Halesworth

Halesworth is a small market town (population of around 6000) in the north east corner of Suffolk, England. It is located 15 miles south west of Lowestoft, and straddles the River Blyth, nine miles upstream from the unspoilt, traditional seaside town of Southwold. The town is served by Halesworth railway station on the Ipswich-Lowestoft East Suffolk Line. Halesworth is twinned with both Bouchain in France and Eitorf in Germany. Halesworth is a lovely town, set in a lovely area. A great place to live in or to visit.

A Roman settlement in origin, Halesworth has the beautiful St Mary's Church (medieval with Victorian additions) and a pleasant pastiche of houses, from early timber-framed buildings to the dignified remnants of Victorian prosperity. The distinctive former almshouses used to house the Halesworth & District Museum, open from May to September, this has now been moved to Halesworth railway station. The recently opened and well demarcated Town Trail offers a pleasant walk, discovering the history of Halesworth.

Halesworth is primarily centered on a pedestrianised, shopping street known as the Thoroughfare. "Thoroughfare" is an East Anglian term for the main street of a town. What would be commonly known elsewhere in the UK as the "High Street". Each year the Thoroughfare hosts a popular food, drink and craft fair, termed the "Thoroughfair", to raise money for good causes. Thousands attend.

Halesworth's New Cut Arts, a centre for arts in the community, offers arts, music, theatre, dance, comedy, cinema, workshops and Art Exhibitions to the local area. It has a cafeteria and licensed bar. New Cut Arts is a registered charity with no central funding, relying on the support of the local community and its 500 Club benefactors.

Halesworth also hosts the now famous "Gig in the Park" which is a preverbial showcase of local, national, and international musical talent, over three days of August every year, previous years have seen the likes of Suzi Quattro, The Stranglers, The Beat, The selecter, The Buzzcocks, and local band frontbum, Who's song "The Thoroughfare" was easily the hit of the 2006 gig. They also have the Jungle Tent for up and coming bands.

The Gig also displays many craft and food styles, and has been associated with many celebrities over the last few years.

Halesworth boasts the largest Millennium Green in the UK with around 44 acres of grazing marsh providing a beautiful haven for wildlife close to the town centre. The surrounding countryside is easily accessible for walkers and cyclists. The rivers in this area are home to heron, kingfisher and otter. Deer roam Dunwich Forest and the RSPB Nature Reserve at Minsmere is home to all manner of wildlife. Walberswick beach is just 10 miles away and is a crabbing haven.

Halesworth's most famous resident is George Lansbury, founding member of the Labour Party, pacifist and grandfather of the actress Angela Lansbury.

Nearby villages include Cratfield, Wisset, Chediston, Spexhall and Bramfield, Suffolk. The village of Holton St. Peter is just 1 mile away with a large open space to walk the dogs called Holton Pits.

1 History
2 The Thoroughfare
3 Railway
4 St Mary's Church
5 Sports
6 Christmas
7 External links
8 See also

[edit] History

Halesworth used to issue its own banknotes. A five-guinea banknote, issued by the Suffolk and Halesworth Bank in 1799, has recently been recovered.

In the early 18th century the Angel Hotel was built and held a position of importance as the post house, coaching inn and main meeting place fo townsfolk.

Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker the famous botanist and traveller; born June 30, 1817 - died December 10, 1911. 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 Darwin.

In 1862 the only murder was recorded, Ebenezer Tye was a policeman who was trying to stop a burglary in Chediston Street, however he recieved stab wounds and is now buried in Halesworth cemetary. The murderer John Ducker was caught and was the last person to be publicly hanged in Suffolk.

In 1862 the Rifle Hall is 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 - 1844 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 currently under restoration). 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 it's 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 - 1971) with the help of Lady Rugby who donated some of the land.

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[edit] 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 ironmongers. 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 he 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 1931 - 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.

[edit] Railway

The Halesworth railway is connected to Ipswich and Lowestoft. It is the best unstaffed railway for 2004 and 2005. From 24th September 1879 until 11th April 1924 there was a line from Halesworth to Southwold. There are plans to revive the railway partly on the original track and partly on new formation.

[edit] St Mary's Church

St Mary's Church is of Saxon origin. Halesworth is mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086 recording Ulf the priest to be in charge of the parish.

The church was enlarged in the 14th Century and further enlarged in the 15th - with outer aisles and restoration taking place in the late 19th Century. 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.

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.

[edit] Sports

In the sporting stakes, Halesworth is quite limited in facilities, although Halesworth Town Football Club, who reside at Dairy Hill have had limited success in recent years, their rivalry with Wenhaston United does lead to some entertaining nights around the town. They are currently in Division 2 of the Suffolk and Ipswich League.

Cricket wise, Halesworth Cricket Club folded. But In 2005 A small group of Halesworthians founded the new breed of cricket club, Halesworth Pumas, who have managed to build a club from nothing, and also hold an impressive record of victories already, the team however still lack a home pitch, and would be grateful for suggestions or donations.

[edit] Christmas

Every year the lights are switched on in the thoroughfare and then people gather near St Mary's to see the christmas tree being lit up. There are stools in the thoroughfare and people dancing with a special visit from Father Christmas who gives the children presents.

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[edit] External links

[edit] See also

Southwold Railway
Halesworth Railway

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Halesworth

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