Whereabouts

Needham Market was a hamlet of Barking. The Market charter was granted by Henry the 3rd and the market flourished until the plague struck in 1665. A market has never been held since, although the right to do so still exists.

To this day, Chain Bridge and Chain House Farm are reminders of the sacrifices made by the people of Needham Market to contain the plague. Chains were erected across the road at these points beyond which nobody crossed. Food was exchanged for money, the coins being sterilised in a vinegar and water mixture. Victims of the plague were buried in a mass grave just outside the village on a site which is now a housing estate. The ‘sick’ houses can still be seen in Crown Street, where the victims of the plague who did not die were sent to recover.

Priestly Road, Priestly Hill and nearby Priestly Wood are all reminders of the famous scientist Joseph Priestly who was minister of the local congregational Church in 1757.

In 1744 one of the first private banks in the country was founded by Samuel Alexander in Needham Market. A bank still stands on the site today.

One of the most historic buildings in Needham Market in the Church of St John the Baptist. Situated in the High Street, it is famous for its magnificent hammerbeam roof, said to be one of the finest examples in the country. The Church was probably a Chapel of ease or rest house for pilgrims on their way from Ipswich to the shrine of St Edmund, indeed the name of ‘Needham’ is thought to mean a place of refuge. Needham Market has outgrown its original boundaries and is surrounded by modern development.

Modern Needham Market is a growing and busy community with a good range of independent shops and small businesses, whilst the majority of the local population seeks employment out of the village, there has been an expanding development of light industry in recent times. The largest employers are probably The Mid Suffolk District Council.

Needham Lake is a popular tourist attraction with its natural beauty, wildlife, walks and leisure facilities. It is also a popular car-boot sale site and various other public events are held here throughout the year.

The local football club has put Needham Market ‘on the map’ in recent years as they have progressed rapidly through the ranks. The new ground ‘Bloomfields’ was named after local stalwart to the club for many years, Derek Bloomfield

SUFFOLK QUIZ

1) The Stow Lodge workhouse was in which village?

2) Hugh de Bigod built a castle in which historical place?

3) The Preaching Stone in Old Market Street is in which village?

4) Where in the County is the last working water mill?

5) Where is Cow Green and Canham Green?
LAST MONTH’S QUIZ ANSWERS:

1) Hadleigh

2) Mildenhall

3) D ebenham

4) Tattingstone

5) Earl Stonham