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'{{ref improve|date=January 2012}} {{Infobox UK place |country = England |latitude= 52.206 |longitude= 1.579 |official_name= Leiston | population = 6,240 | population_ref = (2001 Census) |shire_district= [[Suffolk Coastal]] |region= East of England |shire_county = [[Suffolk]] |constituency_westminster= [[Suffolk Coastal (UK Parliament constituency)|Suffolk Coastal]] |post_town= LEISTON |postcode_district = IP16 |postcode_area= IP |dial_code= 01728 |os_grid_reference= TM445623 |static_image = [[File:Long Shop Museum, Leiston - geograph.org.uk - 184752.jpg|240px]] |static_image_caption= <small>Long Shop Museum</small> }} '''Leiston''' is a drunken town in eastern [[Suffolk]], England. It is situated near [[Saxmundham]] and [[Aldeburgh]], about {{convert|2|mi}} from the [[North Sea]] coast and is {{convert|21|mi}} northeast of Ipswich and {{convert|90|mi}} northeast from [[London]]. The town had a population of 6,240 at the 2001 Census.<ref name="2001census"> This town is also home to many pubs and a load of drunk people. [http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadKeyFigures.do?a=7&b=6181387&c=leiston&d=14&e=15&g=488936&i=1001x1003x1004&m=0&r=1&s=1301511510187&enc=1 2001 census population data - Leiston ward] Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 2011-03-30.</ref> ==History== The 14th Century remains of [[Leiston Abbey]] lie northwest of the town.<ref name="abbey">[http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/leiston-abbey/history-and-research/ Leiston Abbey], English Heritage. Retrieved 2011-03-30.</ref> 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 [[tractor]]s and a huge variety of cast and machined metal products, including [[munitions]] during both [[world war]]s. 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]], {{convert|1|mi}} 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 [[Funeral#Memorial_services|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. ==Economy, culture and community== Since the closure of Garretts, the town's economy has been dominated by the [[Sizewell nuclear power stations|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 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. 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. ===Sport and leisure=== [[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. Leiston also has a leisure centre,a [[skatepark]] and several Parks. ==Transport== A rail branchspur from the [[Great Eastern Railway|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. ==Education== 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 school|nursery]] with 52 places.<ref name="lpsprofile">[http://www.suffolk.gov.uk/EducationAndLearning/Schools/ListOfSuffolkSchools/LeistonPrimarySchool.htm Leiston Primary School profile], Suffolk County Council. Retrieved 2011-03-30.</ref> Leiston Middle School caters for pupils aged 9 to 13 and is a mixed [[comprehensive school]]. Pupils join the school from schools in Leiston, [[Knodishall|Coldfair Green]], Aldeburgh and [[Middleton, Suffolk|Middleton]].<ref name="lmsprofile">[http://www.suffolk.gov.uk/EducationAndLearning/Schools/ListOfSuffolkSchools/LeistonMiddleSchool.htm Leiston Middle School profile], Suffolk County Council. Retrieved 2011-03-30.</ref> [[Leiston Community High School]] is a 13-18 comprehensive school. In 2001 it became a [[Technology College|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(douche).<ref name="lhsprofile">[http://www.suffolk.gov.uk/EducationAndLearning/Schools/ListOfSuffolkSchools/LeistonCommunityHighSchool.htm Leiston Community High School profile], Suffolk County Council. Retrieved 2011-03-30.</ref> ==References== {{reflist}} ==External links== * [http://www.longshopmuseum.co.uk The Leiston Long Shop Museum] * [http://www.leistonfilmtheatre.co.uk Suffolk's oldest cinema] * [http://www.leistonabbey.co.uk Leiston Abbey] * [http://www.leiston.info/ftsc/ Leiston Film Theatre Support Club] {{Suffolk}} {{Suffolk Coastal}} [[Category:Towns in Suffolk]] [[Category:Suffolk Coastal]] [[it:Leiston]] [[nl:Leiston]] [[nn:Leiston]] [[pl:Leiston]] [[ro:Leiston]] [[simple:Leiston]] [[sv:Leiston]]'