Loddon is a small town in Eastern England, about 19 kilometres southeast of Norwich City. River Chet is the most notable physical feature, from which the name Loddon (Muddy River in Celtic) originates. The town formation dates back to 1042/3 when Ælfric Modercope included it in his will as part of his estates. The town has since grown into a vibrant local area in East England and many people come from London over the weekend.
Local Administration
The town falls under the Loddon Parish Council, situated within the South Norfolk District and the Broads Authority in Norfolk Shire County. All social amenities (police and fire services) come from Norfolk County. The region is represented in the UK Parliament as South Norfolk, East of England. To honour the father of the town, the local authority included Ælfric on the town’s emblem in 1961. They later made a bronze statue in his honour, which is still there today, facing Farthing Green. According to the 2011 census, Loddon has over 2,600 people. The number has since grown, with a good number being the youth. Due to its physical features, much of the population concentration is along the river. It provides a good ambience, making the river a lifeline for the surrounding communities. Loddon town is surrounded by Chedgrave, which is less than a kilometre away, Hales (2 km away) and Thurton (4 km away). Others include Mundharm (4.5 km), Thurlton (5.6km) and Seething (4.8 Km)
Amenities
Schools
The town has 3 public schools; the Loddon Infant and Nursery, Loddon Junior School and Hobart High School. There are also private and independent schools to cater for the high population, among them the Langley School.
Transport
Loddon is connected to the rest of England through the A146 North East to Norwich. Another transport corridor includes the A143 and B1136 east towards the Great Yarmouth. Busses like Konectbus ply on these routes to link these eastern districts. River Chet also provides a waterway which offers transport across the corridor.
Sports
The English culture is rich in sports, which also applies to Loddon. There are several football teams, but Loddon United is the most notable. Its home ground is “The Jub” at St Georges Lane. Other sports in this town include hockey, squash, swimming, cricket, bowls, tennis, badminton and volleyball. The list also includes karate, yoga, athletics, darts and gymnastics. Hobart High School gym is central to these sporting activities, as it is open to the public.
Economic Activity
Local Industries
It is a small town and therefore has a sizable number of industries. Before the surging population, there used to be an egg packing factory and corn grinding. It also had a brick works and gas factory, which have since died or relocated. However, with River Chet passing through the town, there are several boat-building workshops. They roar up the sleepy town, especially in the summer. The town also has small engineering companies. They provide livelihoods for the local population, although they have been gradually relocating due to lack of space. Nevertheless, general trading and service industries still have a place in the town. The Loddon District Business Association was formed in 2011, comprising small companies. They aim to consolidate and provide services and livelihoods to the local population.
Tourism
River Chet is a good feature for water sporting. It is a vital boat racing tourism infrastructure in the larger Broads area and the South Norfolk District. People from all over England travel east to enjoy boating events. As the river flows downstream, the Harley Flood has several bird species. People from all over the UK come to bird-watch and replenish their knowledge of these avian species.
Notable Landmarks in Loddon
Holy Trinity Church
The church is one of the most visible buildings in the town. The church was built in the late 15th century by Sir Robert Hobart. It is classic, with flintwork outside and a hammerbeam roof in the interior. Other notable features include a painted rood, Jacobean pulpit, table-top tombs and baptismal font. History believes that the church was a replacement for an earlier Norman church originally built in 630AD.
Old Town Hall
It was opened in August of 1870 to serve as a social hall. Any public session and administrative gatherings were held in the hall.
Watermill
Before the current watermill, there were 2 others, although no one knows their exact locations. The current one was built in the 18th century and was among the earliest recorded structures in the town. Although it has since stopped working, it was big enough to cater to the locals’ milling needs. It still retains the original equipment and structures to date.
Travel Guide
