Hadleigh

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Hadleigh
Image:Suffolk outline map with UK.png Image:Red pog2.svg Hadleigh shown within Suffolk
Population	7,239 (2001 Census)
OS grid reference	TM030425
District	Babergh
Shire county	Suffolk
Region	East
Constituent country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	IPSWICH
Postcode district	IP7
Dialling code	01473
Police	Suffolk
Fire	Suffolk
Ambulance	East of England
UK Parliament	South Suffolk
European Parliament	East of England
List of places: UK • England • Suffolk

Coordinates: 52°02′38″N 0°57′40″E / 52.044, 0.961

Hadleigh is an ancient market town in Suffolk, East Anglia, England. While not as well-known as its neighbours such as Lavenham, Hadleigh has many beautiful historic buildings and a rich past. Guthrum, King of the Danes, is said to be buried in St. Mary Church (though if true it would have been in the precursor to the present 14th century church). He was defeated by King Alfred in the 9th century. A talk given by a resident of the town to the Hadleigh Society explored this legend in depth with inconclusive results.

Hadleigh has a 15th century timber-framed Guildhall and many fine examples of timber and brick listed buildings, some with highly detailed 17th century plasterwork. Most of these buildings can be found in the High Street, Benton Street, and the immediate area of these streets. The deanery, which is next to the church, is a highly distinctive and attractive brick building. The Oxford Movement was said to have been founded following a meeting in the deanery. The noted 20th century painter Cedric Morris moved to Hadleigh in the 1930s, living and working at Benton End, a rambling farmhouse on the edge of the town.

The town was famous for its wool and cloth industries. Like its near-neighbour, East Bergholt, Hadleigh was also known during the 16th century for its Protestant radicalism (and to this day supports a United Reformed Church, a Baptist chapel and a Salvation Army congregation, as well as the Church of England church and a Roman Catholic church). Rowland Taylor, a noted preacher from the town, was martyred during the reign of Queen Mary I.

The Hadleigh Show, first held in 1840 and known affectionately to locals as 'the May Show', is one of the oldest and most popular agricultural shows in East Anglia.

The town is the home of the noted English poet Pauline Stainer. It is also the location for the headquarters of Babergh District Council [1]- which has been rated as 'good' by inspectors from the Audit Commission. There is also a town called Hadleigh, near Benfleet in Essex.

For Hadleigh Businesses visit the Chamber of Commerce web site http://www.hadleigh4u.org

To learn more about Hadleigh go to http://www.hadleigh.org.uknl:Hadleigh (Suffolk) no:Hadleigh