Halesworth facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Halesworth |
|
|---|---|
 Church of St Mary, Halesworth |
|
 Halesworth
|
|
| Area | 4.47 km2 (1.73 sq mi) |
| Population | 4,726 (2011 Census) |
| • Density | 1,057/km2 (2,740/sq mi) |
| OS grid reference | TM388773 |
| District |
|
| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | HALESWORTH |
| Postcode district | IP19 |
| Dialling code | 01986 |
| Police | Suffolk |
| Fire | Suffolk |
| Ambulance | East of England |
| EU Parliament | East of England |
| UK Parliament |
|
Halesworth is a market town, civil parish and electoral ward in north-eastern Suffolk, England. The population stood at 4,726 in the 2011 Census. It lies 15 miles (24 km) south-west of Lowestoft, on a tributary of the River Blyth, nine miles (fourteen kilometres) upstream from Southwold. The town is served by Halesworth railway station on the Ipswich–Lowestoft East Suffolk Line. It is twinned with Bouchain in France and Eitorf in Germany. Nearby villages include Cratfield, Wissett, Chediston, Walpole, Blyford, Linstead Parva, Wenhaston, Thorington, Spexhall, Bramfield, Huntingfield, Cookley and Holton.
History
A Halesworth bank used to issue its own banknotes. A 5 guinea banknote (£5.25), issued by the Suffolk and Halesworth Bank in 1799, has recently been recovered.
In the early 16th century the Angel Hotel was built and held a position of importance as the post house, coaching inn and main meeting place for townsfolk.
Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker the famous botanist and traveller was born in Halesworth in 1817. Hooker House, now a dental surgery, is named after him. His widow declined the proposal of a burial of his body in Westminster Abbey alongside Charles Darwin.
In 1862 the Rifle Hall was presented to the town by the family of a late captain of the rifle corps, Andrew Johnston. It is so called because it was used as a drill hall by the rifle corps. The hall was originally built in 1792 as a theatre and was used from 1812–44 by the theatre manager David Fisher. He owned an itinerant theatre group which travelled a circuit of theatres in East Anglia (including the Fisher Theatre in Bungay which has now been fully restored). It would take the company two years to complete the circuit travelling with their costumes, props and sets and publicising their plays as they went. They were highly successful with strong links with the London stage and the acting circle.
Chediston Street was originally the site of many pubs and small breweries. The ghost of Squire Baker is reputed to haunt this street. He is renowned for throwing the vicar down the stairs and breaking his legs. There is also a heavy-footed ghost that walks into a house and clumps noisily through to the other side.
Quay Street takes its name from the original town quay. In the middle of the 18th century the river was made navigable from Halesworth to Southwold. A new brick lock was made at Halesworth and new cuts were dug. The first keel arrived from Southwold in 1761, laden with coal, shortening the journey of the cargo considerably. Part of the old navigation can be seen in the Town Park.
The Town Park was created by Donald Newby (Chairman of Halesworth UDC 1970–71) with the help of Lady Rugby who donated some of the land.
1822–31 – the Reverend Richard Whatley was Rector of Halesworth, living in the Rectory, Rectory Lane. He was a renowned and outspoken academic vociferously opposed to slavery. He left Halesworth to become Archbishop of Dublin. One of his descendants is the actor Kevin Whately.
The Thoroughfare
Prior to 1300 much of this area was a flood plain
Excavations outside the White Hart pub in 1991 discovered part of a causeway – probably dating from the late Saxon period. A piece of oak pile from these excavations is in the Halesworth & District Museum.
There are fine examples of 16th, 17th, 18th and 19th century buildings in the Thoroughfare.
Number 8 is a former ironmonger's. This shop belonged to the grandfather of Sir David Frost and the name of William Frost can still be seen underneath the archway next to the shop. The Thoroughfare is home to many specialist shops and cafes as well as playing host to events throughout the year.
Number 6, thought to be 14th century and sometimes referred to as Dame Margery's, is believed to have been the home of Margaret de Argentein. The beam over the main doorway would have included the Argentein coat of arms
Number 14 is thought to have been the early home of George Lansbury – leader of the Labour Party from 1931 to 1935. His granddaughter is the well-known actress Angela Lansbury.
A block of four shops next to this was originally built in 1474 as the Guildhall. This was the home of the Guild of St John the Baptist and Guild of St Love and St Anthony. The original line of the building can be seen.
20th century renovations discovered a mummified cat in the foundations. It was replaced when the work was completed. A similar mummified cat can be found at the Halesworth Museum. This cat came from one of the maltings in the town. The mummified cats were placed to ward off rats and mice from the grain, or bring good luck
A short distance to the east of the actual town lies the Second World War airfield of Halesworth. The airfield began in 1943. Initially the 56th Fighter Group of the United States 8th Army Air Force were stationed there. Later in 1944 it became the base of the 489th Bomb Group flying B24 Liberators. They played a full part in the buildup to and during D-Day on 6 June 1944. From July they switched to strategic offensive bombing until November, when they ceased operations to return to America.
Between January and June in 1945 the 5th Emergency Rescue Squadron operated from the base flying war weary P47s and B17s. Their mission was to carry dinghies and smoke markers to aid downed crews found at sea.
The airfield closed for flying in February 1946. Today the airfield is owned by Bernard Matthews and while it is still closed for flying except by the turkeys, there is an interesting and well laid out museum staffed by locals who help to keep the memories of those it hosted, alive.
St Mary's Church
There has probably been a church on the site of St Mary's, since Saxon times. Halesworth is mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086 recording Ulf the priest to be in charge of the parish.
The present church is essentially early 15th century with outer aisles built and restoration taking place in the late 19th century. At the time of the restoration, some evidence was uncovered of a round-tower church on the site. The carved Danestones in the church are now believed to be early Norman in date. They were found in the church during the 19th century and could be part of a cross shaft. They depict hands clutching foliage or tails. Their original location is unknown, but undoubtedly pre-date anything now visible in the present church.
St Mary's is part of the Blyth Valley Team Ministry of eleven parishes.
A statue of the Madonna and Child in the Lady chapel was fashioned from driftwood by Peter Eugene Ball.
Tall railings once surrounded the churchyard. This provided protection from sheep and cattle being driven through on market day. This was known as Monkey Walk.
Sports
Halesworth has a 27-hole golf club. Halesworth Town F.C., Wenhaston United F.C.are the local football clubs. Halesworth also has a tennis club with courts and has a bowls club both located at the Dairy Hill area.
See also
In Spanish: Halesworth para niños
