Plomesgate Rural District

The district had its origins in the Plomesgate Poor Law Union, which had been created in 1835. It was named after the historic hundred of Plomesgate, although it covered a significantly larger area that included most, but not all, of the historic hundred. A workhouse was built to serve the poor law union in 1836–1837 on Chapel Lane in Wickham Market.[1] In 1872, sanitary districts were established, with responsibility for public health and local government given to the boards of guardians of poor law unions for areas without urban authorities. The Plomesgate Rural Sanitary District initially covered the same area as the Plomesgate Poor Law Union, but in 1885 the town of Aldeburgh became a municipal borough and thereafter formed its own urban sanitary district.[2]

Under the Local Government Act 1894, rural sanitary districts became rural districts on 28 December 1894. Plomesgate Rural District Council held its first meeting on 31 December 1894 at the Plomesgate Union Workhouse (later known as Plomesgate House) in Wickham Market. George Walker, the previous chairman of the board of guardians, was appointed the first chairman of the council.[3] Plomesgate House served as the council's meeting place throughout the period the council existed.[4]

In 1900 the parish of Saxmundham was made an urban district, removing it from the Plomesgate Rural District.[5]

In 1934, under a County Review Order, Plomesgate Rural District was abolished and most of its parishes transferred to the new Blyth and Deben Rural Districts. The parish of Kenton, which was detached from the rest of the Plomesgate Rural District, became part of Hartismere Rural District. The parish of Hazlewood was abolished at the same time, being split between the parish of Friston (which went to Blyth Rural District) and the borough of Aldeburgh.

Plomesgate Rural District comprised the following civil parishes:[8]

52.17°N 1.42°E / 52.17; 1.42