Smelly Cavendish!

From the Suffolk free Press April 10th 1905

Cavendish. From our correspondent.

I believe as long ago as September last the Cavendish Parish Council appointed a committee to locate if possible the source of the most offensive smell which was evident during the hot weather, the Rural Council was asked to build a weir at the point where the old county river joins the new river so that all surplus water which hitherto has been regulated by the floodgates at Messrs Garrett and Co mill some 400 yards below the junction so that it might be turned to good account and made to flush the bed of the old river and take in its course the sewage of many drains.

The District Council adopted these suggestions and drafted plans, the weir was built with a clear opening into the stream of 10ft wide over which all water beyond the high level at which the mill works come tumbling down,

I prophesied it was always a risky procedure but anything to clear away the objectionable matter and the consequent stinks is warranted, on Sunday last the water was pouring over the concrete apron fully 3 inches deep and clear, by the time it reached it’s destination the same water was black.

Monday rains added to the volume and water was rushing down the river where for years had been nothing but pools and or the most part stagnant, a rush of water cannot be expected in hot weather but the winter rains and high tides will clear the course, this weir when on paper looked like going a long way towards abatement of the nuisance.