Cock & Bell, Long Melford

A report in the Ipswich Journal** in Dec 1830 states that : Tuesday se'nnight was married by Rev. J E Daniell, Mr Thomas Alexander, ship & insurance broker, of Newcastle upon Tyne, to Miss Elizabeth King, eldest daughter of Mrs Dorothy King, of the Cock & Bell Inn, Melford. A report in the Ipswich Journal** on Mar-31 in 1860 when Francis Deeks was the landlord states that : "Joshua Hempstead 18, an ostler at the Cock & Bell was charged with rape of Fanny Mitchell 19. Hempstead had followed Fanny from the pub before knocking her to the ground. It was proven that the rape "had not been accomplished". Hempstead was found guilty of attempted rape & received a sentence of 9 months hard labour. A report in the Ipswich Journal*** on 17 Oct in 1868 states that : Auction of the remaining portion of the country public houses of the late Mr BRADDOCK (a brewer in BSE) including the Bell Inn, Melford. The building dates from some time before the 18th century & once included a Victorian brewery. Photographs of this Grade II Listed pub and more historical information about it can be found at suffolk.camra.org.uk/pub/635