| Leiston | |
Long Shop Museum |
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Leiston
Leiston shown within Suffolk |
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| Population | 6,240 (2001 Census) |
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| OS grid reference | TM445623 |
| District | Suffolk Coastal |
| Shire county | Suffolk |
| Region | East |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | LEISTON |
| Postcode district | IP16 |
| Dialling code | 01728 |
| Police | Suffolk |
| Fire | Suffolk |
| Ambulance | East of England |
| EU Parliament | East of England |
| UK Parliament | Suffolk Coastal |
| List of places: UK • England • Suffolk | |
Leiston is a town in eastern Suffolk, England. It is situated near Saxmundham and Aldeburgh, about 2 miles (3.2 km) from the North Sea coast and is 21 miles (34 km) northeast of Ipswich and 90 miles (140 km) northeast from London. The town had a population of 6,240 at the 2001 Census.[1]
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The 14th Century remains of Leiston Abbey lie northwest of the town.[2]
Leiston thrived in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as a manufacturing town dominated by Richard Garrett & Sons, owners of the "Leiston Works". This firm made steam tractors and a huge variety of cast and machined metal products, including munitions during both world wars. The works closed in 1981 and the site was reused as a mixture of housing, flats and industrial uses. The Long Shop Museum, showing the history, vehicles and products of the works, remains as a heritage tourist attraction.
During World War II, RAF Leiston, 1 mile (1.6 km) northwest of the town in the neighbouring village of Theberton, sent fighter squadrons of the American 357th Fighter Group to fight the Luftwaffe. Famous American test pilot and fighter ace General Chuck Yeager (who, later, first broke the sound barrier) flew out of RAF Leiston. The Friends of Leiston Airfield hold a memorial service and flying display at the end of May each year, with veterans and their families attending.
Since the 1960s Leiston became famous outside the UK as the home of the Summerhill School, founded by A.S. Neill in the 1920s, which was the first major "free school" - referring to freedom in education. Children are not required to attend classes and discipline is given by student self-government meetings. Summerhill has inspired a large "free school" movement and, more recently, "democratic schools" in several countries. The school occupies the former mansion of Richard Garrett, owner of the Leiston Works.
Since the closure of Garretts, the town's economy has been dominated by the two nuclear power stations on the coast at Sizewell: the now decommissioned Magnox reactor of Sizewell A and the more modern Pressurised Water Reactor of Sizewell B. A number of smaller companies operate from industrial areas within the town.
Leiston high street serves as the business and market hub of the surrounding agricultural district. The town's facilities include a leisure centre, parks, including a skatepark, post office, library, banks, pubs and a range of shops and other services.
"Leiston Film Theatre", a half-timbered building with street front shops, is the oldest purpose-built cinema in Suffolk. The theatre is owned and run by Leiston-cum-Sizewell Town Council and supported by the Leiston Film Theatre Support Club which has raised money for stage refurbishment and enabled the theatre to install the latest digital 3D projection system.
Leiston F.C. play in the Isthmian League Division One North and in November 2008 reached the First round of the FA Cup for the first time in their history.
The town has a traditional Anglican church, St. Margaret's with an ancient tower and an unusual 19th century nave. In addition there are Roman Catholic and Baptist churches at the edge of the town.
A rail branchspur from the Great Eastern Line, known as the Aldeburgh Branch Line, went from Saxmundham to Aldeburgh, with intermediate stations at Leiston and Thorpeness. On 12 September 1966 British Rail withdrew all passenger services to Leiston and beyond; however, the line to Leiston remains active, but only for the purpose of removing nuclear materials from Sizewell power station - which is expected to cease entirely by 2012.
Other than Summerhill School, Leiston also has its own primary, middle and high schools. Leiston Primary School caters for pupils aged 5 to 9. The school also provides a nursery with 52 places.[3]
Leiston Middle School caters for pupils aged 9 to 13 and is a mixed comprehensive school. Pupils join the school from schools in Leiston, Coldfair Green, Aldeburgh and Middleton.[4] Leiston Community High School is a 13-18 comprehensive school. In 2001 it became a Specialist Technology College, and in the following year it was named as one of the most improved schools in England. The current executive Headteacher of both the Middle and High Schools is Mr Ian Flintoff.[5]
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