Blundeston

Blundeston is a village and civil parish in the Waveney district of Suffolk, England. According to the 2001 census it had a population of 1,560. It is about two miles inland, and between Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft. The village is seen as one of the more desirable in the area, and this is reflected in the house prices being 20% higher than for similar properties in Lowestoft & Gt Yarmouth.

Local amenities

On the southern edge of the village is Blundeston Prison which used to house B Category prisoners but in recent years has changed to the lower security C Category status.

The village contains Blundeston CEVC Primary School and St Mary's Church of England Church (A rare example of a Saxon Round-tower church). Blundeston has two pubs - The Plough Inn and The Red Lion. The Plough is well known in the local area for its traditional food and attracts many people from outside the village, while the Red Lion is more of a local pub and is mainly frequented by villagers.

There are no shops in the village but there is a hairdressers, a scuba diving centre, and Blundeston Garden Centre that sells plants and garden furniture. Situated on Church Road is the old fire station which has now become a piano gallery. Also nearby on the junction of Church Road and Pound Lane there is an old pound which was used for storing stray animals, although today the site is overgrown. At the end of Church Road on the junction between Short Road and The Street there is a disused windmill.

Dickens connection

Blundeston is probably best known for being the birthplace of David Copperfield in the novel of the same name by Charles Dickens. It is not known whether Dickens ever visited Blundeston, but from letters he wrote he mentions choosing the name after seeing it on a signpost during a visit to Great Yarmouth. Links with the novel are prevalent in Blundeston today with road names such as Copperfield Terrace and Dickens Court. On the village sign David is pictured looking towards the church, and the Plough Inn has a plaque over its entrance that says " Barkis (the Carrier) from the novel. David Copperfield by Charles Dickens, started from here", and food is served in the Dickens lounge. The classes in the primary school are called Trotwood, Peggoty, Copperfield and Barkis after characters in the novel. Also, an extension has been put in place for a new classroom for Reception children - this taking the name of Micawber. This is referring to Wilkins Micawber from the novel.

ports

The village is also known locally for its Youth Football Club "The Blundeston Magpies" who have teams from U8 to adult & compete in the Norfolk & North Suffolk Leagues. The now defunct Blundeston exiles 5-a-side team all hailed from this village and won several local titles including Beccles league and Dickleburgh tournament as well as BRAME national honours in the 1990s and early 2000s.

Notable residents

* James Mayhew - The famous author and illustrator of children's books was brought up in Blundeston

External links

* [http://www.blundeston.org.uk/introduction.html Blundeston Map and information]