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{{Short description|Town in Suffolk, England}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2016}}
{{Infobox UK place
| country = England
| coordinates = {{coord|52.206|1.579|display=inline,title}}
| official_name = Leiston
| population = 5,508
| population_ref = (2011 Census)
| civil_parish = Leiston
| shire_district = [[East Suffolk (district)|East Suffolk]]
| region = East of England
| shire_county = [[Suffolk]]
| constituency_westminster = [[Suffolk Coastal (UK Parliament constituency)|Suffolk Coastal]]
| post_town = LEISTON
| postcode_district = IP16
| postcode_area = IP
| dial_code = 01728
| os_grid_reference = TM445623
| static_image_name = Leiston St Margaret’s church - geograph.org.uk - 2102474.jpg
| static_image_caption = St Margaret’s Church
| type = Town
}}
'''Leiston''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|l|eɪ|s|t|ən}} {{respell|LAY|stən}}) is a town and [[civil parish]] in the [[East Suffolk (district)|East Suffolk]] district of [[Suffolk]], England. It is close to [[Saxmundham]] and [[Aldeburgh]], {{convert|21|mi|0}} north-east of [[Ipswich]] and {{convert|90|mi|0}} north-east of London. The town had a population of 5,508 at the 2011 Census.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadKeyFigures.do?a=7&b=11125554&c=Leiston&d=16&e=62&g=6467102&i=1001x1003x1032x1004&m=0&r=1&s=1442326684214&enc=1 |title=Town population 2011 |access-date=15 September 2015}}</ref>

==History==
The name Leiston derives from either the [[Old English]] ''legstūn'' meaning 'settlement near a [[beacon (signal fire)|beacon fire]]' or from the [[Old Norse]] personal name ''Leif'' and ''tūn'' meaning 'Leif's settlement'.<ref>http://kepn.nottingham.ac.uk/map/place/Suffolk/Leiston</ref>

The 14th-century remains of [[Leiston Abbey]] lie north-west of the town.<ref name="abbey">[http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/leiston-abbey/history-and-research/ Leiston Abbey], English Heritage. Retrieved 30 March 2011.</ref>

Leiston thrived in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as a manufacturing town, dominated by [[Richard Garrett & Sons]], owners of Leiston Works, which boasted the world's first flow assembly line, for the manufacture of [[portable steam engine]]s.<ref>{{Cite web |url= http://www.industriouseast.org.uk/index.php?pageId=147&anchor=164&filter=gb |title= Long Shop Museum |access-date= 30 March 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150601151902/http://www.industriouseast.org.uk/index.php?pageId=147&anchor=164&filter=gb |archive-date= 1 June 2015 |url-status= dead }}</ref><ref name=LSM>{{Cite web |title=Richard Garrett and Sons |url=http://www.longshopmuseum.co.uk/richard-garrett-and-sons/ |website=www.longshopmuseum.co.uk |publisher=Long Shop Museum |access-date=31 March 2016}}</ref> The firm also made steam [[tractor]]s and a huge variety of cast and machined metal products, including [[munitions]] during both [[world war]]s. The works closed in 1981 and the site was reused as a mixture of housing, flats and industrial sites. The [[Long Shop Museum]], showing the history, vehicles and products of the works, remains as a heritage tourist attraction.<ref name=LSM/>

In 1927, [[A. S. Neill]] relocated [[Summerhill School]] from [[Lyme Regis]] to Leiston. This was the first major "free school" – referring to freedom in education.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Summerhill School: Brief History |url=http://www.summerhillschool.co.uk |website=www.summerhillschool.co.uk |access-date=31 March 2016}}</ref> Children are not required to attend classes and discipline is meted by pupil self-government meetings. Summerhill has inspired a large "free school" movement and more recently, [[democratic schools]] in several countries. The school occupies the former mansion of Richard Garrett, owner of Leiston Works.

In the [[Second World War]], [[RAF Leiston]], {{convert|1|mi}} north-west of the town in the neighbouring village of [[Theberton]], sent fighter squadrons of the American 357th Fighter Group to fight the [[Luftwaffe]]. Famous American test pilot and fighter ace General [[Chuck Yeager]] (later, first to break the sound barrier) flew out of RAF Leiston. The Friends of Leiston Airfield hold a [[Funeral#Memorial services|memorial service]] and flying display at the end of May each year, with veterans and their families attending.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Friends of Leiston Airfield |url=http://www.friendsofleistonairfield.co.uk |website=www.friendsofleistonairfield.co.uk |access-date=31 March 2016}}</ref>

===Leiston Communist Party===
The '''Leiston Communist Party''' was a branch of the [[Communist Party of Great Britain]] founded in 1933,<ref>{{Cite web |last=admin |title=History CP early 50s early 60s – Page 17 – Graham Stevenson |url=https://grahamstevenson.me.uk/2010/11/03/history-cp-early-50s-early-60s/17/ |access-date=2024-09-24 |language=en-GB}}</ref> and included members such as [[Paxton Chadwick]] and [[A. L. Morton]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Suffolk Artists - CHADWICK, Albert Paxton |url=https://suffolkartists.co.uk/index.cgi?choice=painter&pid=906 |access-date=2024-09-24 |website=suffolkartists.co.uk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Ralph Dumain: "The Autodidact Project": Maurice Cornforth: "A. L. Morton—Portrait of a Marxist Historian" |url=http://www.autodidactproject.org/other/morton/morton_cornforth.html |access-date=2024-09-24 |website=www.autodidactproject.org}}</ref>

One of their first actions took place in February 1934 when they organised for the Norwich to London Hunger March. They also took part in the [[Burston Strike School]].

From 1935 the Leiston Communist Party organised a [[Popular front]] where they managed to defeat the well entrenched [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] majority on the local council. This unity continued for many years, and together they produced their own radical publication the ‘Leiston Leader’ with a circulation of 300-500 copies, and raising aid together for a variety of causes, but most importantly for the Spanish Civil War.<ref>{{Cite web |title=East of England YCL: a proud past and a bright future |url=https://challenge-magazine.org/2020/05/29/east-of-england-ycl-a-proud-past-and-a-bright-future/ |access-date=2024-09-24 |website=YCL |language=en-GB}}</ref> Due to its popularity in the area Leiston was nicknamed "[[Little Moscow]]".

==Governance==
There is an [[Wards and electoral divisions of the United Kingdom|electoral ward]] named Leiston, with a population at the 2011 census of 6,360.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.ukcensusdata.com/leiston-e05007209#sthash.4uWiVBZc.dpbs |title=Ward population 2011 |access-date=15 September 2015}}</ref>

In 1895 Leiston became an urban district under the name '''Leiston cum Sizewell''' which became part of the administrative county of [[East Suffolk (county)|East Suffolk]] in 1889, the district contained the parish of Leiston.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10135333|title=Relationships and changes Leiston Cum Sizewell UD through time|publisher=[[A Vision of Britain through Time]]|accessdate=8 August 2024}}</ref> On 1 April 1974 the district was abolished and became part of [[Suffolk Coastal]] in the [[non-metropolitan county]] of Suffolk.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1972/2039/schedule/part/35/made|title=The English Non-metropolitan Districts (Definition) Order 1972|publisher=[[legislation.gov.uk]]|accessdate=8 August 2024}}</ref> A [[successor parish]] was formed named "Leiston" covering the same area as the former district and its parish.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1973/1110/made|title=The Local Government (Successor Parishes) Order 1973|publisher=legislation.gov.uk|accessdate=8 August 2024}}</ref> In 2019 Leiston became part of East Suffolk district.

==Economy and community==
===Business===
Since the closure of Garrett's, the town's economy has been dominated by [[Sizewell nuclear power stations|two nuclear power stations]] on the coast at [[Sizewell]]: the now decommissioned [[Magnox]] reactors of Sizewell A, and the more modern 1,200 MW [[Pressurised Water Reactor]] of Sizewell B. The 850 MW [[Greater Gabbard wind farm|Greater Gabbard and Galloper offshore wind farm]]s connect to the Leiston substation adjacent to the Sizewell nuclear power station;<ref>{{cite web |title=Annual Report and Group Financial Statements |url=https://ggofto.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/210331-Greater-Gabbard-OFTO-Holdco-March-2021.pdf |publisher=Greater Gabbard OFTO |date=2021}}</ref> all supplying power to the 400kV [[National Grid (Great Britain)|National Grid]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Appendix B |url=https://www.nationalgrideso.com/document/181721/download |publisher=[[National Grid (Great Britain)]] |date=2 December 2020 |quote=Leiston 400 kV}}</ref>

A number of smaller companies operate from industrial areas within the town.

Leiston's High Street serves as the business and market hub of the surrounding agricultural district. The town's facilities include a post office, library, banks, pubs and a range of shops and other services.

===Transport===
A railway branch spur from the [[Great Eastern Railway|Great Eastern line]], known as the [[Aldeburgh branch line]], went from Saxmundham to Aldeburgh, with intermediate stations at Leiston and [[Thorpeness]]. On 12 September 1966 [[British Rail]] withdrew all passenger services to Leiston and beyond.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.aldeburghmuseumonline.co.uk/?page_id=34 |title=The Railway {{!}} Aldeburgh Museum Online |website=www.aldeburghmuseumonline.co.uk |access-date=1 March 2016}}</ref> However, the line to Leiston remained active for the purpose of removing nuclear materials from Sizewell power station.

Leiston has direct bus services to Ipswich, Saxmundham, Aldeburgh, Thorpeness and [[Halesworth]].

===Culture===
Leiston Film Theatre, a half-timbered building with street front shops, is the oldest purpose-built cinema in Suffolk. The cinema is owned and run by Leiston-cum-Sizewell Town Council and backed by Leiston Film Theatre Support Club, which has raised money for stage refurbishment and enabled the cinema to install a digital 3D projection system.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Leiston Film Theatre |url=https://film.list.co.uk/cinema/45594-leiston-film-theatre/ |website=film.list.co.uk |access-date=31 March 2016}}</ref>

The town has a traditional [[Anglican]] church, St Margaret's, with an ancient tower and an unusual 19th-century [[nave]]. There are [[Roman Catholic]] and [[Baptist]] churches on the edge of the town.

===Sport and leisure===
The town's football club is [[Leiston F.C.]], who as of the [[2023–24 in English football|2023–24 season]] play in the [[Southern Football League|Southern League Premier Central]]. In November 2008 the team reached the first round of the [[FA Cup]] for the first time in its history, drawing 0–0 with [[Fleetwood Town F.C.|Fleetwood Town]] before losing the replay 2–0.

Leiston also has a leisure centre, a [[skate park]] and several parks.

Leiston and Thorpeness Rugby Club was in existence in the late 1980s and early 1990s. It closed in 1995, but was revived in March 2010 as Aldeburgh and Thorpeness Rugby Club, with many of the previous club's members.

===Media===
Local news and television programmes are provided by [[BBC East]] and [[ITV Anglia]]. Television signals are received from the [[Tacolneston transmitting station|Tacolneston]] TV transmitter<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ukfree.tv/transmitters/tv/Tacolneston|title= Full Freeview on the Tacolneston (Norfolk, England) transmitter|date=1 May 2004|website=UK Free TV|accessdate=1 November 2023}}</ref> and via a local relay transmitter in [[Aldeburgh]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ukfree.tv/transmitters/tv/Aldeburgh|title=Freeview Light on the Aldeburgh (Suffolk, England) transmitter|date=1 May 2004|website=UK Free TV|accessdate=1 November 2023}}</ref>

Local radio stations are [[BBC Radio Suffolk]], [[Heart East]], [[Greatest Hits Radio East|Greatest Hits Radio Ipswich & Suffolk]], and Alde and Blyth Community Radio (ABC), a community based station.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.visit-leiston.co.uk/abc-alde-blyth-communityradio/#:~:text=ABC%20%E2%80%93%20Alde%20%26%20Blyth%20Community%20Radio%20%7C%20Community%20%7C%20Leiston%2C%20Suffolk|title=Alde and Blyth Community Radio |publisher=Visit Leiston |access-date=26 September 2023}}</ref> 

The town's local newspaper is the ''[[East Anglian Daily Times]]''.

===Education===
Other than [[Summerhill School]], Leiston also has conventional primary and secondary schools.

Leiston Primary School caters for pupils aged 5–11 and runs a nursery with 52 places.<ref name="lpsprofile">[http://www.suffolk.gov.uk/EducationAndLearning/Schools/ListOfSuffolkSchools/LeistonPrimarySchool.htm Leiston Primary School profile], Suffolk County Council. Retrieved 30 March 2011.</ref>

[[Alde Valley Academy]] is a secondary school with academy status, formerly known as Leiston Community High School, then as Alde Valley School from September 2012, after reorganisation involving the closure of Leiston Middle School and conversion from a 13–18 school to one taking pupils from the age of 11.<ref name="eadt06sep12">T. Potter (2012) [http://www.eadt.co.uk/news/leiston_pupils_take_first_lessons_in_new_look_high_school_1_1506110 Leiston: Pupils take first lessons in new-look high school], ''East Anglian Daily Times'', 6 September 2012. Retrieved 22 September 2012.</ref> The school received [[Academy (English school)|academy status]] in January 2015 and was renamed Alde Valley Academy.

In 2001 the school had become a [[Technology College|Specialist Technology College]], and in following years was named as one of the most improved schools in England. It was the lead school in the Schools Energy Network based at the Orbis Centre in [[Lowestoft]]<ref name="eadt19sep12">[http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/waveney_students_become_energy_ambassadors_1_1522602 Waveney students become energy ambassadors], ''Eastern Daily Press'', 19 September 2012. Retrieved 22 September 2012.</ref> and had strong links with the Sizewell nuclear power stations.<ref name="eadt20jan07">Green.D (2007) [http://www.eadt.co.uk/news/school_benefits_from_station_link_up_1_79206 School benefits from station link-up], ''East Anglian Daily Times'', 20 January 2007. Retrieved 17 December 2011.</ref>

==Notable people==
In birth order:
*[[Ranulf de Glanvill]] (died 1190), [[Chief Justiciar]] of England, founded [[Leiston Abbey]] for [[Premonstratensians|White Canons]] in 1183.
*[[Richard Garrett (1755–1839)]] founded the engineering company Richard Garrett and Sons in Leiston.
*[[Edward Buckton Lamb]] (1806–1869), architect, designed St Margaret's Church in Leiston.
*[[Newson Garrett]] (1812–1893), born in Leiston, built up the malting business whose premises were converted into the [[Snape Maltings]] concert hall.
*[[A. S. Neill]] (1883–1973), Scottish educationalist, founded the progressive [[Summerhill School]] in 1924 and moved it to Leiston in 1927. 
*[[M. E. Aldrich Rope]] (1891–1988), born and died in Leiston, was a stained-glass artist in the [[Arts and Crafts movement|Arts and Crafts]] tradition.
*[[Paxton Chadwick]] (1903–1961), artist and illustrator, taught at Summerhill and was Communist chair of Leiston Town Council.
*[[Steve Brennan]] (born 1951), darts player
*[[Ryan Meikle]] (born 1996), darts player

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.longshopmuseum.co.uk The Leiston Long Shop Museum]
*[http://www.leistonfilmtheatre.co.uk Suffolk's oldest cinema]
*[http://www.visit-leiston.co.uk Visit Leiston]
*[http://www.leistonabbey.co.uk Leiston Abbey]
*[http://www.aldevalley.suffolk.sch.uk/]

{{East Suffolk}}
{{Suffolk}}
{{authority control}}

[[Category:Leiston| ]]
[[Category:Towns in Suffolk]]
[[Category:Civil parishes in Suffolk]]
[[Category:Suffolk Coastal]]