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Ixworth
Introduction
Now by-passed, this large village has always been on an important route, centred at the crossing of several roads. It was an important Roman settlement and also had an Augustinian priory (founded 1170, dissolved 1537). Remains of the priory can be found incorporated into a house confusingly known as Ixworth Abbey. In the 1871 census, brewer Edward Greene (also MP and then aged 55) is listed as living at The Abbey. The High Street still has some fine timber framed houses.
The Pakenham Woolpack is sometimes historically listed in Ixworth - it actually stands closer to the main Ixworth settlement to that of Pakenham.
The Ixworth chicken, bred in the village during the 1930s, was for many years Britain's most important meat-producing breed. It was only superseded when factory chicken production took over the industry.
According to the Listed Buildings Register, Four pairs of houses on Stow Road are "understood to be the first rural council housing built in England, under the Housing of the Working Classes Act 1890, and surviving in little-altered condition…
History
The 1844 White's Directory lists Thos. M Howard. (Beerhouse Keeper, pub not named).
The 1844 White's Directory lists Charles Bantock (Beerhouse Keeper, pub not named).
The 1851 Census lists Charles Bantock (Beerhouse Keeper, High Street, pub not named, Head/Widower/91/born Ixworth).
The 1851 Census lists William Spurling (Innkeeper, High Street, pub not named, Head/Married/46/born Kenninghall, Norfolk).
The 1855 White's Directory lists Charles Bantick (Beerhouse Keeper, pub not named).
The 1869 Kelly's Directory lists Charles Sharpe as a beer retailer.
Acknowledgements
Some historical information from English Heritage's National Monuments Record.