Cley-next-the-Sea
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Cley-next-the-Sea is a crucial stopover point for migratory birds and a unique habitat for a specialised resident bird population. For bird watchers, Cley is a mecca. It is also a beautiful coastal village - flint cottages and houses, a mediaeval church - bringing in visitors all the year round. It's motif is a windmill edging on to the marsh. In mediaeval times Cley was a significant port on the Glaven estuary. The tide entered the estuary as far as Glandford. Ships of considerable size, up to 130 tons, docked at quays and wharfs around Newgate Green, below the church and the Swallows pub, and across the estuary at Wiveton. Cargoes of fish, spices, oriental cloths, coal, timber and oilcake where discharged into warehouses before transport inland. Amongst goods exported would be barley, oats and malt. In 1570 Cley possessed 13 ships and 65 mariners, with a population of 450. However, the port gradually silted up leaving only marshland between the villages, as it is today. St. Margaret's church, overlooking Newgate Green on the southern edge of the village (below), dates from about 1250, and rebuilt in the 14th century. The south transept has been in ruins since the 16th century. J. McShann. |
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