Beccles
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Beccles | ||
|---|---|---|
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| Statistics | ||
| Population: | 9,746 (2001 Census) | |
| Ordnance Survey | ||
| OS grid reference: | TM428897 | |
| Administration | ||
| District: | Waveney | |
| Shire county: | Suffolk | |
| Region: | East of England | |
| Constituent country: | England | |
| Sovereign state: | United Kingdom | |
| Other | ||
| Ceremonial county: | Suffolk | |
| Historic county: | Suffolk | |
| Services | ||
| Police force: | Suffolk Constabulary | |
| Fire and rescue: | {{{Fire}}} | |
| Ambulance: | East of England | |
| Post office and telephone | ||
| Post town: | BECCLES | |
| Postal district: | NR34 | |
| Dialling code: | 01502 | |
| Politics | ||
| UK Parliament: | Waveney | |
| European Parliament: | East of England | |
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Beccles is a market town in Suffolk, England, within The Broads National Park. It was granted its Charter in 1584 by Elizabeth I. Population 13,044 (2001 Census).
Once a flourishing Saxon seaport, it lies in the Waveney valley and is a popular boating centre. It is dominated by the detached 14th century bell tower of St. Michael's church. Like the main body of the church, the tower is Perpendicular in style and is 97ft tall. The interior of the church was badly damaged by fire in 1586. It has a 13th century font.
The tower is also not attached to the church and at the wrong end of the church as the correct end would be too close to a large cliff.
It was at this church in 1749 that Catherine Suckling married the Reverend Edmund Nelson. Later she gave birth to one of the greatest naval commanders in history: Horatio Nelson.
There is an unusual 18th century octagonal Town Hall.
Beccles Museum is housed in Leman House, a Grade I listed building and has a collection of agricultural, industrial and domestic items, including collections of tools, boat building, printing, costumes and natural history.
Roos Hall is said to be the most haunted house in England.
Beccles has strong connections with the printing trade. The firm of William Clowes (Printer) was once the town's biggest employer and also the largest printing firm in the world. A printing museum contains many examples of composing and printing equipment.
Nowadays the plastics industry provides most of the jobs in the Beccles area.
Worlingham is a suburb of Beccles.
Beccles is home to 759 (Beccles) Air Cadets[1], who take part in a variety of activities such as flying and gliding, expeditions and sports. Beccles Air Cadets play a small role in the community by assisting organisations and activities such as the Beccles Carnival.
Until 1960 the Beccles to Yarmouth Railway ran across the marshes. The town is still served by Beccles railway station on the Ipswich-Lowestoft East Suffolk Line.
Beccles is twinned with Petit-Couronne in France.
Beccles' football team is Beccles Town F.C.. Established in 1919, in the 2006-07 season, they are members of the Anglian Combination Premier Division.
