Jump to content

East Bergholt: Difference between revisions

Coordinates: 51°58′41″N 1°01′01″E / 51.978°N 1.017°E / 51.978; 1.017
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
→Governance: Corrected & expanded
m →Notable residents: chronological by birth
 
(31 intermediate revisions by 20 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|Village in Suffolk, England}}
{{Redirect-distinguish2|East End, Suffolk|[[East End (Long Island)]], Suffolk County, U.S}}
{{Redirect|East End, Suffolk|the region of Suffolk County, U.S.|East End (Long Island)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}}
{{Infobox UK place
{{Infobox UK place
Line 8: Line 9:
|static_image_caption= Church of St Mary the Virgin
|static_image_caption= Church of St Mary the Virgin
| population = 2,765
| population = 2,765
| population_ref = (Including Flatford [[United Kingdom Census 2011|2011 Census]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadKeyFigures.do?a=7&b=11128637&c=IP29+4JP&d=16&e=62&g=6465516&i=1001x1003x1032x1004&m=0&r=0&s=1442052118374&enc=1|title=Parish population 2011|access-date=12 September 2015}}</ref>
| population_ref = (Including Flatford [[United Kingdom Census 2011|2011 Census]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadKeyFigures.do?a=7&b=11128637&c=IP29+4JP&d=16&e=62&g=6465516&i=1001x1003x1032x1004&m=0&r=0&s=1442052118374&enc=1|title=Parish population 2011|access-date=12 September 2015|archive-date=13 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161013004041/http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadKeyFigures.do?a=7&b=11128637&c=IP29+4JP&d=16&e=62&g=6465516&i=1001x1003x1032x1004&m=0&r=0&s=1442052118374&enc=1|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| shire_district= [[Babergh]]
| shire_district= [[Babergh District|Babergh]]
| shire_county = [[Suffolk]]
| shire_county = [[Suffolk]]
| region= East of England
| region= East of England
Line 20: Line 21:
}}
}}


'''East Bergholt''' is a village in the [[Babergh|Babergh District]] of [[Suffolk]], England, just north of the [[Essex]] border.
'''East Bergholt''' is a village in the [[Babergh District]] of [[Suffolk]], England, just north of the [[Essex]] border.


The nearest town and railway station is [[Manningtree]], Essex. East Bergholt is ten miles north of [[Colchester]] and 8 miles south of [[Ipswich]]. Schools include [[East Bergholt High School]], a comprehensive for children aged 11–16, and a primary school.
The nearest town and railway station is [[Manningtree]], Essex. East Bergholt is {{convert|10|mi|km|0|abbr=off|spell=in}} north of [[Colchester]] and {{convert|8|mi|km|0|abbr=off|spell=in}} south of [[Ipswich]]. Schools include [[East Bergholt High School]], a comprehensive for children aged 11–16, and a primary school.


During the 16th century, its inhabitants became well known for [[Protestant]] radicalism {{Citation needed|date=August 2009}} A few of its citizens were [[martyr]]ed during the reign of Queen [[Mary I of England|Mary I]], and the Protestant martyrologist [[John Foxe]] recorded their stories in his famous work ''[[Acts and Monuments]]'' (also known as ''[[Foxe's Book of Martyrs]]'').
During the 16th century, its inhabitants became well known for [[Protestant]] radicalism.{{Citation needed|date=August 2009}} A few of its citizens were [[martyr]]ed during the reign of Queen [[Mary I of England|Mary I]], and the Protestant martyrologist [[John Foxe]] recorded their stories in his famous work ''[[Acts and Monuments]]'' (also known as ''[[Foxe's Book of Martyrs]]'').


East Bergholt is the birthplace of painter [[John Constable]] whose father owned [[Flatford Mill]]. [[Flatford]] and [[Dedham, Essex]], both made famous by John Constable, are within walking distance of East Bergholt.
East Bergholt is the birthplace of painter [[John Constable]] whose father owned [[Flatford Mill]]. [[Flatford]] and [[Dedham, Essex]], both made famous by John Constable, are within walking distance of East Bergholt.

== Village Centre ==
The central area of the village includes a variety of businesses:
*Co-Operative Village Shop.
*Grier & Partners - a local estate agents.
*Fountain House Tea Rooms - a small tea room.
*The Red Lion - Newly refurbished, renamed 'The Lion' and converted from a pub to a restaurant
*The Hare and Hounds - Pub
*The Royal Oak - Pub
*The Carriers Arms - Pub/Restaurant
*Oranges and Lemons - Tea Room
*Dunthorne Cottage - a small local bakery.


==St Mary's Church and bell cage==
==St Mary's Church and bell cage==
⚫
[[File:East bergholt cloches.jpg|thumb|left|Bellcage of St. Mary's Church]]
The [http://www.constablecountrychurches.co.uk/ Church of St Mary the Virgin] was built in the 15th and 16th centuries, but is well known for the absence of a tower or spire to house the bells. Work began on a tower in 1525, but [[Cardinal Wolsey]]'s fall from grace in 1530 brought construction to a halt and the following year a wooden bell cage was erected in the churchyard. The [https://eastbergholt-bells.org.uk/ Bell Cage] was built as a temporary structure to house the bells until the tower could be built. It still exists and now houses the set of 5 bells, although it is possible the tenor, which weighs 1ton 6cwt 0qr 8&nbsp;lb (1,320&nbsp;kg) and has a diameter 4&nbsp;ft 6in (137&nbsp;cm), was added in 1691. There are rumors the Bell Cage was moved from its original position in the 17th century because the occupant of Old Hall objected to the noise of the bells. The only evidence for this is a 1731 hand-drawn map on vellum that shows the Bell Cage situated to the East of the Church.
The [http://www.constablecountrychurches.co.uk/ Church of St Mary the Virgin] was built in the 15th and 16th centuries, but is well known for the absence of a tower or spire to house the bells. Work began on a tower in 1525, but [[Cardinal Wolsey]]'s fall from grace in 1530 brought construction to a halt and the following year a wooden bell cage was erected in the churchyard. The [https://eastbergholt-bells.org.uk/ Bell Cage] was built as a temporary structure to house the bells until the tower could be built. It still exists and now houses the set of 5 bells, although it is possible the tenor, which weighs 1&nbsp;ton 6&nbsp;cwt 0&nbsp;qr 8&nbsp;lb (1,320&nbsp;kg) and has a diameter 4&nbsp;ft 6&nbsp;in (137&nbsp;cm), was added in 1691. There are rumors the Bell Cage was moved from its original position in the 17th century because the occupant of Old Hall objected to the noise of the bells. The only evidence for this is a 1731 hand-drawn map on vellum that shows the Bell Cage situated to the East of the Church.
⚫
{{stack|[[File:East bergholt cloches.jpg|thumb|Bellcage of St. Mary's Church]]}}
The bells are exceptional in that they are not rung from below by ropes attached to wheels, as is usual in [[change ringing]], but the [[headstock]] is manipulated by hand by ringers standing beside the bells.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eastbergholtchurch.co.uk/bells/ |title=Bells &#124; The Benefice of East Bergholt and Brantham |publisher=Eastbergholtchurch.co.uk |date=2013-11-21 |access-date=2014-03-15}}</ref>


The bells are believed to be the heaviest five (A, G, F{{music|#}}, E, and D) that are rung in England today, with a total weight of {{convert|4+1/4|LT|kg}}.
The bells are exceptional in that they are not rung from below by ropes attached to wheels, as is usual in [[change ringing]], but the [[headstock]] is manipulated by hand by ringers standing beside the bells.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eastbergholtchurch.co.uk/bells/ |title=Bells &#124; The Benefice of East Bergholt and Brantham |publisher=Eastbergholtchurch.co.uk |date=2013-11-21 |access-date=2014-03-15}}</ref> The bells are believed to be the heaviest five (A, G, F{{music|#}}, E, and D) that are rung in England today, with a total weight of {{convert|4+1/4|LT|kg}}.


==Other important buildings==
==Other important buildings==
[[File:Old Hall south facade - geograph.org.uk - 496064.jpg|thumb|Old Hall, south facade]]
[[File:Old Hall south facade - geograph.org.uk - 496064.jpg|thumb|Old Hall, south facade]]
* Old Hall has been a manor house, nunnery, army barracks and friary. It now houses the Old Hall Community, a single household of about 60 people who live co-operatively and farm organically.<ref name="Jones">{{Cite news |last=Jones |first=Charlie |date=9 January 2023 |title=The Suffolk manor house where 60 people live together |work=[[BBC News]] |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-suffolk-64153693?xtor=ES-211-%5b57703_PANUK_DIV_02_NCA_AmbulanceWaitTimes_RET_ABC%5d-20230113-%5bbbcnews_livingwith60peoplehastakenthestressaway_news |access-date=15 January 2023}}</ref>

⚫
* Lambe School, a Grade II [[listed building]], now the village hall, was founded 1594 by Edward Lambe.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/101033444-the-lambe-school-east-bergholt|title=The Lambe School, East Bergholt, Suffolk|first=Good|last=Stuff|website=www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk|access-date=22 November 2017}}</ref>
*Old Hall, with over 100 rooms and 355 windows has been in its time a manor house, nunnery, army barracks and friary. It now houses the Old Hall Community, a single household of about 60 people who live co-operatively and farm organically.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oldhall.org.uk/ |title=Old Hall Community |publisher=Oldhall.org.uk |access-date=2014-03-15}}</ref>
* East Bergholt Lodge, a Grade II listed property originally built in the 16th century, was for many generations the home of the [[Hughes baronets|Hughes]] and [[Frederic Wake-Walker|Wake-Walker]] families.<ref>[https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1286124?section=official-list-entry Historic England: The Lodge, Hadleigh Road, East Bergholt (list entry 1286124, listed 22 February 1955)]. Retrieved 27 June 2023.</ref><ref>[https://www.ipswichstar.co.uk/news/22030519.princess-dianas-aunt-flee-nazi-inspired-riots/ Ipswich Star, "How Princess Diana's aunt had to flee Nazi-inspired riots: Obituary: Lady Anne Wake-Walker, 99, loved Suffolk and had 'a lively sense of fun'"], 10 March 2020. Retrieved 27 June 2023.</ref>
⚫
*Stour House was once the home of [[Randolph Churchill]].
*East Bergholt Place, home of the Eley family and "The Place for Plants" garden centre is noted for [[camellia]]s.
* East Bergholt Place, home of the [[Maxwell Eley|Eley]] family and the garden centre The Place for Plants, is noted for its [[camellias]].
⚫
* Stour House was once the home of [[Randolph Churchill]], son of the Prime Minister [[Winston Churchill]].
⚫
*Lambe School, a Grade II [[listed building]], now the village hall, was founded 1594 by Edward Lambe.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/101033444-the-lambe-school-east-bergholt|title=The Lambe School, East Bergholt, Suffolk|first=Good|last=Stuff|website=www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk|access-date=22 November 2017}}</ref>
*[[Bridge Cottage]] is a 16th-century cottage used as a location by [[John Constable]].
* [[Bridge Cottage]] is a 16th-century cottage used as a location by [[John Constable]].


==Governance==
==Governance==
The parish of East Bergholt is its own [[Wards and electoral divisions of the United Kingdom|electoral ward]] as part of [[Babergh District]] council<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-06-22|title=Councillor details - John Hinton|url=https://baberghmidsuffolk.moderngov.co.uk/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=148|access-date=2021-06-22|website=baberghmidsuffolk.moderngov.co.uk|language=en}}</ref> and is part of the Samford division of [[Suffolk County Council]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Georgia Hall {{!}} Suffolk County Council|url=https://www.suffolk.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/councillors-and-elected-representatives/find-your-councillor/georgia-hall/|access-date=2021-06-22|website=www.suffolk.gov.uk}}</ref>
The parish of East Bergholt is its own [[Wards and electoral divisions of the United Kingdom|electoral ward]] as part of [[Babergh District]] council<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-06-22|title=Councillor details - John Hinton|url=https://baberghmidsuffolk.moderngov.co.uk/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=148|access-date=2021-06-22|website=baberghmidsuffolk.moderngov.co.uk|language=en}}</ref> and is part of the Samford division of [[Suffolk County Council]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Georgia Hall {{!}} Suffolk County Council|url=https://www.suffolk.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/councillors-and-elected-representatives/find-your-councillor/georgia-hall/|access-date=2021-06-22|website=www.suffolk.gov.uk}}</ref>
The village has it's own Parish council made up of 13 councillors.<ref>{{Cite web|title=East Bergholt Village Website|url=https://eastbergholt.org/Clubs/ParishCouncil/Default.aspx?DYN_MENU_MainMenu=1000010|access-date=2021-06-22|website=eastbergholt.org}}</ref>
The village has its own parish council made up of 13 councillors.<ref>{{Cite web|title=East Bergholt Village Website|url=https://eastbergholt.org/Clubs/ParishCouncil/Default.aspx?DYN_MENU_MainMenu=1000010|access-date=2021-06-22|website=eastbergholt.org}}</ref>
The village is [[[Sister cities|twinned]] with the village of [[Barbizon]] in France.
The village is [[Sister cities|twinned]] with the village of [[Barbizon]] in France.

As with some other English towns and villages located on the border of two counties, the postal address and postcode of East Bergholt is actually linked to Colchester which is in Essex. East Bergholt also has Colchester (“CO…”) postcodes despite it (East Bergholt) actually being in Suffolk.


== Climate ==
== Climate ==
[[File:Landscape with Clouds.tif|thumb|''Landscape with Clouds'', [[John Constable]], (c.1820 - c.1822), features the rectory at East Bergholt]]
[[File:Landscape with Clouds.tif|thumb|''Landscape with Clouds'', [[John Constable]], (c.1820 - c.1822), features the rectory at East Bergholt]]

East Bergholt has a weather station for which data is available. The village experiences a maritime climate with a narrow range of temperature and rainfall spread evenly throughout the year. See [[Ipswich#Climate|Ipswich Climate data]].
East Bergholt has a weather station for which data is available. The village experiences a maritime climate with a narrow range of temperature and rainfall spread evenly throughout the year. See [[Ipswich#Climate|Ipswich Climate data]].


== Amenities ==
== Amenities ==
The village is the home of the East Bergholt Dramatic Society, which was probably formed some time during the 1960s. Lady Anne Wake-Walker was President of the Society for most of the time from its inception to the early 1990s. Her daughter Diana MacFarlane is the present President. The group, which has about 20 members, meets most Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Constable Memorial Hall, from 8pm to 10pm.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://s620555308.websitehome.co.uk/|title=Home|website=s620555308.websitehome.co.uk|access-date=22 November 2017}}</ref>
The East Bergholt Dramatic Society was established in the 1960s. Lady Anne Wake-Walker was president until the 1990s, and was succeeded by her daughter. The group, with about 20 members, meets regularly at the Constable Memorial Hall.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://s620555308.websitehome.co.uk/|title=About Us|publisher=East Bergholt Dramatic Society|access-date=23 January 2024}}</ref>


== Housing Development ==
== Housing development ==
[[File:John Constable - The Celebration in East Bergholt of the Peace of 1814 Concluded in Paris between France and the Allied Powers - Google Art Project.jpg|thumb|left|''[[The Celebration in East Bergholt of the Peace of 1814]]'' by Constable depicts the public jubilee in the village to celebrate the defeat of [[Napoleon]].]]
In 2014 plans were drawn up for a new 144 housing estate in the north of the village. Local residents responded by erecting multiple signs around the village campaigning for a "No" decision by Babergh District Council. In March 2016, Babergh District Council approved the plans for a new housing development, despite strong opposition from Action East Bergholt Group and many concerned residents. As a result, in April 2017 residents were reported to be considering a fight to become part of neighbouring Essex county rather than the current county of Suffolk.
In 2014 plans were drawn up for a new 144 housing estate in the north of the village. Local residents responded by erecting multiple signs around the village campaigning for a "No" decision by Babergh District Council. In March 2016, Babergh District Council approved the plans for a new housing development, despite strong opposition from Action East Bergholt Group and many concerned residents. As a result, in April 2017 residents were reported to be considering a fight to become part of neighbouring Essex county rather than the current county of Suffolk.


Despite earlier strong opposition to any large developments within East Bergholt, the parish council has given its support to a large quasi-commercial development within East End, East Bergholt. Thereby exposing itself to future large developments within the village.<ref>{{cite web|title=East Bergholt considers Suffolk-divorce fight in housing row|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-suffolk-39718754|website=bbc.com|access-date=28 April 2017}}</ref>
Despite earlier strong opposition to any large developments within East Bergholt, the parish council has given its support to a large quasi-commercial development within East End, East Bergholt. Thereby exposing itself to future large developments within the village.<ref>{{cite news|title=East Bergholt considers Suffolk-divorce fight in housing row|work=BBC News|date=26 April 2017|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-suffolk-39718754|access-date=28 April 2017}}</ref>
{{-}}


==Notable residents==
==Notable residents==
{{div col}}
*[[Hughes baronets]]
*[[Robert Samuel]] (? – 1555), clergyman, [[Protestant]] martyrs and one of the [[Ipswich Martyrs]].
*[[Robert Samuel]] (d. 1555), clergyman
*[[Sir Richard Hughes, 1st Baronet]] (1708–1779), naval officer
⚫
*[[John Constable]] (1776– 1837), landscape painter
*[[Sir Richard Hughes, 2nd Baronet]] (1729–1812), naval officer
*[[William Branwhite Clarke]] (1798 – 1878), geologist and clergyman.
⚫
*[[John Constable]] (1776–1837), landscape painter
*[[Charles David Badham]] (1805 – 1857), clergyman, writer, physician, [[entomologist]], and [[mycologist]].
*[[Louisa Lane Clarke]] (1812 – 1883), botanist and travel writer.
*[[William Branwhite Clarke]] (1798–1878), geologist and clergyman
*[[Joseph Woolley (archdeacon of Suffolk)|Joseph Woolley]] (1815 – 1892), clergyman and [[archdeacon of Suffolk]].
*[[Charles David Badham]] (1805–1857), clergyman and physician
*[[George Nelson Godwin]] (1846 – 1907), clergyman and antiquarian.
*[[Louisa Lane Clarke]] (1812–1883), botanist and travel writer
*[[Joseph Woolley (archdeacon of Suffolk)|Joseph Woolley]] (1815–1892), clergyman
⚫
*[[Charles Edward Mallows]] (1864 – 1915), [[architect]].
*[[George Nelson Godwin]] (1846–1907), clergyman and antiquarian
⚫
*[[Bernard Halley Stewart]] (1874 – 1958), physician.
⚫
*[[Charles Edward Mallows]] (1864–1915), architect
*[[V. J. Woolley]] (1878 – 1966), [[Physiology|physiologist]] and [[Parapsychology|parapsychologist]].
⚫
*[[Bernard Halley Stewart]] (1874–1958), physician
*[[Li Osborne]] (1883 – 1968), portrait & figure photographer and sculptor.
*[[Li Osborne]] (1883–1968), photographer and sculptor
*[[Frederic Wake-Walker]] (1888 – 1945), [[Royal Navy]] admiral, taking a leading part in the destruction of the German battleship [[German battleship Bismarck|''Bismarck'']], and in [[Operation Dynamo|Operation ''Dynamo'']], the evacuation at [[Dunkirk]].
*[[Frederic Wake-Walker]] (1888–1945), naval officer, who is buried at East Bergholt cemetery<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2720399/wake-walker,-sir-william-frederic/ |title=Wake-Walker, Sir William Frederic |website=[[Commonwealth War Graves Commission]] |access-date=2 July 2018 |archive-date=2 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180702175705/https://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2720399/wake-walker,-sir-william-frederic/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
*[[Lucy Harwood]] (1893 – 1972), artist.
*[[Lucy Harwood]] (1893–1972), artist
*[[Maxwell Eley]] (1902 – 1983), Olympic gold medal winning [[Rowing (sport)|rower]].
*[[Maxwell Eley]] (1902–1983), rower and businessman
*[[Betty Withycombe]] (1902 – 1993), author.
*[[Betty Withycombe]] (1902–1993), author
*[[Peggy Garland]] (1903 – 1998), portrait sculptor.
*[[Peggy Garland]] (1903–1998), sculptor
*[[Geoffrey Eley]] (1904 – 1990), businessman and author. He served as a director of the [[Bank of England]], and as High Sheriff of both the County of London and the City of London.
*[[Geoffrey Eley]] (1904–1990), businessman and author
*[[Paul Jennings (British author)|Paul Jennings]] (1918 – 1989),
*[[Randolph Churchill]] (1911-1968), journalist, writer and politician
*[[Paul Quail]] (1928 – 2010), [[Stained glass|stained-glass]] artist.
*[[Paul Goddard (footballer)|Paul Goddard]] (born 1959), professional [[Association football|footballer]].
*[[Paul Jennings (British author)|Paul Jennings]] (1918–1989), author
*[[Sarah Raphael]] (1960 – 2001), artist.
*[[Paul Quail]] (1928–2010), stained-glass artist
*[[Paul Curry (golfer)|Paul Curry]] (born 1961), professional [[Golf|golfer]].
*[[Paul Goddard (footballer)|Paul Goddard]] (b. 1959), footballer
*[[Sarah Raphael]] (1960–2001), artist
*[[Paul Curry (golfer)|Paul Curry]] (b. 1961), golfer
{{div col end}}


==References==
==References==
Line 116: Line 110:
[[Category:Villages in Suffolk]]
[[Category:Villages in Suffolk]]
[[Category:Civil parishes in Suffolk]]
[[Category:Civil parishes in Suffolk]]
[[Category:Babergh]]
[[Category:Babergh District]]

Latest revision as of 10:58, 22 October 2024

"East End, Suffolk" redirects here. For the region of Suffolk County, U.S., see East End (Long Island).

East Bergholt
Church of St Mary the Virgin
East Bergholt is located in Suffolk
East Bergholt
East Bergholt
Location within Suffolk
Population2,765 (Including Flatford 2011 Census)[1]
OS grid referenceTM072351
District
Shire county
Region
CountryEngland
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Post townCOLCHESTER
Postcode districtCO7
Dialling code01206
PoliceSuffolk
FireSuffolk
AmbulanceEast of England
UK Parliament
List of places
UK
England
Suffolk
51°58′41″N 1°01′01″E / 51.978°N 1.017°E / 51.978; 1.017

East Bergholt is a village in the Babergh District of Suffolk, England, just north of the Essex border.

The nearest town and railway station is Manningtree, Essex. East Bergholt is ten miles (16 kilometres) north of Colchester and eight miles (13 kilometres) south of Ipswich. Schools include East Bergholt High School, a comprehensive for children aged 11–16, and a primary school.

During the 16th century, its inhabitants became well known for Protestant radicalism.[citation needed] A few of its citizens were martyred during the reign of Queen Mary I, and the Protestant martyrologist John Foxe recorded their stories in his famous work Acts and Monuments (also known as Foxe's Book of Martyrs).

East Bergholt is the birthplace of painter John Constable whose father owned Flatford Mill. Flatford and Dedham, Essex, both made famous by John Constable, are within walking distance of East Bergholt.

St Mary's Church and bell cage

[edit]
Bellcage of St. Mary's Church

The Church of St Mary the Virgin was built in the 15th and 16th centuries, but is well known for the absence of a tower or spire to house the bells. Work began on a tower in 1525, but Cardinal Wolsey's fall from grace in 1530 brought construction to a halt and the following year a wooden bell cage was erected in the churchyard. The Bell Cage was built as a temporary structure to house the bells until the tower could be built. It still exists and now houses the set of 5 bells, although it is possible the tenor, which weighs 1 ton 6 cwt 0 qr 8 lb (1,320 kg) and has a diameter 4 ft 6 in (137 cm), was added in 1691. There are rumors the Bell Cage was moved from its original position in the 17th century because the occupant of Old Hall objected to the noise of the bells. The only evidence for this is a 1731 hand-drawn map on vellum that shows the Bell Cage situated to the East of the Church.

The bells are exceptional in that they are not rung from below by ropes attached to wheels, as is usual in change ringing, but the headstock is manipulated by hand by ringers standing beside the bells.[2] The bells are believed to be the heaviest five (A, G, F♯, E, and D) that are rung in England today, with a total weight of 4+1⁄4 long tons (4,300 kg).

Other important buildings

[edit]
Old Hall, south facade
  • Old Hall has been a manor house, nunnery, army barracks and friary. It now houses the Old Hall Community, a single household of about 60 people who live co-operatively and farm organically.[3]
  • Lambe School, a Grade II listed building, now the village hall, was founded 1594 by Edward Lambe.[4]
  • East Bergholt Lodge, a Grade II listed property originally built in the 16th century, was for many generations the home of the Hughes and Wake-Walker families.[5][6]
  • East Bergholt Place, home of the Eley family and the garden centre The Place for Plants, is noted for its camellias.
  • Stour House was once the home of Randolph Churchill, son of the Prime Minister Winston Churchill.
  • Bridge Cottage is a 16th-century cottage used as a location by John Constable.

Governance

[edit]

The parish of East Bergholt is its own electoral ward as part of Babergh District council[7] and is part of the Samford division of Suffolk County Council.[8] The village has its own parish council made up of 13 councillors.[9] The village is twinned with the village of Barbizon in France.

As with some other English towns and villages located on the border of two counties, the postal address and postcode of East Bergholt is actually linked to Colchester which is in Essex. East Bergholt also has Colchester (“CO…”) postcodes despite it (East Bergholt) actually being in Suffolk.

Climate

[edit]
Landscape with Clouds, John Constable, (c.1820 - c.1822), features the rectory at East Bergholt

East Bergholt has a weather station for which data is available. The village experiences a maritime climate with a narrow range of temperature and rainfall spread evenly throughout the year. See Ipswich Climate data.

Amenities

[edit]

The East Bergholt Dramatic Society was established in the 1960s. Lady Anne Wake-Walker was president until the 1990s, and was succeeded by her daughter. The group, with about 20 members, meets regularly at the Constable Memorial Hall.[10]

Housing development

[edit]
The Celebration in East Bergholt of the Peace of 1814 by Constable depicts the public jubilee in the village to celebrate the defeat of Napoleon.

In 2014 plans were drawn up for a new 144 housing estate in the north of the village. Local residents responded by erecting multiple signs around the village campaigning for a "No" decision by Babergh District Council. In March 2016, Babergh District Council approved the plans for a new housing development, despite strong opposition from Action East Bergholt Group and many concerned residents. As a result, in April 2017 residents were reported to be considering a fight to become part of neighbouring Essex county rather than the current county of Suffolk.

Despite earlier strong opposition to any large developments within East Bergholt, the parish council has given its support to a large quasi-commercial development within East End, East Bergholt. Thereby exposing itself to future large developments within the village.[11]

Notable residents

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Parish population 2011". Archived from the original on 13 October 2016. Retrieved 12 September 2015.
  2. ^ "Bells | The Benefice of East Bergholt and Brantham". Eastbergholtchurch.co.uk. 21 November 2013. Retrieved 15 March 2014.
  3. ^ Jones, Charlie (9 January 2023). "The Suffolk manor house where 60 people live together". BBC News. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
  4. ^ Stuff, Good. "The Lambe School, East Bergholt, Suffolk". www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk. Retrieved 22 November 2017.
  5. ^ Historic England: The Lodge, Hadleigh Road, East Bergholt (list entry 1286124, listed 22 February 1955). Retrieved 27 June 2023.
  6. ^ Ipswich Star, "How Princess Diana's aunt had to flee Nazi-inspired riots: Obituary: Lady Anne Wake-Walker, 99, loved Suffolk and had 'a lively sense of fun'", 10 March 2020. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
  7. ^ "Councillor details - John Hinton". baberghmidsuffolk.moderngov.co.uk. 22 June 2021. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
  8. ^ "Georgia Hall | Suffolk County Council". www.suffolk.gov.uk. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
  9. ^ "East Bergholt Village Website". eastbergholt.org. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
  10. ^ "About Us". East Bergholt Dramatic Society. Retrieved 23 January 2024.
  11. ^ "East Bergholt considers Suffolk-divorce fight in housing row". BBC News. 26 April 2017. Retrieved 28 April 2017.
  12. ^ "Wake-Walker, Sir William Frederic". Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Archived from the original on 2 July 2018. Retrieved 2 July 2018.
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to East Bergholt.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=East_Bergholt&oldid=1252656078"