Coordinates: 52°27′04″N 1°43′41″E / 52.451°N 1.728°E
| Pakefield | |
  Pakefield shown within Suffolk |
|
| Population | 1,425 (estimated 2008) |
|---|---|
| District | Waveney |
| Shire county | Suffolk |
| Region | East |
| Constituent country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | Lowestoft |
| Postcode district | NR33 |
| Dialling code | 01502 |
| European Parliament | East of England |
| List of places: UK • England • Suffolk | |
Pakefield is a village[1] in Waveney district on The Sunrise Coast of Suffolk, East Anglia. Historically a small fishing community, it now forms one of the southern suburbs of Lowestoft
The area's main attraction is its undeveloped stony beach and scenic cliffs, popular with walkers and artists. Though now a coastal area, Pakefield was formerly inland, having lost land due to coastal erosion.
Contents |
Features
Pakefield has a large beach, which has been transformed over the years. At the beginning of the 20th century the small beach was somewhat further east than today, and became smaller as the North Sea came in and through coastal erosion caused many residents to lose their homes. The sea has returned and "retreated" the beach over the years leaving a wide expanse mixture of stony beach near the cliffs, sandy shoreline with grass dunes and steep ancient cliffs, undeveloped save for a footpath running along its length, in contrast to the sandy Lowestoft beach to the north with its piers and promenade.
On top of the cliffs is Pakefield's lighthouse; although it is no longer used as a lighthouse it still is used by Pakefield Coastwatch. Along the coast, and immediately inland, there are numerous public houses, the Ferini art and design gallery[2], local shops predominantly gathered around the area of The Tramways public house, the (former terminus of the tram service from Lowestoft) including an opticians, florist, Spar and Co-operative foodstores, takeaways including fish & chips shops, a riding stable, and All Saints & St. Margaret's Church — the parish church known locally as Pakefield Church.
Pakefield also has a theatre, The Seagull theatre, on Morton Road, which was saved in 2008 after being earmarked for closure. It includes a 99-seater auditorium and is used by local community groups, schools, and amateur dramatics societies. Further inland on the western side of Pakefield is Pakefield Park, an open space that was formerly part of a golf course, and adjacent to the Walmer Road home Kirkley & Pakefield F.C., the local team formed by the merger of Pakefield Boys and neighbouring Kirkley football clubs. Though once a distinct and separated community, local development has seen the village of Pakefield and neighbouring Lowestoft expand to meet each other; any boundary between them is now difficult to define.
Ancient Pakefield
Pakefield is a site well known for its Agrology with important finds like flint tools found in Pakefield cliffs have shown that Hominins were active there 700,000 years ago.[3] More recently, in the Doomsday book Pakefield is called “Pagefalla”; this name is from the Pagan settlement that used to be on site of Pakefield church. Arbour Lane in Pakefield got its name from the harbour that was built by Danes which had Vikings raiding it.
BloodMoor Hill in Pakefield was the site of fierce and bloody battle between Christian Romano-British VS Heathen-Angles. In 1758 a Roman armed skeleton was found there. It is said on foggy nights you can hear distant, but distinct screams, cries and clash of swords — the awful sounds of an ancient conflict.
Ghosts and Historical Interest
Pakefield is famed for its hauntings and history with the name Pakefield comeing from the name of the landowner, called Pagga or Pacca. The original Pakefield was an acre of farmland, containing a windmill (Tower Corn Windmill), between what are now known as London Road South, Pakefield Street and All Saint’s Road.
In the modern era, Pakefield played a very important role in the Kindertransport programme nine months before the start of World War 2. Many children who had not found prearranged foster families were given temporary shelter in the local holiday camp[4].
Legend has it that Pakefield currently has its very own ghost — occasionally fisherman have seen a white figure walking along the cliff tops near Crazy Mary's Hole. Ghostly footsteps have also been claimed to have been heard along Florence Road at 9pm.[5][6]
Notable people
- Michael Foreman, illustrator and author was born in Pakefield.
- Bob Blizzard, the MP representing Pakefield, as part of the Waveney district.
- John Holmes, historian and author from Pakefield
- Tess Hardy MBE, created the horse riding school in Pakefield now known as Pakefield riding school
References
- ^ [1]. Retrieved 2009-06-22
- ^ "FERINI DESIGNS & Gallery". http://freespace.virgin.net/ferini.designs/. Retrieved on 2009-03-28.
- ^ Parfitt, Simon; Stringer, Chris; Stuart, Tony; Preece, Richard (January/February 2006). "700,000 years old: found in Pakefield". British Archaeology. CBA. http://www.britarch.ac.uk/ba/ba86/feat1.shtml. Retrieved on 24 December 2008.
- ^ Kaufman, Fred (2005). "Searching for Justice". Google Books. University of Toronto Press. http://books.google.de/books?id=ldpwWeQWUIgC&pg=PA23&lpg=PA23&dq=Pakefield+1938&source=web&ots=oDgsLH5T9w&sig=VlbgZc1scuBgl37oVCAE-CRvQBs&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=5&ct=result. Retrieved on 24 December 2008.
- ^ "Pakefield - Crazy Mary!". Pakefield Family History. adsmt. 17 September 2001. http://www.adsmt.btinternet.co.uk/pakefield/lighthouse.htm. Retrieved on 26 December 2008.
- ^ "Pakefield". Suffolk Tourist Guide. http://www.suffolktouristguide.com/Pakefield.asp. Retrieved on 26 December 2008.
External links
This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)
