THE PARISH HISTORY
Aldringham is mentioned in the Domesday Book of
1086. It was probably the homestead of Aldere or Jarl. Thorpe is a
common name from old Scandinavian (the Viking language) meaning
outlying farmstead or hamlet. It became Thorpeness in the last
century to distinguish it from other villages of the same name. The
origin of Sizewell is obscure but may come from Syse’s well.
Two thousand years ago the Hundred River is thought to have
carried barges at high tide to and from the Roman town of Cogimagus
where Knodishall church now stands. Ships anchored in the Haven
which is now a marsh and water meadow lying between Thorpeness and
Aldeburgh. The river was the northern boundary of Queen
Aethelfleda’s Benefice in the 7th century in Saxon
times. Today it divides Plomesgate Hundred to the south from
Blything Hundred to the north. It takes its name from the ancient
Saxon administrative unit which is still in use. By the
14th century there may well have been an anchorage by
the Aldeburgh road south of the Aldringham crossroads.
Although Aldringham and Thorpeness are two separate villages it
seems they were treated as one parish since the dissolution of
Snape Priory in the 16th century. There is evidence of
the name Aldringham-cum -Thorpe being used in 1650. The oldest
building in the parish is the Parrot and Punchbowl public house on
the crossroads in Aldringham. It had a long association with
smuggling up to the late 18th century. Contraband was
hidden there until it was safe to take it on to Bromeswell or
Ipswich.
Thorpeness was originally a small fishing
hamlet. By the end of the 19th century erosion by the
sea had reduced it to only four houses.
The landowner, Mr. Stuart Ogilvie, decided to create one of the
first purpose-built holiday villages at his own expense. One of its
major attractions today is the Meare, a boating lake with the story
of Peter Pan as its theme as J.M.Barrie was a close friend of Mr.
Ogilvie.
The windmill at Thorpeness was originally at Aldringham on Mill
Hill. It was moved to its present site in 1922 to pump water to the
House in the Clouds a cleverly disguised water tank. It is no
longer used for that purpose but both buildings are kept in a good
state of repair and are major attractions.
For several centuries the villagers took to smuggling especially
if they were hard up. Sometimes they could not make ends meet when
the fishing and harvest were poor. A shipment of tobacco or spirits
could bring in as much as could be earned in a year. The coastline
was full of quiet spots suitable for the ‘Gentlemens’
operations.
Sizewell was a favourite haunt of smugglers.
Landings of contraband reached their peak during the second half of
the 18th century. The Excise Officers were kept very
busy. The village also suffered severely from erosion. It is now
best known nationally for its nuclear power station, and locally
for its exceptional crabs!
There are several fine houses along the cliffs at Sizewell. The
most imposing is Sizewell Hall. In the 19th century Mr.
Alexander and Mrs. Margaret Ogilvie, the then owners, built up a
magnificent herd of Shorthorn cattle. Mr. Menteith Ogilvie, a
younger brother, created the most comprehensive bird collection and
kept it in a purpose-built museum called The Wardens. It is now a
holiday venue for handicapped and young people.
After hundreds of years of slow change the pace has quickened
inexorably in the past few decades. It is hoped that the villages
and their inhabitants will benefit from whatever the future brings,
and not lose their essential character and
charm.