Pakenham History : Pakenham-Village of Two Mills - NR Whitwell

Refer to Parish Boundaries, Roman Roads and Fort complex. See also Rights of Way in Pakenham Parish (numbered).

Area of the Parish: 3711 acres.

Population

In 1951 the population was 679
In 1961 the population was 862 (up 27%)
In 1971 the population was 981 (up 14%)
In 1981 the population was 1016 (latest Census figures)

In 1971 the age of Residents ..
between 0-14 was 265 (27%)
between 15-44 was 373 (38%)
between 45-65 was 230 (23%)
more than 65 was 113 (12%)

Housing

There are 406 dwellings in the Parish, which is a marked increase in the number recorded in 1961, when there were 282 dwellings, and 320 in 1971.

Of the known occupancy type, 63% are owner occupied, 23% are Council owned and 14% are privately rented.

In 1971 the position was: 50% owner occupied, 30% Council owned and 20% privately rented.

Employment

In 1978, 86 people were employed within the Parish, of which 57 worked in construction and 29 in the Armed Services. 63 of the people were men and 23 women.

A further 53 persons were employed in Agriculture (34 male, 19 female).

Planning policy

As part of the Suffolk County Council Structure Plan, Settlement Policy, Pakenham (Street) is defined as an Other Village, whilst the rest of the Parish is classified as a Rural Area.

This Policy guides the future development of the area. It really means that only in "The Street" of Pakenham will development be permitted, and this will be restricted to single infilling. The rest of the Parish is a "Rural Area" where no further development is permitted, in order to preserve the character of the Suffolk countryside.

Transport

Pakenham is situated between the A45 Trunk Road to the south and the A143 to the north. The A45 leads directly to Cambridge and the Midlands westwards, Ipswich and Felixstowe eastwards. The A143 connects Bury St. Edmunds with Diss, Norwich and the East Coast. Thus, long distance routes serve the village by the two major roads, whilst the local bus service comes through the village on a regular service timetable.

Thurston railway station, being within 1.5 miles of the village, serves the village for passengers travelling to Stowmarket or Cambridge for the main line to London, or to the continent via Felixstowe and Harwich.

Accommodation

Nether Hall Country Club provides for the needs of its members and their wives who enjoy comfortable accommodation in suites with modern facilities. Out in the adjoining estate, they have the advantage of pheasant shooting, fishing the two acre lake, and pleasant country walks around the parklands. More has been written of this country Tudor Mansion under Manors of Pakenham.

Hamling House Hotel was built by a local architect in 1975 and has now been established as an At Home Hotel with a high standard of accommodation, boasting good food and service. It stands in 3.5 acres of garden overlooking Bull Corner.

At Upper Town, a hamlet of very old charming cottages standing on the Roman Road just outside the village, are self-catering cottages which have been completely restored, revealing inglenook fireplaces and very old ships' timbers. With their modern facilities, they have become very popular for holidaymakers, foreign visitors, and those in process of selling or buying their own houses. The BBC hired them all when filming The Murder in the Red Barn and other Suffolk features.

Down by the riverside and adjacent to the Watermill is a camping ground, where caravans and tents enjoy quiet and peaceful surroundings.