Archive resource

The annual ‘Sudbury Amateur Sports, Bicycle and Boat Races’ taking place on the sports field in Quay Lane and the river beyond. Here the camera has caught one of the special attractions in 1888 – the town Postmaster, Mr Hills, making a balloon ascent from the field. The balloon was (ostensibly) filled with gas provided by the gas works just across the Lane; the balloon later landed safely at Newton Green.