Plum Pudding Piece is the triangle of land between Coulson Lane, the Avenue and the footpath that
runs behind the Church Institute and the former cinema site.
History
Before 1810 all of it except a small triangular piece at the western tip (ie near the old rectory) was owned by Field Willett who, among other allotments, received this triangle in the Enclosure award of 1810.
On the Tithe map of 1838 it was numbered 435 to 437 and was owned by Edward Bliss, the Lord of
the Manor, and occupied by James Green.
It was owned by the Lord of the Manor until 1902 when Baron Barreto sold it to T R Boughton for £210.
Brandon Feasts
It is believed to have been the traditional site of Brandon public feasts. On 29th May 1953 the Bury
Free Press published a story about Mr Culey, the cinema manager, and his plan to celebrate the
Coronation with a tea in a marquee on “The Avenue” cinema car park with the headline ‘Brandon
Feasts Again In Plum Pudding Close.’ It says that this was the traditional site of Brandon Feasts and
reprints part of a story about celebrations for the defeat of Napoleon on this site in 1814.
1953 May 29 Bury Free Press
Brandon Feasts Again In Plum Pudding Close
This Old Site Was Used in 1814
A very old Brandon tradition will be carried on by Mr B C Culey the proprietor of three cinemas in
the Breckland area, when he provides a Coronation meat tea for over 300 old age pensioners of the town and Kings Lynn in a marquee on “The Avenue” cinema car park on Thursday, June 11, for this piece of ground is part of the Plum Pudding Close the ancient venue of Brandon feasts.
Here in 1814, Brandon prematurely celebrated the downfall of Napoleon with a feast and sports, but it
is unlikely that Mr Culey’s guests will entertain, as then, by grinning through a horse collar or with three
legged races, but the ladies, no doubt, could partake in a sweepstake for a bonnet or shift. The tradition has been carried on since by the old peoples and children’s Christmas treats which between the wars were held in the Church Institute.
What Brandon did in 1814 is mentioned in an old framed document hanging in the offices of Messrs S
and P Lingwood Ltd hatters furriers.
In Companies
With reference to the dinner held on Plum Pudding Close, it was requested that all who had tickets
should meet at the Church Walk (the Avenue) at the top of the street at 12 o’clock, there to form themselves into companies according to their numbers from No 1, as each company had to be admitted separately to its tables, and each family to be provided with mugs and knives and forks.
The program of sports commenced immediately after dinner, with a donkey rides for a bridle, and the
other 19 events included: A jingling match for 20 minutes for a hat valued half a guinea. A donkey race, the best of 3 heats for a pad. Jumping in sacks for a pair of shoes, by three men. Grinning through a collar by three men, the best (or worst) to have 5s, the second 3s on the third 2s. A donkey race, the best of three heats for a bridle. A wheelbarrow race by two men for 5s. Sweepstake by young women under 20 for a worked muslin cap and ribbon.
1814- July 27th Bury and Norwich Post
Brandon Peace Festival – On Friday last the return of Peace was celebrated at Brandon.
In a manner which reflects the greatest credit on the managers of the festival, and gave the
utmost satisfaction to those who participated in its pleasures.-The town was decorated with a
variety of appropriate flags and mottos, among which we are happy to mention a demonstration
of disgust at the continuance of the horrors of the slave trade.-At about 1 o’clock nearly 1200
person sat down at the tables, which were placed in a field belonging to Mr Willett, and partook
of an excellent dinner of plum puddings, and roast and boiled beef; after dinner the usual toasts
were given, and the company repaired to an adjoining field, to witness diverse rural sports of
racing, jumping in sacks, and jingling, which, from the attention of the committee, were most
regularly conducted, and afforded the greatest amusement to the numerous spectators. – In the
evening a very grand display of fireworks took place, affording the greatest delight to the
company, whose eyes were highly gratified by the variety which was displayed, preserving
from the commencement and almost interminable vibration of light for the space of two hours
and upwards. – On the following day, from the liberality of a female subscription, there was a
large tea party, which the utmost conviviality prevailed.