Great Glemham facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Great Glemham |
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 All Saints' Church |
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 Great Glemham
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| Area | 7.77 km2 (3.00 sq mi) |
| Population | 224 (2011) |
| • Density | 29/km2 (75/sq mi) |
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| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | Saxmundham |
| Postcode district | IP17 |
| Dialling code | 01728 |
| Police | Suffolk |
| Fire | Suffolk |
| Ambulance | East of England |
| EU Parliament | East of England |
| UK Parliament |
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Great Glemham is a small village and parish in Suffolk, England. It is located in the East Suffolk area. The village is about one and a half miles west of the main A12 and sits between the towns of Framlingham and Saxmundham.
The area around the village is shaped like a triangle. It has rolling countryside with two clay ridges. A small stream called the Gull flows through it, joining the River Alde. This river forms the eastern edge of the village.
In 2011, about 224 people lived in Great Glemham. The heart of the village is a special Conservation area. This means it has many old and important buildings. These include its church, The Crown Inn, Crown House, and even an old K6 telephone box.
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History of Great Glemham
The name 'Glemham' was first written down in a very old book called the Domesday Book in 1086. It was spelled as Gl(i)emham back then. Experts think the name might come from an old English word meaning 'merriment' or 'fun'. So, 'Glemham' could mean 'the village where sports or fun events were held'.
Glemham House and Music Connections
Glemham House is a large house built in 1814. It was designed by Thomas Hopper for Samuel Kilderbee. Today, it is the home of the Earls of Cranbrook and the Gathorne-Hardy family.
This house has strong links to the famous composer Benjamin Britten. Some of the first and smaller performances of the Aldeburgh Festival of Music and the Arts took place here. A famous recording by Julian Bream and Peter Pears was also made at Glemham House.
An even older Glemham House used to be closer to the village. In the late 1700s, it was home to George Crabbe. He was a writer whose poem The Borough later inspired Britten's opera Peter Grimes.
Britten also worked closely with another person from Glemham, Eric Crozier. Crozier wrote the words for many of Britten's operas, including The Little Sweep. This opera is set at a nearby place called Iken Hall. However, the children in the story were inspired by the children living at Glemham House at the time. These were the children and nephews of Jock and Fidelity Cranbrook.
Fidelity Cranbrook was a friend of Britten and also led the new Aldeburgh Festival. Britten and Crozier used the names of Jock and Fidelity's children for the characters in the opera. The opera is even dedicated to these real children: Gay, Juliet, Sophie, Tina, Hughie, Jonny, and Sammy Gathorne-Hardy of Great Glemham.
People from Great Glemham
Many interesting people have lived in Great Glemham over the years:
- Samuel Kilderbee (1725–1813): A churchman and lawyer who was a lifelong friend of the famous painter Thomas Gainsborough.
- George Crabbe (1754–1832): An English poet.
- Ezekiel Blomfield (1778–1818): A minister and writer who wrote about religion and nature.
- Spencer Horsey de Horsey (1790–1860): A politician who was a Member of Parliament for several areas.
- Robert Meadows White (1798–1865): A clergyman and academic who taught at Oxford University.
- Eric Crozier (1914–1994): A theater director and writer for operas, known for working with Benjamin Britten.
- Nancy Evans (mezzo-soprano): A talented singer who performed in concerts and operas. She was married to Eric Crozier. Benjamin Britten wrote songs and an opera role especially for her.
- Gathorne Gathorne-Hardy, 5th Earl of Cranbrook (1933- ): A zoologist, biologist, naturalist, and writer.
- Caroline, Countess of Cranbrook OBE (1935- ): A writer and campaigner who supports local food, farming, and other rural issues.
See also
In Spanish: Great Glemham para niños
