Letters to the Editors
Don Flack's Grave
Dear Editors,
On a recent visit to my father's grave (Don Flack) it was noticed that the cross at the bottom of his grave has disappeared. My son took time and trouble to make this and engraved dad's name on it also.
Has anyone any idea where it has gone? Is someone making a habit of taking crosses off graves for some reason or another? What use would it be to them? If you know of anyone who likes to spend their time in the churchyard taking items off people's graves then I would like to know! Surely there are better things to do with their time in the village!!
If they are reading this then could they please return it either to my address or put it back on my father's grave.
Thank you.
The History of the Village Allotment Lands
Dear Editors,
At 90 years of age and having spent my life in Swaffham Prior I feel that I am in a position to shed some light on the history of our village. The allotment lands are part of our history. They were awarded to various houses in the village under the Enclosure Act of 1814. Approach from the Burwell Road in S.E. direction towards the old Smock Mill. In lieu of grazing rights, the enclosure awards and the associate maps show that in:
- 1814 Map no Windmill or House
- 1887 Map House and Windmill present
- 1902 Map The Road not allocated to any individual. Cambridgeshire Sheet XL17 Second Edition, Eastern or Newmarket Division. The Map of 1902 shows all the land owners by colours. Anything that is white is not owned by anyone, this included Mill Lane, called a road. Coopers Lane is marked in the same way.
Copies of award QRDZF Swaffham Prior 359, page 373, Road S.E. direction between divers small allotments to an allotment belonging to E. Anderson Stephens Esq. Set out and available for the use of all the owners and occupiers of lands and tenants in Swaffham Prior aforesaid having occasion to use the same. Access to land should be uninterrupted access.
Land Value Book 1909/10 Act 1910 Book 470/015 - 787 Parcel of Land shown to belong to Burt Day. There is also mention of the up keep of the road. This should be divided up according to the amount of land owned by an individual, not in equal parts.
Unless anyone has any other more recent information than this I think we must assume that Mill Lane is a private road with uninterrupted access for the use of all owners and tenants. For obvious reasons there is no mention of vehicular access. Cars have taken the place of the horse and cart, which I can remember well.
The original allotments were quite extensive. Owners and tenants have changed many times over the years. One plot awarded to the School Master is still in existence, at the far end of the road. It is known locally as the School Masters Garden, and is administered by the School Trustees, The Chairman being the Vicar.
Yours sincerely,