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This page contains extracts of Town Estate Minutes from 1795 to 1914 and snippets from posters and other documents.
Melton Mowbray 7th December 1795
"At a General Meeting of the Feoffees and Inhabitants held at the usual place pursuant to a Public Notice for that purpose given agreeable to the directions of the last Trust Deed - Settled and allowed the Townwardens Accounts the Balance in favour of the Estate being Three Farthings."
Melton Mowbray 29th February 1796
"Resolved that the subscriber to the Melton Assembly shall have the use of the Girls School Rooms for the Assembly - provided they do not use them oftener than once a month at the annual rent of £1-1-0. Resolved that the Marshall Band of the Melton Musicians shall have the use of the lower School Rooms belonging to the Girls School once a week."
Melton Mowbray 12th September 1796
"At a General Meeting of the Feoffees and Inhabitants of Melton Mowbray aforesaid holden according to publick notice, it was agreed that Sarah Tomblin should be and is hereby Elected Head Mistress of the Free School for Girls in the Room of Mrs Newton who has resigned upon the same Terms and Conditions as Mrs Newton held the same and to enter upon it on the 15th day of this inst Sept"
December 1802
"Notice is hereby given that there will be a meeting of the Feoffees of the Town Estate and the inhabitants of this place on Monday the 13th December 1802 at eleven o'clock in the forenoon, to take into consideration the most eligible mode of Lighting the town and defraying the expence thereof. Also of an application by some of the Inhabitants of the Burton End for a new pump. - The Town Tolls. - The state of the Schools, the application of the Rents and other purposes relative to the Town Estate."
17th December 1804
"The Rev Dr Ford in the Chair.
Ordered that the Townwardens shall not expend any of the Town Money beyond the sum of £10 in repairs or otherwise without the order of a Town Meeting. Ordered that the Townwardens shall for the future shape and settle their accounts in the month of December every year."
27th May 1805
"Resolved that the salary of the Head Schoolmaster be increased to Sixty pounds a year but instead of taking Forty Boys only he shall admit all Boys of the Town whom the Committee shall think proper to send to him - The Headmaster is not to be restrained from taking other boys so long as he keeps a proper assistant and does his duty to the Town Boys."
20th January 1808
"At a meeting of the Feoffees and inhabitants held in pursuance of the Trust Deed and of a public notice given in the Church at least fourteen days preceding, to take into consideration the propriety of removing the Market Cross, adopting some plan for enlarging the Market Place, for letting the Close late in the occupation of William Searey, selling the Haystack standing thereon and for other purposes.
It was Resolved that the Cross be removed if it meets with Lord Melbourne's approbation, the Stones sold and Benches provided out of the money thereby produced for the accommodation of the Market People."
Resolved That John Back and Henry Parker be paid five pounds for regulating the Market for the last year but this Meeting wish it to be understood that they make no order for its being continued.
Vestry Room 19th November 1810
"Resolved that from the great Increase of the Schools it is necessary that two masters be appointed for the Instruction of the Scholars and that the Committee advertise for two proper persons for that purpose. The Headmaster to be allowed a salary of Seventy pounds a year in addition to the Chapel Close and the School House and premises for his own occupation. And that the Usher shall have a salary of Fifty pounds a year in addition to the House now in the occupation of Wm. Gamble for his residence with a part of the yard and Garden belonging to the School House to be paced off by the committee."
14th July 1817
"It was unanimously resolved that the lower Boys School shall be established upon the National Plan of Education and that Mr. Brereton be sent to Leicester to gain the necessary information to enable him to conduct the School upon that plan."
4th August 1817
"Resolved that all the Schools in Melton supported by the Rents of the Town Estate shall in future be conducted under the Superintendance of one Master, upon the National Plan in one Building."
Girls' School Room 7th November 1817
Resolved that two Watchmen be continued and paid by the Townwardens as heretofore until Ladyday 1818."
9th November 1825
At a Meeting of the Feoffees of the Town Estate and Inhabitants of Melton Mowbray held at the Town Hall for the purpose of considering the best mode of carrying into Execution a Resolution of the meeting held on Wednesday the 12th day of October last namely
"That it would be greatly for the benefit of the Inhabitants at large if certain Houses, Gardens and Lands belonging to the Town Estate were sold and the money laid out in the purchase of other Estates"
Resolved that the necessary steps be taken to obtain the Act of Parliament in the next sessions for the above purpose.
The Act of Parliament was obtained, town property was sold and land was bought on the outskirts of the town.
The Town Estate now owns 15.75 acres of land on Nottingham Road and 147.81 acres on Dalby Road, Melton Mowbray.
With the exception of the land occupied by the Leicestershire County Council Highways Department, all these areas are let for agricultural use.
24th February 1834
At a General Meeting of the Feoffees of the Town Estate and Inhabitants of this Parish pursuant to fourteen days notice given in the Church for the purpose of taking into consideration the discharge which Town Wardens have given to the Magistrates of the Hundred to discontinue their sittings in the Town Hall.
Mr Latham in the Chair
Resolved That after the explanation given by the Town Wardens this meeting feels it necessary to confirm their proceedings...
14th April 1834
Mr Latham in the chair
"A meeting of the Feoffees and inhabitants of this Town to take into consideration the propriety of lighting the Town with Gas instead of the defective method now in use.
4th May 1836
At an adjourned Meeting of the Feoffees and Inhabitants of this Town Resolved that Lord Melbourne be offered £20 a year in lieu of taking his Town Tolls in kind, such sum to be paid yearly, out of the Town Estate, until either Lord Melbourne or the Town Estate dissolve the agreement.
13th April 1837
At a meeting of Feoffees and Inhabitants held this day at the Town Hall, it was resolved that the privilege of placing Stalls on a Market Day rented of Lord Melbourne, be placed in the hands of the Feoffees and Townwardens.
Resolved that a sum of money be received by them for the use of the ground from every person occupying the same on Market Day.
NOTICE
The Feoffees and Inhabitants of this Parish are requested to meet at the Town Hall on Monday the twentyfifth instant at eleven o'clock in the forenoon to take into consideration an application made to the Townwardens by Mr Parsons the County Surveyor that he may make an alteration in the two windows of the Girls School for the purpose of completing his plan for the erection of a County Prison adjoining the Girls School.
Dated the Ninth day of July 1842
At a meeting of the Inhabitants of this Town held at the Town Hall on the 19th May 1845
"It was resolved:- That a piece of land be purchased for a Burial Ground at the expence of the Town Estate and that one third part of the said ground be set apart for the use of the different Dissentors of the Parish.
3rd August 1846
"It was resolved that the payment of the Salary of the Organist out of the proceeds of the Town Estate be discontinued and that it be so discontinued from the end of this present year."
"Notice is hereby given the Inhabitants and Feoffees of the Melton Mowbray Town Estate will meet at the Town Hall on Monday the 26th instant at 11 o'clock in the forenoon to take into consideration the propriety of purchasing the Manorial Rights and Town Dues of the said Manor"
Dated this 10th day of November 1849
At this meeting the Feoffees were empowered to purchase the Manor of Melton Mowbray provided such purchase could be effected on terms likely to be beneficial to the town.
11th February 1850
"On the motion of Mr. Thomas Anderson seconded by Mr John Marshall it was proposed "That the Play Close be purchased by the Town on the terms offered viz: for one hundred and fifty pounds and that the purchase money be raised by the Townwardens in five pound shares in the same manner as the purchase money for the Burial Ground."
12th June 1855
At a meeting of the Inhabitants held pursuant to the following notice viz:
Wool Fair
Several influential Graziers in the neighbourhood of Melton Mowbray have suggested to the new Fairs Committee that it is desirable to hold a fair in this Town (as the centre of a large grazing District) for the Sale of Wool, a Meeting will therefore be held in the Town Hall this evening, Tuesday June 12th at half past Seven o'clock to take this suggestion into consideration. All parties interested are respectfully requested to attend.
Thomas Baker, John Towne; Townwardens
Resolved That it is desirable to establish a Wool Fair at Melton Mowbray and that the first of such Fairs be held on Tuesday the 26th June instant.
That the Fair be advertised twice in:
- The Leeds Mercury
- The Bradford Observer
- The Leicester Journal
- The Stamford Mercury and the Nottingham Guardian
TO THE TOWNWARDENS OF MELTON MOWBRAY
GENTLEMEN
We, the undersigned, being anxious that the Inhabitants of Melton Mowbray and its Vicinity should, at this portentious period, show their patriotism, loyalty and zeal, for the honour and security of their country, respectfully request you to call a Public Meeting as early as convenient, to ascertain their sentiments respecting the formation of a RIFLE CORPS for the Framland Division of the County.
November 23rd 1859
NOTICE
A MEETING OF THE Feoffees and Inhabitants of the Parish will be held in the Town Hall, Melton Mowbray, on Monday 29th January 1866 at Eleven O'Clock in the forenoon
To consider the propriety of purchasing the Play Close to become Town Property.
29th January 1866
At a meeting of Feoffees and Inhabitants it was moved by Mr Brown seconded by Mr Marshall and carried unanimously that the Play Close be purchased.
31st December 1866
Resolved - That the Townwardens be empowered to take the proper steps for levelling the Play Close and the formation of a Path from Mr Baker's boundary wall to the Play Close Lane - to continue the same to the extremity of Mr Anderson's garden and thence to the Navigation side - and that Chestnut or other Forest Trees be planted at intervals.
12th August 1872
Resolved - That the Townwardens be empowered to purchase a plot of Ground adjacent to the Play Close now the property of Colonel Reeve.
To the Townwardens of MELTON MOWBRAY, in the County of Leicester
We, the undersigned, Inhabitants of Melton Mowbray, hearby request you to call an early MEETING Of the Inhabitants of the Town, to consider the propriety of making an appeal on behalf of the SUFFERERS IN BULGARIA And other parts of Turkey.
Dated this Twenty - sixth day of September, 1876.
6th June 1877
Moved by Mr Shouler and seconded by Mr Large that the Townwardens be empowered to take possession of the piece of land adjoining the Play Close as soon as at liberty and do so much of asphalting a path round it as they may deem prudent until the future occupation of the Old Canal is decided.
Melton Mowbray - 14th January 1880
A Meeting of the Inhabitants was held, in the Town Hall, on Friday 14th January, in accordance with a memorial "to consider and determine as to the Expediency of memorialising the Crossing at Burton End, to substitute another in lieu of their pile Bridge and to improve the waterway bounding their property in the Parish. And in the event of Directors not complying with the Memorial - if adopted - then to authorize steps to bring all, or any one or more of the matters specified under the notice of the Board of Trade"
The Chairman having opened the meeting, Mr John Gee, Honorary Secretary of the Flood Committee, read the following, as the suggested memorial to be sent to the Midland Directors:-
To the Directors of the Midland Railway Company:
The Memorial of the inhabitants of Melton Mowbray, adopted at a Town Meeting, held on 7th January 1881, sheweth:-
That the level crossing over your Railway at Burton-end, in this town, has been, for several years, a source of danger to life, and a great interruption to traffic, and that such danger to life and interruption to traffic has become intensified since the opening of your new route to the North and South, via Melton Mowbray; and the passing of many express trains, daily, over such level crossing.
That your pile bridge, spanning the only waterway through Melton Mowbray, is a great obstruction to the flow of storm waters, and one of the principal, if not the main cause of Burton-end and other low-lying portions of the town being inundated; thereby causing destruction to life and property, with loss of trade, sickness and misery as attendant evils.
That the waterway forming the boundary of your property requires to be widened and deepened, to facilitate the passage of the floods, inasmuch as in its present state it is contributory to the inundations and disastrous effects mentioned in the last paragraph.
Your memorialists therefore pray that you will take the matters brought to your notice into your serious consideration, with the view of erecting such structural appliances as will obviate the necessity of the public using the level crossing. That you will substitute another for the pile bridge; and that you will widen and deepen the waterway forming the boundary of your property in Melton Mowbray; And your memorialists will ever pray.
Lord Grey-de-Wilton moved the adoption of the memorial, which was seconded by Mr T Large, and carried unanimously.
Signed John Dickenson
Chairman
22nd June 1886
...the following resolution were passed
- That the Feoffees and rate-paying inhabitants in meeting duly convened hereby authorize the Townwardens to accept the offer made by the Trustees of Court George and Dragon to sell the South portion of the old Canal now partly filled with soil for the sum of £30 in order to secure a Frontage to the Play Close and to the Canal purchased a few years ago for the sum of £650, conditionally upon the consent of the Chancery Division of the High Court of Justice being obtained to the application towards such purchase of the funds at present in hand of the Paymaster General.
- That the best thanks of this meeting be given to Herbert B. Praed Esq. for the interest he has manifested in the welfare of the town by securing funds for and otherwise aiding the carrying out the projected improvement in the Play Close.
22 March 1887
Business The Road to the Play Close
Moved by Mr Fitton and seconded by Mr Weaver that the offer of the Court George and Dragon of the Ancient Order of Foresters, to devolve a piece of land belonging to them to the widening and straightening of the Road from Burton Street to the Play Close for the sum of Five Pounds be accepted. Carried unanimously.
TO THE TOWNWARDENS OF MELTON MOWBRAY
We the undersigned Ratepayers (and persons concerned) strongly protest against the Jubilee Fountain being permanently placed on its present site, and request that a Town Meeting be called to select a suitable place for its erection.
- Goddard Bros.
- A. Eagers.
- Robert Barker.
- Fred Warner.
- Wm. Manchester.
- Wm. Bowley.
- Chas. Pears.
- Jno. Robt. Berry.
- Fredk. Hawley.
- Richd. Ladbury.
- T.H. Betts.
- J. Sturgess.
- G. & T. Rowell.
- T.B. Easom & Son.
- C. Cartwright.
- J.H. Petch.
In accordance with the above requisition, A MEETING will be held in the Town Hall, on Monday the 14th May, 1888, at 11 o'clock in the forenoon. Richd. Barker & Josiah Hill } Townwardens
Town Hall - April 1896
We the undersigned agree to act as Firemen under the direction of the Townwardens and to practice with the Engine not less than four times each year and to respond to any call that may be made upon us for active service on condition that we receive a retaining fee of Twenty shillings per man per annum payable 6th April each year.
In case of anyone failing to attend when called upon the man failing shall find a substitute and remunerate the same, failing this the Townwardens for the time being shall be at liberty to withhold the fee.
One practice shall take place in each quarter of the year.
- Geo Lowden
- J Tyler
- John Lowden;
- F Plowman
- S Nurham
- W Nurham
- Fred Brewin
- Richard Robinson
- Wm Dobury
- Henry Cropper
26th June 1905
Mr Brewitt drew attention to the unsatisfactory condition of the Play Close as a recreation ground and suggested levelling the surface and the provision of swings for the children.
25th June 1906
Mr J W Warner read a report regarding improvements to the Playfield and said that the estimated cost would be from £250 to £300. The Committee were empowered to spend £300.
24th June 1907
The Senior Townwarden Mr H Wood, reported that the Playfield improvement had been commenced and he hoped as time went on it would give pleasure to all the Inhabitants of Melton Mowbray.
13th January 1908
This meeting received with delight Mr Whitchurch's generous offer of the paddock in Leicester Street for the sum of £200.
29th June 1908
The Senior Townwarden proceeded to lay before the meeting a scheme to further improve the Playfield by adding the recently acquired paddock and making an entrance from Leicester Street. It was proposed along the frontage from Mr Steele's House to the river, to build a 2 feet 6 inches wall, with a stone coping and an iron palisading 4 feet 6 inches high on the top, making the total height of the wall and palisading 7 ft. There would be an entrance in the centre, with two large iron gates 7 ft high and a hand gate. The cost of this work on the front was estimated at £200. It was suggested making a path from the entrance all round the field to the old Playfield and the cost of this would be £90. Levelling the paddock and the provision of an iron fence and a shrubbery would bring the cost to £530. A resolution that £100 be spent on a Band-stand was deferred for twelve months.
6th May 1910
Out of consideration for the health of the children who use the Play Close, the beating and shaking of carpets had been prevented except on the Old Canal Bank.
Melton: Pride of the Shires
Old Melton Mowbray, pride of the shires,
To talk of the sporting days one never tires;
Thy fine hunting boxes for years have they stood,
And harboured amongst us the bluest of blood.
The horses you stable are the pick of the world,
Are talked of whenever our flag is unfurled;
Many that ride them are steel to the core,
They can hunt a good fox - are heroes in war
Some have died at the front, shedding their blood,
For King and for Country, like poor Gordon Wood;
They are ready and willing, hard always, and fit
To put off the Scarlet, and don Kharki and Kit.
In South Africa many a night by the fires
Talked of jolly old Melton - "pride of the Shires;"
Or with hands in their pockets, to open the purse,
To help a good cause, or pay for a nurse.
We are proud of our Gentry! deny it who can!
There is nothing like blood in horse or in man.
This book it will travel to far distant lands,
And be passed on in time through dozens of hands
So on a cold winter's night with grog by your fires,
Drink "Success to old Melton," the pride of the Shires.Poem by Sam B. Weaver
Townwarden 1935 - 37
Taken from Melton Mowbray Times Coronation Souvenir 22nd June 1911
Town Estate Halberd Bearers
From left to right:
- Mr T Martin, Deputy.
- Mr GEO Chambers, Town Bailiff.
- Mr WM Gamble, Deputy.
The Halberds seen above are believed to be of ancient origin. After lying by for many years, they were brought once again into use on the day of the funeral of the late King Edward. They were used in the local Coronation Festivities of Queen Victoria.
29th June 1914
Moved by Mr A Rowell, seconded by Mr Allen and agreed that this meeting authorises the Townwardens and Feoffees to spend a sum not exceeding £60 for the purchase of suitable Chairs to be left out at 1d each in the New Park.