Friston
| Friston | |
| Suffolk | |
|---|---|
 St Mary Magdalene Church, Friston | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | TM412605 |
| Location: | 52°11’24"N, 1°31’41"E |
| Data | |
| Population: | 344 (2011) |
| Post town: | Saxmundham |
| Postcode: | IP17 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | East Suffolk |
| Parliamentary constituency: |
Suffolk Coastal |
| Website: | www.friston.org.uk |
Friston is a hamlet in Suffolk, immediately north of the little village of Knodishall, three miles south-east of Saxmundham, and four miles north-west of the coastal village of Aldeburgh. The River Alde bounds the village on the south. The surrounding land is chiefly arable. The soil becomes partly marshy in the lower grounds.
The village is noted for its early nineteenth century post mill, Friston Windmill.[1]
The village's name is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as Frisetuna: the name seems to come from the Old English Frisa tun, meaning 'farmstead of the Frisians', some of them may have come with the Angles and Saxons. An alternative name for the parish is Freston.[2]
History
In 1887, John Bartholomew described Friston as:
Friston, par. and vil., E. Suffolk, 3 miles SE. of Saxmundham, 1846 ac., pop. 385; P.O.; in NW. vicinity of vil. is Friston Hall.[3]
Industry
The 1881 occupational graph demonstrates that the most common occupations for men were in agriculture and commodities with approximately 30 men working in each of these occupations. The second most popular occupation was house construction with 9 men working in that occupation.[4]
Church
The Church at Friston, St Mary's Church, dates back to the Norman period with the main body of the church dating back to the 14th century. The church is built with a nave, chancel, west tower and south porch which is the ideal parish church plan.
The Church contains a Tudor Bible written in 1550 and is possibly the first bible to have ever been used in St Mary's church. The church also has a churchyard which has several graves of the Bowater family members, of which three were Lord Mayors of London.[5]
About the village
Friston is in a rural area close to the sea, rivers and woodland area. Friston is close to a famous bird sanctuary in Minsmere and is also home to its own wind mill dating back to the 19th century called 'Frison Post Mill'.
The village once had nine shops has now seen closure to its school and its post office; it is however close to surrounding towns with shops and supermarkets. There are two cinemas and a theatre within four miles of the village.
The village has a thriving pub called 'Old Chequers Pub' with a traditional log burner.
Friston Post Mill
Friston post mill was built in 1812 and is the tallest of its type in Britain. It was said to have been built by John Collins before getting sold to Joseph Colling of Bramfield and then getting sold to John Wells of Halesworth for £40 in 1813.
The Mill has been repaired ever since it was built, in 1976 there were 7 major repairs because it was affected by deathwatch beetle infestation. The Mill was updated in August 1983 and was described as:
Post Windmill, Early C19; partly restored 1977. Timber framed and weatherboarded body on 3-storey painted brick roundhouse. Fantain and sails removed. The principal machinery, which drove 3 pairs of millstones, remains intact. An outstanding landmark.[1]
Outside links
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("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Friston) |
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 National Heritage List 1215741: Friston Post Mill (Grade II* listing)
- ↑ "Place names". Vision of Britain. http://visionofbritain.org.uk/place/7213/names.
- ↑ Bartholomew, John (1887). Gazetteer of the British Isles. Edinburgh: Bartholomew. http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/place/7213/writing.
- ↑ GB Historical GIS. "Friston CP/AP through time | Industry Statistics | Occupation data classified into the 24 1881 'Orders', plus sex". GB Historical GIS / University of Portsmouth. http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10255557/cube/OCC_ORDER1881.
- ↑ Ross, David. "Friston, St Mary's Church". http://www.britainexpress.com/attractions.htm?attraction=4912.