All photos can be enlarged for detail, and look much better that way.

The Suffolk coastal town of Aldeburgh has been a settlement since Roman times, when it was used for the production of salt. It later became very prosperous, and was a thriving fishing town. The local museum is housed in the Moot Hall. (Meeting hall). This building dates from 1520, though the brick chimneys were added much later.

We arrived on a rather grey and windy day, though the sun did appear later that afternoon. There is still a small fishing industry operating there. Because of the shingle beach, and the absence of a harbour, boats have to be lowered into and raised from the water, using tractors on the beach.

My cousin and her daughter took their spaniels down to the water. The dogs, Jess and Dennis, were enjoying the change of scene.

Meanwhile, Julie was browsing the fresh fish shops along the front, where she bought the ingredients to make a fish pie.

Not all of the boats there are seaworthy. These two look as if they have been abandoned to the elements.

Aldeburgh (pronounced All-bruh) has enjoyed a recent popularity as a place where wealthy southerners buy second homes. House prices in the area have increased dramatically, and the shops in the town also reflect the needs of their rich customers. The town is mostly associated with the famous composer, Benjamin Britten. He went to live there in 1942, and later founded the renowned Aldeburgh Festival. He died there, and is buried in the town. It was also the home of Ruth Rendell, the popular author.

Along the beach is a sculpture in the shape of a scallop shell, erected as a tribute to Benjamin Britten.

Despite looking dramatic in its isolated setting, many residents have complained about this sculpture, and it has often been vandalised. This is a section from Wikipedia, explaining the controversy.

“On Aldeburgh’s beach, a short distance north of the town centre, stands a sculpture, The Scallop, dedicated to Benjamin Britten, who used to walk along the beach in the afternoons. Created from stainless steel by Suffolk-based artist Maggi Hambling, it stands 15 feet (4.6 metres) high, and was unveiled in November 2003. The piece is made up of two interlocking scallop shells, each broken, the upright shell being pierced with the words: “I hear those voices that will not be drowned”, which are taken from Britten’s opera Peter Grimes. The sculpture is meant to be enjoyed both visually and tactilely, and people are encouraged to sit on it and watch the sea. Approached along the road from the Thorpeness direction it has a totally different silhouette appearing to be a knight on a rearing charger. The sculpture is controversial in the local area,[22] with some local residents considering it spoiling the beach. It has been vandalised with graffiti and paint on 13 occasions. There have been petitions for its removal and for its retention.”

So, a snapshot of an attractive English town. If you are ever close by, I recommend a visit.

*Photo information, for those interested. I used the Fuji X 30 camera that day, with all shots taken on Aperture Priority setting, mostly at F 5.6. I did not use any film simulation modes, just the standard setting. All these are straight j-pegs from the camera, with no alteration other than to reduce the file sizes by 50%.