Beckley, East Sussex

Infobox UK place
official_name=Beckley
country=England
region=South East England
static_

static_image_caption=All Saints Church
area_footnotes=cite web |url=http://www.eastsussexinfigures.org.uk/webview/ |title=East Sussex in Figures |accessdate=2008-04-26 |publisher=East Sussex County Council]
area_total_km2 =22.8
population=1012 (Parish-2007)
population_density= Pop density mi2 to km2|115|precision=0|abbr=yes
os_grid_reference=TQ852239
latitude=50.99
longitude=0.64
post_town=RYE
postcode_area=TN
postcode_district=TN31
dial_code=01797
constituency_westminster=Bexhill and Battle
london_distance=convert|48|mi NW
shire_district=Rother
shire_county=East Sussex
website=http://www.beckley-uk.com/

Beckley is a village and civil parish in the Rother district of East Sussex, England. It is located on the B2088 minor road above the Rother Levels five miles (8 km) northwest of Rye and ten miles (16 km) from Hastings. The northern border follows the river Rother.

History

Beckley was part of the Wealden iron industry. [cite web |url=http://www.wealdeniron.org.uk/bull2.htm#1993 |title=Wealden Iron Series 2|accessdate=2008-05-24 |year=2007 |publisher=Wealden Iron Research Group] An iron furnace was built in 1578, at the small settlement still called Beckley Furnace. A watermill powered the bellows. Production ceased in 1770. [cite web |url=http://www.villagenet.co.uk/rotherlevels/villages/beckley.php |title=Beckley Sussex |accessdate=2008-05-24 |publisher=Villagenet.co.uk]

The 1830s saw a mass emigration of Beckley residents to New South Wales. At the time, the developing colony of New South Wales was in need of skilled agricultural labourers, whilst the English labourers were suffering hard times. Various schemes were introduced to provide finance for workers to emigrate. 165 Beckley residents took up the offer and emigrated. Amongst those residents were Thomas and Maria Ann Smith (neé Sherwood), otherwise known as Granny Smith. [cite web |url=http://www.beckley-uk.com/History%20Folder/Local_History_Pages.htm |title=Local History |accessdate=2008-05-24 |publisher=Beckley History Society ]

The parish church is the All Saints church, which is located at the far west end of the town. Its isolated position indicating that the main village has relocated during its history.

Governance

The lowest level of government is the Beckley parish council which meets once a month. The parish council is responsible for local amenities such as the provision of litter bins, bus shelters and allotments. They also provide a voice into the district council meetings. The parish council comprises seven councillors with elections being held every four years. The May 2007 election was uncontested. [cite web |url=http://www.rother.gov.uk/media/pdf/o/1/Beckley.FIN.pdf |title=Election of seven councillors |accessdate=2008-05-24|last=Stevens |first=Derek |date=2007-04-04|format=pdf |publisher=Rother District Council]

Rother District council provides the next level of government with services such as refuse collection, planning consent, leisure amenities and council tax collection. Beckley lies within the Rother Levels ward, which provides two councillors. The May 2007 election returned two Conservatives councillors.

East Sussex county council is the third tier of government, providing education, libraries and highway maintenance. Beckley falls within the Northern Rother ward. Peter Jones, Conservative, was elected in the May 2005 election with 49.7% of the vote.

The UK Parliament constituency for Beckley is Bexhill and Battle. Gregory Barker was re-elected in the May 2005 election.

At European level, Beckley is represented by the South-East region, which holds ten seats in the European Parliament. The June 2004 election returned 4 Conservatives, 2 Liberal Democrats, 2 UK Independence, 1 Labour and 1 Green, none of whom live in East Sussex. [cite web |url=http://www.europarl.org.uk/uk_meps/MembersMain.htm |title=UK MEP's |accessdate=2007-01-25 |publisher=UK Office of the European Parliament]

References