Somersham, Suffolk
Encyclopedia
Somersham is a village and civil parish
in the Mid Suffolk
district of Suffolk
in eastern England
. Located around five miles northwest of Ipswich
, in 2005 its population was 710.
There are two churches in the village:
St. Mary's Parish Church (OS grid TM0948) just off the main road in the southeast area of the village built in the early part of the 14th century and stands close to Church Farm.
Somersham Baptist Chapel is in the northwest area and is a much newer building.
Somersham had two public houses in the past, King's Head (OS grid TM 085 486) grade II building closed in the early 20th century and started out as farm buildings in the 15th/16th. And the Griffin (OS grid TM 090 485) on the Main Road and now is residential. It was so small that Mr Battle (barkeep and later tennant after the license was revoked) used to get the drinks from the spare room and out the back.
Nowadays, there is one public house ('The Duke of Marlborough') on the Main Road.
Tudor Grange (OS grid TM0848) are a series of timber framed 16th century buildings as you head out northwest from Somersham.
The village of Somersham is in a quite pronounced valley (for East Anglia) and I would think that decent UHF TV reception from any of the main transmitters in the area is pretty much impossible, hence the relay. The 12 meter relay is located on higher ground to the north of the village (The site is actually right at the end of a row of houses) where it's possible to receive good signals from Sudbury
.
There is a small stream flowing to the north of the village field parallel to the main road. A number of successful football teams play at the playing field; both youth sides and the strong Somersham F.C. adult team on saturday mornings, which includes the inimitable Albert Soponov. In 1980/81, Paul Mariner played once for the elder team against the younger side but never scored.
John Abbott (b. 1931 who has lived in village for his whole life) responded to BBC Radio Suffolk
2010-08-10 call for further information reported that there were three shops that used to trade in the area. Mrs Bellhouse , Will Laws , Mr Harrison. A shoe repairer and Barry Larwence (electrical repairer).
The village contains a hair salon, Somersham Primary School, a garage which has been owned by David Haughton for over 20 years and a new village hall in the village. The Post office and small shop closed in 2005 with plans to open a community shop.
AD & KM Caston Ltd operate Church farm and remains in the family with James Caston now (from Sally and John) involved with the arable farm. Windmill meadow.
There is some concern what the impact of SnOasis will have in the area.
) lived in the area for a few years in the early 1980s and a female all around the world sailor lived there.
Local celebrity William Haughton was also born in the vilage in 1994. Haughton's most famous moment came when he dyed his hair white in order to promote the 'Save the sheep in Wales' campaign he launched. More recently he has launched his opening stand up tour which contain some of his best material, including a joke about buying his girlfriend and saying 'Ashley Vincent' in a hilarious voice.
Civil parish
In England, a civil parish is a territorial designation and, where they are found, the lowest tier of local government below districts and counties...
in the Mid Suffolk
Mid Suffolk
Mid Suffolk is a local government district in Suffolk, England. Its council is based in Needham Market, and the largest town is Stowmarket.The district was formed on 1 April 1974 by the merger of the Borough of Eye, Stowmarket urban district, Gipping Rural District, Hartismere Rural District and...
district of Suffolk
Suffolk
Suffolk is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in East Anglia, England. It has borders with Norfolk to the north, Cambridgeshire to the west and Essex to the south. The North Sea lies to the east...
in eastern England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. Located around five miles northwest of Ipswich
Ipswich
Ipswich is a large town and a non-metropolitan district. It is the county town of Suffolk, England. Ipswich is located on the estuary of the River Orwell...
, in 2005 its population was 710.
There are two churches in the village:
St. Mary's Parish Church (OS grid TM0948) just off the main road in the southeast area of the village built in the early part of the 14th century and stands close to Church Farm.
Somersham Baptist Chapel is in the northwest area and is a much newer building.
Somersham had two public houses in the past, King's Head (OS grid TM 085 486) grade II building closed in the early 20th century and started out as farm buildings in the 15th/16th. And the Griffin (OS grid TM 090 485) on the Main Road and now is residential. It was so small that Mr Battle (barkeep and later tennant after the license was revoked) used to get the drinks from the spare room and out the back.
Nowadays, there is one public house ('The Duke of Marlborough') on the Main Road.
Tudor Grange (OS grid TM0848) are a series of timber framed 16th century buildings as you head out northwest from Somersham.
The village of Somersham is in a quite pronounced valley (for East Anglia) and I would think that decent UHF TV reception from any of the main transmitters in the area is pretty much impossible, hence the relay. The 12 meter relay is located on higher ground to the north of the village (The site is actually right at the end of a row of houses) where it's possible to receive good signals from Sudbury
Sudbury, Suffolk
Sudbury is a small, ancient market town in the county of Suffolk, England, on the River Stour, from Colchester and from London.-Early history:...
.
There is a small stream flowing to the north of the village field parallel to the main road. A number of successful football teams play at the playing field; both youth sides and the strong Somersham F.C. adult team on saturday mornings, which includes the inimitable Albert Soponov. In 1980/81, Paul Mariner played once for the elder team against the younger side but never scored.
John Abbott (b. 1931 who has lived in village for his whole life) responded to BBC Radio Suffolk
BBC Radio Suffolk
BBC Radio Suffolk is the BBC Local Radio service for the English county of Suffolk, commencing broadcasts on 12 April 1990. Its studios are at Broadcasting House in St Matthews Street, Ipswich on 95.5 , 95.9 , 103.9 and 104.6 FM...
2010-08-10 call for further information reported that there were three shops that used to trade in the area. Mrs Bellhouse , Will Laws , Mr Harrison. A shoe repairer and Barry Larwence (electrical repairer).
The village contains a hair salon, Somersham Primary School, a garage which has been owned by David Haughton for over 20 years and a new village hall in the village. The Post office and small shop closed in 2005 with plans to open a community shop.
AD & KM Caston Ltd operate Church farm and remains in the family with James Caston now (from Sally and John) involved with the arable farm. Windmill meadow.
There is some concern what the impact of SnOasis will have in the area.
Notable Residents
Paul Mariner (past center forward for Ipswich Town F.C.Ipswich Town F.C.
Ipswich Town Football Club are an English professional football team based in Ipswich, Suffolk. As of 2011, they play in the Football League Championship, having last appeared in the Premier League in 2001–02....
) lived in the area for a few years in the early 1980s and a female all around the world sailor lived there.
Local celebrity William Haughton was also born in the vilage in 1994. Haughton's most famous moment came when he dyed his hair white in order to promote the 'Save the sheep in Wales' campaign he launched. More recently he has launched his opening stand up tour which contain some of his best material, including a joke about buying his girlfriend and saying 'Ashley Vincent' in a hilarious voice.