Lakenheath, Suffolk
Lakenheath is a village and parish in the west of Suffolk. It is situated close to the county boundaries of both Norfolk and Cambridgeshire, and at the meeting point of the Fens and the Breckland.
During the Ice Age, the River Bytham flowed through the area that is now Lakenheath, depositing much of the modern geology found in the area.
Excavation of three early Anglo-Saxon cemeteries at RAF Lakenheath between 1997 and 2002 uncovered a total of 394 burials, including one 6th.century grave of a man buried next to a fully armoured horse and 17 cremation.
Created in 1996, Lakenheath Fen Nature Reserve, restored wetlands from agricultural fields that were growing crops. In May 2007, it was reported that cranes were nesting at the site for the first time since the fen lands were drained in the 16th. century.
Lakenheath is host to the largest USAF base in the United Kingdom, RAF Lakenheath. The United States has maintained a presence in the community since bombers were stationed there during WW II, conducting raids on Europe. The base is presently home to the 48th. Fighter Wing, named the 'Liberty Wing' and has a population of around 6,000 service personnel.
The village sign depicts of a number of features of the village including a bittern hidden in the reeds, along with the golden oriole whose only breeding site in the UK is at Lakenheath Fen. The church of St. Mary and the War Memorial are featured. Flying over the village is a RAF Stirling bomber which flew from the airfield during WW II with 149 Sqn. and 199 Sqn.
Lakenheath, Suffolk
Lakenheath is a village and parish in the west of Suffolk. It is situated close to the county boundaries of both Norfolk and Cambridgeshire, and at the meeting point of the Fens and the Breckland.
During the Ice Age, the River Bytham flowed through the area that is now Lakenheath, depositing much of the modern geology found in the area.
Excavation of three early Anglo-Saxon cemeteries at RAF Lakenheath between 1997 and 2002 uncovered a total of 394 burials, including one 6th.century grave of a man buried next to a fully armoured horse and 17 cremation.
Created in 1996, Lakenheath Fen Nature Reserve, restored wetlands from agricultural fields that were growing crops. In May 2007, it was reported that cranes were nesting at the site for the first time since the fen lands were drained in the 16th. century.
Lakenheath is host to the largest USAF base in the United Kingdom, RAF Lakenheath. The United States has maintained a presence in the community since bombers were stationed there during WW II, conducting raids on Europe. The base is presently home to the 48th. Fighter Wing, named the 'Liberty Wing' and has a population of around 6,000 service personnel.
The village sign depicts of a number of features of the village including a bittern hidden in the reeds, along with the golden oriole whose only breeding site in the UK is at Lakenheath Fen. The church of St. Mary and the War Memorial are featured. Flying over the village is a RAF Stirling bomber which flew from the airfield during WW II with 149 Sqn. and 199 Sqn.