Village Life Changes

In 1831 the population of Gazeley was 426. Today it is about 750. At the beginning of the 20th century most local people earned a living from the land or associated industries, blacksmith, wheelwright, horseman and with the near proximity of Newmarket, stud farms.

The coming of the combustion engine, electric power and the effects of two world wars,. Combined to revolutionise village life. Today we are now amazed at the sight of modern farm machinery, huge balers, and vast plough shares, all mechanically driven, yet within living memory the earth depended totally on manpower, backed by those every patient horses with names like Dipper, Punch, Boxer, Snip, Poppet and Spade.

The old elm tree which stood near the allotment gate has gone. The original allotments are now covered by a modern housing estate, yet Gazeley still boasts a smithy, farms and a stud farm. Farm workers are trained in the new technology but the same seasons come and go. Many people now commute to 'town jobs' in Newmarket, Bury St Edmonds, Cambridge and London. Happily newcomers and those with roots deep in the soil of Gazeley live in harmony. Their united efforts organised the still remembered Gazeley Fun Day of 1988, which raised funds to equip a childrens' play area.