by Wickhambrook History Society
Sarah Doig’s talk to the society was about fires in Suffolk and as well as the well-known town conflagrations, we heard some quirky, lesser-known tales too.
Bury St Edmunds was devastated by fire, as was Haverhill, in the 16th century. When we saw pictures of leather buckets being passed by a human chain, it was easy to see how difficult fire-fighting was and before fire insurance was available the results were appalling. The king gave the people a right to appeal to the Crown via their local churches for charity donations.
The same king, Charles the Second, was caught up in a huge fire when he was staying in Newmarket. Half the town burned – houses, stables, workshops – but it was later suggested that the fire was set deliberately as plotters against the king were waiting for him in Hertfordshire on his return journey to London. Maybe Charles himself used this as a delaying tactic when he got wind of the plot? We will never know!
In more modern times, Suffragettes Evaline Burkitt and Florence Tunks set fire to a hotel in Felixstowe as a protest, after choosing the winter of 1914 when the hotel was closed so as not to endanger life.
Other aspects of fire – dragons in Bures and dragon fights on the Essex /Suffolk border as well as the fire and brimstone of Black Shuck, spontaneous human combustion and the Swing Riots when haystacks were torched – were explained by Sarah to an attentive audience. Who would have guessed that peaceful Suffolk was once such an exciting place!
Our November meeting, on Tuesday 19th November is ‘Father Christmas, Myths and Misteltoe’ with Mike Wabe. All welcome. More information can be obtained from the secretary (01440 820052) or the village website, wickhambrook.org