Gisleham

Holy Trinity Church

Gisleham church, Holy Trinity, is one of 38 existing round-tower churches in Suffolk. The church has a late Anglo-Saxon or early Norman round base topped with a 15th century octagonal brick crown. The medieval church was restored in 1861, 1887 and the chancel in 1902 to 1908. Holy Trinity has Grade I status.

Gisleham Manor House

Within the civil parish of Gisleham is a double moated site - Gisleham Manor. The moats are concentric, and surround rectangular enclosures. The manor is recorded from the 13th century onwards. Gisleham Manor House has been described as once a probable Fortified Manor House. There are earthwork remains. This site is a scheduled monument protected by law. The house and associated buildings of the manor are now demolished. However, the outer moat which is thought to have been infilled survived as a buried feature.

The lordship of Gisleham Manor House was held by a number of seven families in succession. The majority of moated sites served as prestigious aristocratic and seigneurial residences with the provision of a moat intended as a status symbol rather than a practical military defence.

The double moated site is of importance as it will retain archaeological information concerning its construction and occupation during the medieval and post-medieval periods, including details of the house which stood on the central platform. Organic materials, including evidence for the local environment in the past, are likely to be preserved in waterlogged deposits in the outer moat, and it is probable that buried soils beneath the raised surface of the central platform will provide evidence, also, for land use predating the construction of the moat.

Demographics

The first national census of 1801 records a population of 198 people within the parish of Gisleham. The population has increased since this time, but fell in the years of 1881, 1921 and 1931. In the 2001 national census, the parish had a population of 549 people - 267 males and 282 females. In the 2011 national census, the population had increased by 71%. There is now 778 people within the civil parish - 388 males and 390 females. The population density (number of people per hectare) of Gisleham is currently 1.2.

In the 2001 national census, the percentage of people who lived in Gisleham and identified as White British was 96% (533 people). However, this increased by 1% in the 2011 national census. The 2011 national census, records the percentage of the population who identify as being White British as 97% (753 people). Other ethnic groups from the 2011 national census include: 11 White Other, 5 Asian/Asian British, 4 White and Asian, 3 White and Black Caribbean, and 2 White Irish/White Irish Traveller

According to the 2011 national census, the religious faith of the civil parish is 57% Christian (441 people), and 43% either have no religion or did not state their faith (336 people). However, in the 2001 national census 3 people identified as being Muslim.

The 2001 national census, records the number of people who were born in England and live in Gisleham as 511 people, or 93% of the population. However, the 2011 national census records the number of people who were born in England and live in Gisleham as 740 people, or 95% of the population.

Housing

The 1831 national census records a number of 47 dwellings within the civil parish of Gisleham. In 1901, it had risen to 75. In 1961, it had risen to 187. The 2011 national census records a number of 318 dwellings. There are 147 detached households, 66 semi-detached households, 102 terraced households, and 13 apartments.

The 2011 national census records 161 households as deprived in some way, and 157 of households as not deprived. English is the first language in 98% of households (312 households). The living arrangements of the people of Gisleham include 438 people living as a couple, and 170 people who do not live as a couple (reasons include being separated, divorced, or widowed).

Industry

In 1831, occupations were grouped by social status. This included: 9 Employers and Professionals, 9 Middling Sorts, and 43 Labourers and Servants. The 1831 national census, simplified industry into four occupational categories which included: agriculture, manufacturing, retail and handicraft, and other. 52 people worked in agriculture, 0 people worked in manufacturing, 6 people worked in retail and handicraft and 3 people worked in other. The 'other' category included 2 capitalists and professionals, and 1 servant.

The 1881 national census records agriculture as the most popular occupation in Gisleham; 45 people worked in agriculture. Services were the second most popular occupation; 17 people worked in this industry. There were many occupations in Gisleham at this time that did not require more than one person to do the job, such as having only one blacksmith, wheelwright, and bricklayer. Also, there were a number of people who had unspecified work. Many of them, 51 to be exact, were women.

The 2001 national census recorded 229 people in employment. There were 173 people who were in full time employment, and 56 people who were in part time employment. However, this changed during the 2011 national census. The 2011 national census records 374 people in employment. There are 271 people who are in full time employment, and 103 people who are in part time employment.

Agriculture is no longer the most popular occupation, like it was in 1881, today only 10 people work in this field. The most popular occupation today is wholesale and retail trade; it is the occupation of 55 people. The second most popular occupation is human health and social work activities; 40 people work here. The most popular method of transport into work is driving. For those who are not economically active: 91 are retired, 18 are full time students, 27 look after home or family, 29 people are long-term sick or disabled, and 27 are unemployed.