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| Leiston |
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| Majestic in ruin - Leiston Abbey |
A short distance from the town centre
of Leiston you will find the remains the 14th Century Leiston
Abbey. In 1182, Sir Ranulf de Granville had established an abbey
at nearby Minsmere. Minsmere however is marsh land and 200 years
later after numerous floodings it was decided to move the abbey
to Leiston. As Suffolk does not have many quarries it
was decided to dismantle and move much of the stone from Minsmere
in order to build the new abbey at Leiston.
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 The
order of Augustinian Canons who lived at Leiston were know as
the White Canons after their white habits. They remained at
Leiston until all monasteries were dissolved by King Henry VIII.
After this time the Abbey fell into disrepair, once more the
stone was looted to build other buildings and by the 1920's
it was a farmyard.
Since that time the buildings have been saved from further looting
and the ruins are now in the care of English Heritage. Open
to the public all year round, free of charge, donations accepted.
The Richard Garrett Works or "Leiston Works", as it is locally
referred to, dominates the history of the town of Leiston. Garrett's
made steam tractors and cast metal products, they also produced
ammunition in both World Wars. The company stopped production
many years ago but there is now a museum tracing the history
of the company and the town, the Long Shop Museum is a fascinating
place for young and old. The museum contains static displays
of steam road locomotives, vintage fire engines, local railway
vehicles and farming implements.
In the early 1900's Garrett's produced a steam-driven cinema
projection system which toured local towns (this was essentially
a mobile cinema). Such was the success that the operators eventually
built a permanent base in Leiston High Street, the half timber
framed Leiston Film Theatre still stands and operates as a cinema
to this day, it is the oldest purpose built cinema in Suffolk.
The former home of Richard Garrett now houses the Summerhill
School. Founded in the '20s by A.S. Neill it's pupils are not
required to attend classes and also self-govern with regard
discipline.
In World War II an airbase was constructed on the west of the
town, from here both British and American pilots were stationed.
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Above: Sizewell Nuclear Power Station
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Whereas Garrett's was the major
local employer of the last century the present one is the nearby
Sizewell Nuclear Powerplant. Sizewell is a small village on
the coast just outside of Leiston.
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| RSPB Minsmere
Nature Reserve |
For a great day out in beautiful
scenery, why not visit RSPB Minsmere nature reserve? (Minsmere
is situated just a short drive from Leiston an well sign-posted).
The visitor centre includes a shop and tearoom, and there is
an extensive guided walks programme throughout the year, to
help you to learn more about the reserve's wildlife.
 Minsmere
is the best place in Britain to look for bitterns, while marsh
harriers should be seen on any visit. During spring and summer,
you can see avocets and common terns nesting on the Scrape.
Nightingales sing during the spring, and in autumn, the rutting
red deer make an impressive sight. Winter is an excellent time
to visit the Suffolk coast, with thousands of ducks on the reserve,
and large starling flocks at dusk.
RSPB Minsmere Nature Reserve, Westleton, Saxmundham, Suffolk,
IP17 3BY
For more information, ring 01728 648281 or visit the RSPB
website. |
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