Belstead facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Belstead |
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 Belstead War Memorial |
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 Belstead
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| Area | 3.06 km2 (1.18 sq mi) |
| Population | 202 Census, 2011 |
| • Density | 66/km2 (170/sq mi) |
| OS grid reference | TM1341 |
| District |
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| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | Ipswich |
| Postcode district | IP8 |
| EU Parliament | East of England |
Belstead is a small village in Suffolk, England. It's located on the southern edge of Ipswich, about 3 miles (5 km) southwest of the town center. In 2011, about 202 people lived here.
Belstead has a few important places. These include a village hall, a church called St Mary's the Virgin, and The Bridge School. This school helps children with learning difficulties. There's also a hotel and spa in the area. Belstead is part of the Babergh district in Suffolk.
Contents
Belstead's Past: A Look at History
Belstead has a long history. In 1870, a book called Imperial Gazetteer of England and Wales described the village. It mentioned that Belstead had 1,022 acres of land. At that time, about 292 people lived in 57 houses.
The book also talked about the church and an Independent chapel. It said that the church was "tolerable," meaning it was in fair condition.
The Ipswich Hoard: Ancient Treasure
A very important discovery was made near Belstead in 1968. This discovery is known as the Ipswich Hoard. It was a collection of gold torcs, which are like large, twisted necklaces or bracelets.
These ancient treasures are now kept safe at the British Museum in London. However, you can see copies of these gold torcs at the Ipswich Museum.
The Bridge School: Learning and Support
The Bridge School is a special school located near Belstead. It's about 1.9 miles (3 km) away on Sprites Lane. This school is for children aged three to sixteen years old.
The school helps students who have severe, profound, and complex learning difficulties. Its main goal is to create a supportive place where students can learn. They want pupils to feel proud of their achievements. In 2015, an inspection by Ofsted (a group that checks schools) rated The Bridge School as "good."
St Mary's the Virgin Church: A Historic Place
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St Mary's Church is an old church located right in Belstead. This church holds special services throughout the year. For example, they have services for Remembrance Sunday. They also host a Christmas Carol event. Besides these, there are monthly services for the community.
Saving the Church: Community Effort
In 2005, the church needed many repairs. It almost had to close down. But the people of Belstead didn't want that to happen. The community came together to help.
With their support, St Mary's Church was able to stay open. People worked hard to clear the graveyard and clean the church building. It is believed that the church structure is about 700 years old.
Belstead's Changing Population
The number of people living in Belstead has changed over time. From 1881 to 1851, the population grew. In 1851, it reached its highest point with 308 people.
After 1851, the population started to decrease. The lowest number of people was in 2001, when only 189 people lived in the village. In 2005, the estimated population was around 190.
Jobs in Belstead: Then and Now
The types of jobs people had in Belstead have also changed a lot.
Jobs in 1881
In 1881, many people in Belstead worked in farming. About 50 men worked in agriculture. Women often worked in domestic services, like cleaning or helping in homes. All the professionals (people with special training) in the village were women. Most other jobs were done by men. Many women's jobs were not recorded or specified.
Jobs in 2011
By 2011, the number of working-age residents (17 to 74 years old) had gone down to 105. Most people had professional jobs, with 17 residents working in these fields. The fewest jobs were in sales and customer service, with only seven people working there.
There was a big change in farming jobs. In 1881, 50 people worked in agriculture. By 2011, this number had dropped to only 8 people.
