Editing Aldeburgh

{{Short description|Coastal town in Suffolk, England}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2018}}
{{infobox UK place
| country = England
| coordinates = {{coord|52.15|1.6|display=inline,title}}
| official_name = Aldeburgh
| civil_parish = Aldeburgh
| static_image_name = Moot Hall, Aldeburgh.jpg
| static_image_caption = [[Moot Hall, Aldeburgh|The Moot Hall]]
| population = 2,466
| population_ref = (2011 Census)<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadKeyFigures.do?a=7&b=11119884&c=Aldeburgh&d=16&e=62&g=6466913&i=1001x1003x1032x1004&m=0&r=1&s=1442224122316&enc=1 |title=Town population 2011 |access-date=14 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160314145632/http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadKeyFigures.do?a=7&b=11119884&c=Aldeburgh&d=16&e=62&g=6466913&i=1001x1003x1032x1004&m=0&r=1&s=1442224122316&enc=1 |archive-date=14 March 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| shire_district = [[East Suffolk (district)|East Suffolk]]
| region = East of England
| shire_county = [[Suffolk]]
| constituency_westminster = [[Suffolk Coastal (UK Parliament constituency)|Suffolk Coastal]]
| post_town = ALDEBURGH
| postcode_district = IP15
| postcode_area = IP
| dial_code = 01728
| os_grid_reference = TM463566
| embedded = {{Infobox mapframe |coord = {{Coord|52.15|1.6}} }}
| static_image_2 =
| static_image_2_caption = The town's flag
}}
'''Aldeburgh''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|ɔː|l|b|ər|ə}} {{respell|AWL|bər|ə}}) is a coastal town and [[civil parish]] in the [[East Suffolk District|East Suffolk]] district, in the [[English county|county]] of [[Suffolk]], England, north of the [[River Alde]]. Its estimated population was 2,276 in 2019.<ref>[https://www.citypopulation.de/en/uk/eastofengland/suffolk/E34003232__aldeburgh/ Retrieved 2 March 2021.]</ref> It was home to the composer [[Benjamin Britten]] and remains the centre of the international [[Aldeburgh Festival]] of arts at nearby [[Snape Maltings]], which was founded by Britten in 1948.<ref name=atc>[http://www.aldeburghtowncouncil.co.uk/index.php?pid=1 Aldeburgh Town Council]. Retrieved 9 January 2016.</ref><ref name=archiveshub>[https://archiveshub.jisc.ac.uk/search/archives/afb9d93b-65e3-3b9c-9d19-06ac6051be61 Archives Hub]. Retrieved 7 March 2019.</ref> It also hosts an annual poetry festival<ref>{{Cite web |title=Home |url=https://www.poetryinaldeburgh.org/ |access-date=2022-11-08 |website=poetryinaldeburgh |language=en}}</ref> and several food festivals and other events.<ref name=atc/> 

Aldeburgh, as a port, gained borough status in 1529 under [[Henry VIII]]. Its historic buildings include a 16th-century [[moot hall]] and a Napoleonic-era [[Martello Tower]]. A third of its housing consists of second homes.<ref name=ft>{{Cite news |last=Brown |first=Griselda Murray |title=Follow the music |url=http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/2/eeec7aa2-7b84-11e2-8eb3-00144feabdc0.html#axzz2MMsDkPDc |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221210221212/https://www.ft.com/content/eeec7aa2-7b84-11e2-8eb3-00144feabdc0#axzz2MMsDkPDc |archive-date=10 December 2022 |url-access=subscription |work=1 March 2013 |date=March 2013 |publisher=ft.com |access-date=3 March 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> Visitors are drawn to its [[Blue Flag beach|Blue Flag]] beach and fisherman huts, where fresh fish is sold, to Aldeburgh Yacht Club and to its cultural offerings. Two family-run [[fish and chip shop]]s have been rated among the country's best.<ref>{{Cite news| url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2002/feb/10/foodanddrink.features14 |work=The Guardian |location=London |title=Top 10 chip shops |first=Gavin |last=Newsham |date=10 February 2002 |access-date=23 April 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100414023640/http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2002/feb/10/foodanddrink.features14| archive-date=14 April 2010 |url-status=live}}</ref> The independent Aldeburgh bookshop has been in business for more than seventy years, is locally thought to have been the site of the birthplace of [[George Crabbe]] (1754–1832)<ref>{{Cite web |title=THE ALDEBURGH BOOKSHOP |url=https://www.aldeburghbookshop.co.uk/ |access-date=2022-11-08 |website=THE ALDEBURGH BOOKSHOP |language=en-US}}</ref> and has organised the annual Aldeburgh Literary Festival since 2002.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Aldeburgh Bookshop – Yale Representation |url=https://www.yalerep.co.uk/bookshop/aldeburgh-bookshop/ |access-date=2022-11-08 |website=www.yalerep.co.uk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=3 March 2022 |title=Four of the best independent book shops in Suffolk to mark World Book Day |url=https://www.suffolknews.co.uk/ipswich/news/four-of-the-best-independent-book-shops-in-suffolk-to-mark-w-9242855/ |access-date=8 November 2022 |website=Suffolk News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Who's taking part in this year's Aldeburgh Literary Festival? |url=https://www.eadt.co.uk/things-to-do/21263343.taking-part-years-aldeburgh-literary-festival/ |access-date=2022-11-08 |website=East Anglian Daily Times |date=4 April 2022 |language=en}}</ref>

==History==
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The name "Aldeburgh" derives from the [[Old English]] ''ald'' (old) and ''[[burh]]'' (fortification),<ref>{{Cite book |title=Place-names of Great Britain and Ireland |last=Field |first=John |date=1980 |publisher=David & Charles |isbn=0389201545 |location=Newton Abbot, Devon |oclc=6964610 |page=22}}</ref> although this structure, along with much of the [[Tudor period|Tudor]] town, has now been lost to the sea. In the 16th century, Aldeburgh was a leading [[Seaport|port]] and had a flourishing [[shipbuilding]] industry. The flagship of the [[Virginia Company of London|Virginia Company]], the ''[[Sea Venture]]'' is believed to have been built here in 1608. Aldeburgh's importance as a port declined as the River Alde silted up and larger ships could no longer berth. It survived mainly on fishing until the 19th century, when it also became a seaside resort. Much of its distinctive, whimsical architecture dates from that period. The river is now home to a yacht club and a sailing club.

Between 1959 and 1968, the village was the location of a [[Royal Observer Corps]] monitoring bunker, to be used in the event of a nuclear attack. The bunker was later demolished and no trace survives.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Aldeburgh ROC Post – Subterranea Britannica |url=https://www.subbrit.org.uk/sites/aldeburgh-roc-post/ |access-date=2022-10-10 |website=www.subbrit.org.uk}}</ref>

==Geography==
[[File:Aldborough,_Suffolk_c.1826.jpg|thumb|left|Aldborough, Suffolk c. 1826, [[J. M. W. Turner|Joseph Turner]]]]
Aldeburgh is on the [[North Sea]] coast, about {{convert|87|mi|km|abbr=off}} north-east of [[London]], {{convert|20|mi|km|0|abbr=on}} north-east of [[Ipswich]] and {{convert|23|mi|km|0|abbr=on}} south of [[Lowestoft]]. Locally it is {{convert|4|mi|km|0|abbr=on}} south of the town of [[Leiston]] and {{convert|2|mi|km|0|abbr=on}} south of the village of [[Thorpeness]]. It lies just north of the [[River Alde]], with the narrow shingle spit of [[Orford Ness]] all that stops the river meeting the sea at Aldeburgh – instead it flows another {{convert|9|mi|km|0|abbr=on}} to the south-west.

The beach is mainly shingle and wide in places, allowing fishing boats to draw up onto the beach above the high tide, but it narrows at the neck of Orford Ness. The shingle bank allows access to the Ness from the north, passing a [[Martello tower]] and two yacht clubs at the site of the former village of Slaughden. Aldeburgh was flooded in the [[North Sea flood of 1953]], after which its flood defences were strengthened.<ref name=bbc17may12>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-suffolk-18107396 Alde and Ore estuary gets new flood defence partnership], BBC Suffolk news website, 17 May 2012. Retrieved 30 January 2013.</ref> The beach received a [[Blue Flag beach|Blue Flag]] rural beach award in 2005.

The town is within the [[Suffolk Coast and Heaths]] [[Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty]] (AONB), with a number of [[Sites of Special Scientific Interest]] (SSSI) and nature reserves in its locality. The [[Alde-Ore Estuary]] SSSI covers the area surrounding the river from [[Snape, Suffolk|Snape]] to its mouth, including the whole of Orford Ness. This contains several [[salt marsh]] and [[mudflat]] habitats.<ref name=estuarysssi>[http://www.sssi.naturalengland.org.uk/citation/citation_photo/1003208.pdf Alde-Ore Estuary] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402122736/http://www.sssi.naturalengland.org.uk/citation/citation_photo/1003208.pdf |date=2 April 2015}}, SSSI citation, Natural England. Retrieved 30 January 2013.</ref> The Leiston-Aldeburgh SSSI extends from the northern edge of the town over a range of habitats, including [[grazing marsh]] and [[heathland]].<ref name=lasssimap>[http://www.natureonthemap.naturalengland.org.uk/map.aspx?map=sssi&feature=2000370,sssi,HYPERLINK,LABEL Leiston-Aldeburgh] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130305010332/http://www.natureonthemap.naturalengland.org.uk/map.aspx?map=sssi |date=5 March 2013}}, SSSI map, Nature on the map, Natural England. Retrieved 30 January 2013.</ref><ref name=lasssicite>[http://www.sssi.naturalengland.org.uk/citation/citation_photo/2000370.pdf Leiston-Aldeburgh] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402125046/http://www.sssi.naturalengland.org.uk/citation/citation_photo/2000370.pdf |date=2 April 2015}}, SSSI citation, Natural England. Retrieved 30 January 2013.</ref> It includes Thorpeness Mere and the [[North Warren RSPB reserve]], an area of wildlife and [[habitat conservation]], and nature trails run by the [[Royal Society for the Protection of Birds]].<ref name=lasssicite/><ref name=RSPB1>[http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/n/northwarren/index.aspx The RSPB: North Warren], [[Royal Society for the Protection of Birds]]. Retrieved 17 May 2010.</ref>

Two smaller geological SSSI units lie on the southern edges. Aldeburgh Brick Pit, of {{convert|0.84|ha|acre|adj=on}}, shows a clear stratigraphy of [[Red Crag Formation|Red Crag]] deposits above [[Corralline Crag Formation|Corralline Crag]].<ref name=bricksssi>[http://www.sssi.naturalengland.org.uk/citation/citation_photo/1002444.pdf Aldeburgh Brick Pit] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402133251/http://www.sssi.naturalengland.org.uk/citation/citation_photo/1002444.pdf |date=2 April 2015}}, SSSI citation, Natural England. Retrieved 30 January 2013.</ref> Aldeburgh Hall Pit is a shallow pit {{convert|0.8|ha|acre|abbr=on}} in area, featuring a section of Corralline Crag. It is seen as one of the best sites in Britain for [[Neogene]] fauna.<ref name=hallsssi>[http://www.sssi.naturalengland.org.uk/citation/citation_photo/1001559.pdf Aldeburgh Hall Pit] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402124726/http://www.sssi.naturalengland.org.uk/citation/citation_photo/1001559.pdf |date=2 April 2015}}, SSSI citation, Natural England. Retrieved 30 January 2013.</ref>

The town's churches include the pre-Reformation Anglican parish church of [[St Peter and St Paul's Church, Aldeburgh|St Peter and St Paul]] and the Catholic [[Church of Our Lady and St Peter, Aldeburgh|Church of Our Lady and St Peter]].

==Governance==
[[File:Lady mayoress.jpg|thumb|left|[[Elizabeth Garrett Anderson]], Mayor of Aldeburgh, 1908]]

Aldeburgh has a town council and lies within the [[East Suffolk (district)|East Suffolk]] [[non-metropolitan district]]. Aldeburgh ward, including [[Thorpeness]] and other communities, had a population of 3225 in the [[United Kingdom Census 2011|2011 census]], when the [[arithmetical mean|mean]] age of the inhabitants was 55 and the [[median]] age 61.<ref>Aldeburgh demographics. [http://localstats.qpzm.co.uk/stats/england/east-of-england/suffolk-coastal/aldeburgh Retrieved 15 December 2014.]</ref>

The town is located within the [[Suffolk Coastal (UK Parliament constituency)|Suffolk Coastal]] parliamentary constituency represented since 2024 by the [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]] MP [[Jenny Riddell-Carpenter]]. The constituency was previous seen as a [[safe seat]] for the [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservatives]], having been represented by [[John Gummer]] from 1979 to 2010 and [[Thérèse Coffey]] from 2010 to 2024. 

[[Aldeburgh (UK Parliament constituency)|Aldeburgh]] was a parliamentary borough from 1571 and returned two [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|Members of Parliament]] (MPs), the right to vote being vested in the town's freemen. By the mid-18th century it was classed as a [[rotten borough]], as the votes were controlled by a City of London merchant, [[Thomas Fonnereau]]:<ref>L. Namier, ''[[The Structure of Politics at the Accession of George III]]'' (London 1929) I, pp. 70 and 180.</ref> and memorably described as "a venal little borough in Suffolk".<ref>Crabbe, quoted in [[E. M. Forster]], ''Two Cheers for Democracy'' (Penguin 1965) p. 178.</ref> It lost its representation under the [[Reform Act 1832]].

In 1908 Aldeburgh became the first British town to elect a female mayor: [[Elizabeth Garrett Anderson]], whose father, [[Newson Garrett]], had been mayor in 1889. In 2006, Sam Wright became Aldeburgh's town crier and mace bearer at 15, and so the youngest in the world.<ref>[http://www.eadt.co.uk/news/rain_fails_to_take_shine_off_carnival_1_76752. Rain fails to take shine off carnival Retrieved 22 August 2006.]{{Dead link|date=August 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

In 1885 Aldeburgh became a municipal borough which became part of the administrative county of [[East Suffolk (county)|East Suffolk]] in 1889, the district contained the parish of Aldeburgh.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10107805|title=Relationships and changes Aldeburgh MB through time|publisher=[[A Vision of Britain through Time]]|accessdate=1 July 2024}}</ref> On 1 April 1934 part of [[Hazlewood, Suffolk|Hazlewood]] parish was added Aldeburgh parish and district from [[Plomesgate Rural District]] when Hazlewood was abolished.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10249430|title=Relationships and changes Aldeburgh AP/CP through time|publisher=[[A Vision of Britain through Time]]|accessdate=1 July 2024}}</ref> On 1 April 1974 the district was abolished and became part of [[Suffolk Coastal]] in the [[non-metropolitan county]] of Suffolk.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1972/2039/schedule/part/35/made|title=The English Non-metropolitan Districts (Definition) Order 1972|publisher=[[legislation.gov.uk]]|accessdate=1 July 2024}}</ref> A [[successor parish]] was formed covering the same area as the former district and its parish.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1973/1110/made|title=The Local Government (Successor Parishes) Order 1973|publisher=legislation.gov.uk|accessdate=1 July 2024}}</ref> In 2019 Aldeburgh became part of East Suffolk district.

==Transport==
[[File:Aldeburgh Village Sign, Suffolk.jpg|thumb|Aldeburgh Village sign]]
Aldeburgh is linked to the [[A12 road (Great Britain)|A12]] by the [[A1094 road]], at Friday Street in [[Benhall]]. The B1122 leads to [[Leiston]].

There are direct bus services from the town to [[Saxmundham]], [[Beccles]], [[Halesworth]], [[Woodbridge, Suffolk|Woodbridge]] and [[Ipswich]].<ref name=transport/> Buses in the area are operated by [[First Norfolk & Suffolk|First Eastern Counties]] and Borderbus.

[[Aldeburgh railway station]] opened in 1860 as the terminus of the [[Aldeburgh Branch Line]] from Saxmundham, but was closed in 1966 under the [[Beeching Axe]]. Nowadays, the nearest railway station is {{rws|Saxmundham}} on the [[East Suffolk Line]],<ref name=rail>[http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations_destinations/nonrail/towns/aldeburgh.html Aldeburgh] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120405184901/http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations_destinations/nonrail/towns/aldeburgh.html |date=5 April 2012}}, National Rail. Retrieved 1 February 2013.</ref> approximately {{convert|7|mi|km|0|abbr=off|spell=on}} away. Saxmundham station is served by hourly weekday services to {{rws|Ipswich}}, for connections towards [[Liverpool Street Station|London Liverpool Street]], and to {{rws|Lowestoft}} for connections to {{rws|Norwich}}.<ref name=transport>[http://www.suffolkonboard.com/timetables_leaflets/timetables_by_area/saxmundham_leiston_aldeburgh_surrounding_area Saxmundham, Leiston, Aldeburgh and surrounding area] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130112033401/http://www.suffolkonboard.com/timetables_leaflets/timetables_by_area/saxmundham_leiston_aldeburgh_surrounding_area |date=12 January 2013}}, Suffolk County Council. Retrieved 1 February 2013.</ref>

==Landmarks==
[[File:cmglee_Aldeburgh_War_Memorial_and_Moot_Hall.jpg|thumb|Aldeburgh War Memorial and Moot Hall in July 2019]]

===Lifeboat station===
{{Main|Aldeburgh Lifeboat Station}}
The [[RNLI]] station in the town was operating two lifeboats in 2016.

===Moot Hall===
[[File:MootHallSundial.JPG|thumb|upright|The sundial of the Moot Hall.]]
[[Moot Hall, Aldeburgh|The Moot Hall]] is a Grade I listed timber-framed building, used for council meetings for more than 400 years. The Town Clerk's office remains there and it houses the local museum. It was built in about 1520 and altered in 1654. The brick and stone infilling of the ground floor is later. The hall was restored and the external staircase and gable ends were rebuilt in 1854–1855 under the direction of [[Richard Phipson|R. M. Phipson]], chief architect of the [[Diocese of Norwich]], in which Aldeburgh then stood. There are 64 other listed historic buildings and monuments in the town.<ref>{{NHLE |num=1269716 |desc=Moot Hall|access-date=30 July 2011}}</ref>

===Martello Tower===
[[File:Aldeburgh Martello Tower front.jpg|thumb|left|The Martello Tower viewed from across its bridge]]
A [[:File:DSC 1813-martello-tower.JPG|unique]] [[quatrefoil]] [[Martello Tower]] stands at the isthmus leading to the [[Orford Ness]] shingle spit. It is the largest and northernmost of 103 English defensive towers built in 1808–1812 to resist a threatened Napoleonic invasion.<ref>{{NHLE |desc=Martello Tower |num=1269724 |access-date=24 September 2020}}</ref> The [[Landmark Trust]] now runs it as holiday apartments.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.landmarktrust.org.uk/search-and-book/properties/martello-tower-9317 |title=The Landmark Trust &#124; Martello Tower |publisher=Bookings.landmarktrust.org.uk |access-date=7 August 2012}}</ref> From May 2015 to May 2016, an [[Antony Gormley]] statue was on display on the roof as part of his LAND art installation.

The Martello Tower is the only surviving building of the fishing village of Slaughden, which had been washed away by the [[North Sea]] by 1936. Near the Martello Tower at Slaughden Quay are barely visible remains of the [[fishing smack]] ''Ionia''. It had become stuck in the treacherous mud of the [[River Alde]] and was then used as a [[houseboat]]. It was burnt in 1974 after becoming unsafe.

===Fort Green Mill===
[[File:DSC 1846-weird-lighthouse.JPG|thumb|right|The converted Fort Green windmill]]
{{Main|Fort Green Mill, Aldeburgh}}
The four-storey [[windmill]] at the southern end of the town was built in 1824 and converted into a dwelling in 1902.

===WW2 tank trap===
A WW2 [[tank trap]] can be seen next to Slaughden Road.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tank Barrier Aldeburgh |url=https://www.tracesofwar.com/sights/23964/Tank-Barrier-Aldeburgh.htm |work=tracesofwar.com |access-date=17 August 2020}}</ref>
[[File:Aldeburgh Beach Lookout.jpg|thumb|The Aldeburgh Beach Lookout, built c. 1830]]

===Aldeburgh Beach Lookout===
The [[Aldeburgh Beach Lookout]] is a historic landmark on the Aldeburgh seafront. [[Listed building|Grade II]] listed,<ref>{{NHLE|desc=The South Lookout|num=1269772|access-date=5 October 2021}}</ref> it was built in about 1830 as a lookout tower to assist or plunder shipping along the hazardous North Sea coast. The South African writer [[Laurens van der Post]] did his writing there for more than thirty years. Since 2010, the lookout has provided an artistic space for residents and tourists, with [[Antony Gormley]] sculptures on display between the lookout and the sea.

===Scallop===
[[File:The Scallop, Maggi Hambling, Aldeburgh.jpg|thumb|left|''Scallop'']]
On Aldeburgh's beach, a short distance north of the town centre, stands a sculpture called ''Scallop'', dedicated to [[Benjamin Britten]], who would walk along the beach in the afternoons. Created from stainless steel by the Suffolk-based artist [[Maggi Hambling]], it stands {{convert|15|ft|m|abbr=off}} high and was unveiled in November 2003.<ref name="eatd vandalism">{{Cite news |title=Aldeburgh: Scallop vandal fails to cover their tracks |url=http://www.eadt.co.uk/news/aldeburgh_scallop_vandal_fails_to_cover_their_tracks_1_1168800 |work=East Anglian Daily times |access-date=4 February 2013 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304053758/http://www.eadt.co.uk/news/aldeburgh_scallop_vandal_fails_to_cover_their_tracks_1_1168800 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The piece is made up of two interlocking [[scallop]] shells, each broken, the upright shell being pierced by the words, "I hear those voices that will not be drowned," taken from Britten's opera ''[[Peter Grimes]]''. The sculpture is meant to be enjoyed both visually and in a tactile way: people are encouraged to sit on it and watch the sea.

The upright portion of the shell splits into three sections positioned at different angles. The positioning of these effects a visual transformation, depending on the vantage point from which the sculpture is viewed.

The sculpture is controversial in the local area,<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Aldeburgh Scallop: Have your say! |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/suffolk/content/articles/2004/11/08/scallop_aldeburgh_feature.shtml |publisher=BBC Suffolk |access-date=4 February 2013}}</ref> with some local residents considering it "spoils the beach".<ref name="eatd vandalism" /> It has been vandalised with graffiti and paint on thirteen occasions.<ref name="eatd vandalism"/> There have been petitions both for its removal and retention.<ref name="eatd vandalism"/>
{{clear}}

<gallery>
File:cmglee_Aldeburgh_Scallop_detail.jpg|Detail of ''Scallop'' viewed from the sea in July 2019
File:Scallop as a seabird - Aldeburgh - Maggie Hambling.jpg|Scallop, by Maggie Hambling, as viewed from the path leaving Aldeburgh in the direction of Thorpeness, from which vantage it takes the shape of a seabird
File:Scallop as men in boat - Aldeburgh - Maggie Hambling.jpg|Scallop, viewed from the path between Aldeburgh and Thorpeness, looking back towards Aldeburgh, from which vantage the sculpture takes the shape of two men in a boat, referencing a central incident from the opera ''Peter Grimes''
</gallery>

==First World War==
A nearby aerodrome, Royal Naval Air Station Aldeburgh, was used in the First World War as a night landing ground and for training [[Air observer|observers]].<ref>Sturtivant/Page 1992, p. 448.</ref>

==Notable residents==
<!-- References are required for information not found on the person's own page -->
[[File:George Crabbe by Henry William Pickersgill.jpg|thumb|150px|[[George Crabbe]], 1818]]
[[File:Elizabeth Garrett Anderson (1900 painting after John Singer Sargent).jpg|thumb|150px|Elizabeth Garrett Anderson, 1900]]
[[File:Peter Sinfield in Genoa, 2010.jpg|thumb|150px|[[Peter Sinfield]], 2010]]
*[[Henry Johnson (politician, died 1719)|Henry Johnson]] (c. 1659–1719), the "greatest shipbuilder and shipowner of his day" and MP for Aldeburgh, 1689–1719
*[[George Crabbe]] (1754–1832), poet, was born in Aldeburgh, which features in his poems ''[[The Village (poem)|The Village]]'' and ''[[The Borough (George Crabbe poem)|The Borough]]''. The latter concerns a fisherman named Peter Grimes, on whose story [[Benjamin Britten]]'s opera of that name was based.<ref>{{cite DNB |wstitle= Crabbe, George |volume= 12 |last= Stephen |first= Leslie |author-link= Leslie Stephen |year=|pages= 428-431 |short= 1}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2013/jun/14/britten-george-crabbe-drowned-voice |title=George Crabbe: The man behind Benjamin Britten |last=Morrison |first=Blake |date=14 June 2013 |newspaper=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077 |access-date=1 March 2016}}</ref>
*[[John Liptrot Hatton]] (1809–1886) was an internationally celebrated English composer, conductor, pianist and singer who stayed in Aldeburgh for some time and wrote, for the place he loved, an ''Aldeburgh Te Deum''.<ref>{{cite DNB |wstitle= Hatton, John Liptrot |volume= 25 |last= Maitland |first= John Alexander Fuller |author-link= John Alexander Fuller Maitland |year=|pages= 165-166 |quote=see para 4..."His ‘Aldeburgh Te Deum’ (published) commemorates his fondness for the Suffolk village in which some part of his later years was spent"... |short= 1}}</ref>
*[[Elizabeth Garrett Anderson]] (1836–1917) was the first woman to qualify as a physician and surgeon in Britain, co-founder of first hospital staffed by women, first female dean of a British medical school, first female Doctor of Medicine in France, first woman in Britain elected to a school board, and as Mayor of Aldeburgh, first female mayor and magistrate in Britain. She is buried in the town churchyard<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/garrett_anderson_elizabeth.shtml |title=BBC - History - Elizabeth Garrett Anderson |access-date=1 March 2016}}</ref>
*[[Annie Hall Cudlip]], (1838–1918) writer, novelist and short story writer, was born in Aldeburgh.<ref>{{Cite ODNB |title=The Oxford Index |series=Oxford Dictionary of National Biography|date=23 September 2004|doi=10.1093/ref:odnb/55688 |url=http://oxfordindex.oup.com/view/10.1093/ref:odnb/55688|last1=Stephan |first1=Megan A. }}</ref>
*[[Agnes Garrett]] (1845–1935), suffragist and interior designer, founded the Ladies Dwellings Company.<ref>[http://www.ucl.ac.uk/bloomsbury-project/institutions/ladies_dwellings.htm UCL BLOOMSBURY PROJECT, Ladies' Dwellings Company]. Retrieved December 2017.</ref>
*Dame [[Millicent Fawcett]] (1847–1929), suffragist, feminist and writer, was born in Aldeburgh, where she set her one novel, ''Janet Doncaster''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Fawcett Society History |date=17 March 2016 |url=http://www.fawcettsociety.org.uk/about-2/history/}}</ref>
*[[M. R. James]] (1862–1936), author, set a story, "[[A Warning to the Curious]]", in "Seaburgh" (Aldeburgh). Landmarks such as the Martello tower and ''White Lion Hotel'' feature.<ref>''The Haunted Dolls' House and Other Ghost Stories'', [[Penguin Press]] 2006.</ref>
*[[Mabel Lilian Basham]], filmmaker, documented daily life and key events in Aldeburgh including the local [[Women's Institute]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mabel Lilian Basham - Groups and Centres |url=https://www.uea.ac.uk/web/groups-and-centres/projects/women-in-focus/-/asset_publisher/MBpzJwAQcxeF/content/entry-number-2?_com_liferay_asset_publisher_web_portlet_AssetPublisherPortlet_INSTANCE_MBpzJwAQcxeF_redirect=https://www.uea.ac.uk:443/web/groups-and-centres/projects/women-in-focus?p_p_id=com_liferay_asset_publisher_web_portlet_AssetPublisherPortlet_INSTANCE_MBpzJwAQcxeF&p_p_lifecycle=0&p_p_state=normal&p_p_mode=view&_com_liferay_asset_publisher_web_portlet_AssetPublisherPortlet_INSTANCE_MBpzJwAQcxeF_cur=0&p_r_p_resetCur=false&_com_liferay_asset_publisher_web_portlet_AssetPublisherPortlet_INSTANCE_MBpzJwAQcxeF_assetEntryId=8459946#TitleBar |access-date=2023-05-24 |website=www.uea.ac.uk}}</ref>
* [[Lois Austen-Leigh]] (1883–1968), writer and war volunteer, moved to Aldeburgh (Cob House) with her sister Honor in the 1920s and lived out her days there
*[[Joan Cross]] (1900–1993), soprano and theatre director who created several Britten opera roles, is buried in the town churchyard.
*[[Gerry Fiennes]] (1906–1985), railway manager and author, was Mayor of Aldeburgh in 1976.
*[[Imogen Holst]] (1907–1984), composer, conductor, teacher, assistant to Benjamin Britten, and co-director of the Aldeburgh Festival from 1956 to 1977, lived in Aldeburgh from 1952 and is buried in the town churchyard.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fabermusic.com/we-represent/imogen-holst|title=Imogen Holst|publisher=Faber Music|access-date=18 April 2022}}</ref>
*[[H. T. Cadbury-Brown]] (1913–2009), architect.
*[[File:Benjamin Britten, London Records 1968 publicity photo for Wikipedia (restored).jpg|thumb|162x162px|[[Benjamin Britten]], 1968]][[Benjamin Britten]] (1913–1976) moved to the town in 1942. He, [[Eric Crozier]] (1914–1994) and [[Peter Pears]] (1910–1986) founded the [[Aldeburgh Festival]] and Aldeburgh Music Club. He moved with Pears into [[The Red House, Aldeburgh|The Red House]] in 1957. They lie side by side in the town churchyard.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.its.caltech.edu/~tan/Britten/britbio.html |title=Britten Biographical Information |website=www.its.caltech.edu |access-date=1 March 2016}}</ref>
*[[Ian Tait]] (1926–2013) was a GP in Aldeburgh (from 1959) and one of the founders of the Aldeburgh Poetry Festival; he is known for his work in the modernisation of general practice.<ref>[[Stephen Lock]] (11 November 2021). "Tait, Ian Greville (1926–2013), general practitioner" in ''[[Oxford Dictionary of National Biography]]'' (Oxford University Press) {{doi|10.1093/odnb/9780198614128.013.106320}}</ref>
*[[Ruth Rendell]] (1930–2015), author of thrillers and psychological murder mysteries, created Chief [[Inspector Wexford]].<ref>[https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0719334/ IMDb Database. Retrieved December 2017.]</ref>
*Reverend [[Sandy Millar]] (born 1939), once vicar of [[Holy Trinity Brompton]]<ref>[http://www.ipswichstar.co.uk/news/suffolk-trio-honoured-at-st-edmundsbury-cathedral-service-1-1363268 Ipswich Star – Trio honoured at St Edmundsbury] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170906060649/http://www.ipswichstar.co.uk/news/suffolk-trio-honoured-at-st-edmundsbury-cathedral-service-1-1363268 |date=6 September 2017 }} retrieved December 2017.</ref> and co-founder of the [[Alpha course]], lives in Aldeburgh.
*[[Francis Carnwath]] (1940–2020), deputy director of the [[Tate]] gallery 1990–1994, and co-founder of the Aldeburgh Beach Lookout.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Obituaries |first=Telegraph |date=2020-07-06 |title=Francis Carnwath, devoted his later years to Tate Modern and countless other causes – obituary |language=en-GB |work=The Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/obituaries/2020/07/06/francis-carnwath-devoted-later-years-tate-modern-countless-causes/ |access-date=2020-10-26 |issn=0307-1235}}</ref>
*[[Sue Lloyd]] (1939–2011), model and actress, played Barbara Hunter in ''[[Crossroads (UK TV series)|Crossroads]]''.<ref>[https://www.whatsontv.co.uk/news/crossroads-actress-sue-lloyd-dies-aged-72-170284/ WhatssonTV. Retrieved 8 March 2020.]</ref>
*[[Christine Truman]] (born 1941), Grand Slam tennis event winner, lives in Aldeburgh.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Famous Suffolk People |date=May 2018|url=http://www.suffolktouristguide.com/Famous-Suffolk-People.asp}}</ref>
*[[Malcolm Bowie]] (1943–2007), Master of [[Christ's College, Cambridge]], 2002–2006.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/news/2007/feb/14/guardianobituaries.obituaries |title=Obituary: Malcolm Bowie |first=Michael |last=Sheringham |date=14 February 2007 |work=The Guardian}}</ref>
*[[Peter Sinfield]] (1943-2024), songwriter with the [[progressive rock]] act [[King Crimson]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.lovealdeburgh.co.uk/things-to-do/aldeburgh-celebrity-walk |title=Aldeburgh Celebrity Walk {{!}} Aldeburgh Tourist Information 2016 |website=www.lovealdeburgh.co.uk |access-date=2 March 2016}}</ref>
*[[Craig Brown (satirist)]] (born 1957), journalist, author, [[Private Eye]] satirist, is a resident.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hogan |first=Michael |date=2020-03-28 |title=Craig Brown: 'It's difficult to spoof boring people' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2020/mar/28/craig-brown-its-difficult-to-spoof-boring-people |access-date=2024-10-10 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>
*[[Cevanne Horrocks-Hopayian]] (living), composer, was born in the area and lives in Aldeburgh, on the border with [[Thorpeness]].<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/suffolk/hi/people_and_places/music/newsid_8645000/8645843.stm Cevanne Horrocks-Hopayian reference], bbc.co.uk. Accessed 2 May 2015.</ref>
*[[Roy Keane]] (born 1971), footballer, became an Aldeburgh resident in 2009 on taking over as manager of [[Ipswich Town F.C.|Ipswich Town]].<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/i/ipswich_town/9346787.stm Retrieved 9 September 2019.]</ref>
*[[Miranda Raison]] (born 1977), actress, has a weekend cottage in Aldeburgh and belongs to Aldeburgh Golf Club.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/my-perfect-weekend/7865407/My-perfect-weekend-Miranda-Raison.html |title=My perfect weekend: Miranda Raison |last=Venning |first=Nicola |work=Telegraph.co.uk |access-date=16 July 2017 |language=en}}</ref>
*[[Isabella Summers]] (born 1980), songwriter, producer and remixer ([[Florence and the Machine]]), is from Aldeburgh.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.edp24.co.uk/going-out/aldeburgh_florence_and_the_machine_writer_set_to_release_new_music_1_769911 |title=Aldeburgh: Florence and the Machine writer set to release new music |last=Barnes |first=Jonathan |website=Eastern Daily Press |access-date=1 March 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306202956/http://www.edp24.co.uk/going-out/aldeburgh_florence_and_the_machine_writer_set_to_release_new_music_1_769911 |archive-date=6 March 2016 |df=dmy-all}}</ref>

==Culture==
[[File:AldeburghCoastline.JPG|thumb|Coastline at Aldeburgh.]]
Outside the town, the [[Snape Maltings]] is the venue for the [[Aldeburgh Festival]] held every June.

Aldeburgh Music Club, founded by Benjamin Britten and Peter Pears in 1952,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.aldeburgh.club/ |title=» Aldeburgh Music Club |website=www.aldeburgh.club}}</ref> has since evolved into one of East Anglia's leading choirs, with about 100 members and more than 120 supporting patrons. It rehearses from early September to late May each year and holds three major performances, two of them at [[Snape Maltings|Snape Maltings Concert Hall]].

The annual Aldeburgh Carnival in August has been held at least since 1892 and possibly since 1832, when "Ye Olde Marine Regatta" was mentioned. The focal point today is a carnival procession featuring locals and visitors dressed in homemade costumes and on floats, often with a topical or local theme. In the evening, a parade with [[Paper lantern|Chinese lanterns]] and a firework display are traditional. The procession has been led for more than thirty years by Chief Marshal Trevor Harvey, also a Carnival Committee member for more than fifty years.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.aldeburghcarnival.com/ |title=Aldeburgh, Suffolk |publisher=Aldeburgh Carnival |access-date=7 August 2012}}</ref>

The [[Suffolk Craft Society]] hold an annual themed exhibition in the Peter Pears Gallery over July and August, showing the work of its members.{{Citation needed|date=February 2019}}

The town of Aldeburgh, or "Owlbarrow", is the setting of a series of children's illustrated books centred on ''[[Orlando (The Marmalade Cat)]]'' written by [[Kathleen Hale]], who spent holidays in the town. Many illustrations in the books feature landmarks in the town, including the Moot Hall. The town features in the 1989 thriller ''[[Cross of Fire]]'' by novelist [[Colin Forbes (novelist)|Colin Forbes]], as do the nearby villages of [[Dunwich]] and [[Snape Maltings]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Diwekar |first=Rujuta |url=http://www.flipkart.com/cross-fire-colin-forbes/0330322419-4tw3f9a26g |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120527150907/http://www.flipkart.com/cross-fire-colin-forbes/0330322419-4tw3f9a26g |url-status=dead |archive-date=27 May 2012 |title=Cross of Fire 0330322419: Book: COLIN FORBES (9780330322416) |publisher=Flipkart.com |access-date=7 August 2012 }}</ref> [[James Herbert]] based his book ''The Jonah'' in the area, using several names represented in the local area for characters, including Slaughden.

Aldeburgh (spelt there Aldborough) is the location of a key scene in [[Wilkie Collins]]'s novel ''[[No Name (novel)|No Name]]'', where Captain Wragge and Magdalen Vanstone enact their conspiracy against Noel Vanstone and Mrs Lecount. The town's Martello Tower is (1862) mentioned as a landmark. Aldeburgh also features in Joseph Freeman's novel ''Arcadia Lodge'' as "Seaburgh", and in the M. R. James story ''A Warning to the Curious''. The Maggi Hambling sculpture appears in an early scene, as do various other landmarks.{{Citation needed|date=February 2019}}

===Fishing===
Aldeburgh is notable for its line fishing for amateur [[Fisherman|anglers]]; it has been called "a great spot for bass, flounders, sole, dabs, cod, whiting and eels".<ref name=eastangliantimes>{{Cite web |title=A guide to fishing in Suffolk |url=http://suffolk.greatbritishlife.co.uk/article/guide-to-fishing-on-the-suffolk-coast-cook-eat-23661/ |publisher=East Anglian Daily Times |access-date=4 February 2013}}</ref> However, the ''[[East Anglian Daily Times]]'' says "countless years of commercial [[over-fishing]] has all but destroyed many of our [Suffolk's] offshore sea fisheries"<ref name=eastangliantimes/> and traditional, sustainable inshore fishing is under threat, with likely knock-on effects for the coastal community.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2011 Conference: An Appetite for Change: Suffolk & the Sea |url=http://www.aldeburghfoodanddrink.co.uk/conference/programme/ |publisher=Aldeburgh Food & Drink Festival |access-date=4 February 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130825052904/http://www.aldeburghfoodanddrink.co.uk/conference/programme/ |archive-date=25 August 2013}}</ref> Local fishermen featured in the "Fish Fight" campaigns of [[Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall]] and [[Greenpeace]], supporting small-scale inshore fishermen.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Last Fishermen |url=http://www.greenpeace.org.uk/last-fishermen-film |publisher=Greenpeace UK |access-date=4 February 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121227232244/http://www.greenpeace.org.uk/last-fishermen-film |archive-date=27 December 2012 |df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>"Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall's Fish Fight and Greenpeace, in association with NUTFA (the New Under Ten Fishermen's Association) are campaigning to support the UK inshore fishing industry."{{Cite web |title=From ship to Shaw |url=http://www.placesandfaces.co.uk/articles/1015/from-ship-to-shaw.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130505085808/http://www.placesandfaces.co.uk/articles/1015/from-ship-to-shaw.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=5 May 2013 |publisher=Places & Faces Magazine |access-date=4 February 2013 }}</ref>

===Rugby===
Aldeburgh is home to Aldeburgh and Thorpeness Rugby Club, based at Kings Field in Aldeburgh. The club runs an adult team in the Eastern Counties Leagues, an Under-15s team, Midi/Mini rugby, and Women's touch rugby. The club started out in nearby Thorpeness and moved in 2015 to work with Aldeburgh Town Council and Aldeburgh Community Centre.{{Citation needed|date=February 2019}}

==Media==
Local news and television programmes are provided by [[BBC East]] and [[ITV Anglia]]. Television signals are received from the [[Tacolneston transmitting station|Tacolneston]] TV transmitter and the local relay transmitter situated north-east of the town.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ukfree.tv/transmitters/tv/Aldeburgh|title=Freeview Light on the Aldeburgh (Suffolk, England) transmitter|date=1 May 2004|website=UK Free TV|access-date=15 January 2024}}</ref> 

Local radio stations are [[BBC Radio Suffolk]], [[Heart East]], [[Greatest Hits Radio East|Greatest Hits Radio Ipswich & Suffolk]] and Alde and Blyth Community Radio (ABC), a community radio station.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.abcradio.co.uk/ |title=Alde and Blyth Community Radio  |access-date=15 January 2024}}</ref>

The town is served by the local newspaper the ''[[East Anglian Daily Times]]''.

==Other amenities==
These include [[Aldeburgh Cottage Hospital]],<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/hospitalrecords/details.asp?id=563 |title=The National Archives - Hospital Records |website=www.nationalarchives.gov.uk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.nhs.uk/Services/hospitals/Overview/DefaultView.aspx?id=98537 |title=Overview – Aldeburgh Community Hospital |website=www.nhs.uk}}</ref> a traditional English cottage hospital, the Aldeburgh Library,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.suffolklibraries.co.uk/visit/locations-and-times/aldeburgh-library/ |title=Aldeburgh Library|work=suffolklibraries.co.uk}}</ref> which also relies on volunteers,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ipswichstar.co.uk/news/aldeburgh-community-steps-forward-to-save-library-1-819327?usurv=completed |title=Aldeburgh: Community steps forward to save library |first=Craig |last=Robinson |work=Ipswich Star|date=4 March 2011 }}</ref> and the Aldeburgh cinema,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://aldeburghcinema.co.uk/ |title=Aldeburgh Cinema|work=aldeburghcinema.co.uk}}</ref> which puts on films and cultural events.

==Arms==
{{Infobox COA wide
|escutcheon = Azure on water in base an ancient ship of three masts in full sail a ladder affixed to the side amidships Proper the mainsail charged with a lion rampant the fore and aft sails and pennons each charged with a cross Gules.
|notes = Granted 5 February 1951.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://civicheraldry.co.uk/east_of_england.html |title=East of England Region |publisher=Civic Heraldry of England |access-date=9 March 2021}}</ref>}}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}
*[[Norman Scarfe]]: ''The Shell Guide to Suffolk'', 1976
*Kate Pugh: Return to Suffolk, 2007 [http://www.bottesfordhistory.org.uk/page_id__146_path__0p3p67p.aspx Crabbe 1792–1805]. Bottesford Living History Community Heritage Project on the poet George Crabbe
*Ray Sturtivant and Gordon Page: '' Royal Navy Aircraft Serials and Units 1911–1919'', [[Air-Britain]], 1992, {{ISBN|0 85130 191 6}}

==External links==
{{Commons}}
{{Wikivoyage}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20060325005630/http://www.aldeburghmuseum.org.uk/ The Aldeburgh Museum]
*[http://aldeburgh.oneplacestudy.org Aldeburgh Past]
*{{OpenDomesday|TM4656|aldeburgh|Aldeburgh}}
*[https://eafa.org.uk/search/?perorg=Miss%20Basham Films depicting daily life in Aldeburgh] in the [[East Anglian Film Archive|East Anglia Film Archive]]

{{Aldeburgh}}
{{Suffolk}}

{{East Suffolk}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Aldeburgh| ]]
[[Category:Beaches of Suffolk]]
[[Category:Benjamin Britten]]
[[Category:Civil parishes in Suffolk]]
[[Category:Plomesgate Hundred]]
[[Category:Seaside resorts in England]]
[[Category:Towns in Suffolk]]