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Halesworth is a small market town (population of around 6,000) in the northeastern corner of Suffolk, England. It is located 15 mi (24.1 km) south west of Lowestoft, and straddles the River Blyth, 9 miles (14 km) upstream from Southwold. The town is served by Halesworth railway station on the Ipswich-Lowestoft East Suffolk Line. Halesworth is twinned with both Bouchain in France and Eitorf in Germany. A Roman settlement, Halesworth has a medieval church; St Mary's with Victorian additions and a variety of houses, from early timber-framed buildings to the remnants of Victorian prosperity. Former almshouses used to house the Halesworth & District Museum (open from May to September) but this has now been moved to Halesworth railway station. The Town Trail walk provides opportunity to discover the history of Halesworth. Halesworth is primarily centred on a pedestrianised, shopping street known as The Thoroughfare. "Thoroughfare" is an East Anglian term for the main street of a town - what would be commonly known elsewhere in the UK as the "high street". Each year the Thoroughfare hosts a popular food, drink and craft fair, termed the "Thoroughfair", to raise money for good causes. Halesworth's New Cut Arts, a centre for arts in the community, offers arts, music, theatre, dance, comedy, cinema, workshops and art exhibitions to the local area. It has a cafeteria and licensed bar and is a registered charity, relying on the support of the local community and its 500 club benefactors. The Cut is home to the Halesworth Arts Festival every October which features national and international artists of the highest calibre. 2011 is its 10th year and it attracts visitors from all over the South East. The venue also hosts the annual HighTide Festival in May, which presents world premieres of theatre productions by new writers. Halesworth also hosts the "Gig in the Park" which is a showcase of local, national, and international musical talent. The event was started by the Cult's bassist Jamie Stewart aka Jo Marshall and takes place over three days in August every year. Acts previously featured include Suzi Quattro, The Stranglers, The Beat, The Selecter and the Buzzcocks. The Jungle Tent features up and coming bands and DJs. It also features Stadium Rockers Frontbum. Halesworth has the largest Millennium Green in the UK with around 44 acre (178061.7 m2) of grazing marsh providing a haven for wildlife close to the town centre. The rivers in this area are home to herons, kingfishers and otters. Nearby villages include Cratfield, Wisset, Chediston, Walpole, Blyford, Linstead Parva], Wenhaston, Thorington, Spexhall, and Bramfield. The village of Holton is 1 mi (1.6 km) away with a large open space for walking called Holton Pits. |
