and Peter Golding.
The 1861 census lists:
Edward Byford, Thatcher & Beerhouse Keeper, Cavendish Road, Head/Married/59/born Glemsford.
Thos Goody, Farmer & Beerhouse Keeper, Beer House, Tye Green, Head/Married/53/born Glemsford.
The 1865 Kelly's Directory lists George Albon the Cherry Tree?, Ed…
Acknowledgements
Some historical information from English Heritage's National Monuments Record
** report reproduced with kind permission from Foxearth & District Local History Society
