Cantley's name is of Anglo-Saxon origin and derives from the Old English for Canta's glade or meadow.[1]
In the Domesday Book of 1086, Cantley is recorded as a settlement of 58 households located in the hundred of Blofield. In 1086, the village was part of the estates of King William I.[2]
There are two historic manors, Cantley Netherhall and Cantley Uphall.[3] Currently, the Lord of the manor of Cantley Netherhall is Franck Rallu, resident in France.[4]
In April 1935, the parish absorbed Limpenhoe and Southwood into a larger parish.[5] In 1931, the parish (prior to the merger) had a population of 291.[6]
Geography
According to the 2021 census, Cantley has a population of 511 people which shows a slight increase from the 504 people recorded in the 2011 census.[7]
The majority of local children attend Cantley Primary School and is part of the Coastal Together Federation of local primary schools. In 2021, the school was rated as 'Good' by Ofsted.[8]
Cantley's parish church is dedicated to Saint Margaret and dates from the 14th century. St Margaret's is located on Church Road and has been Grade II listed since 1962.[9] The church was significantly remodelled in the 19th century.[10]
Within St Margaret's Churchyard there are two listed monuments including a tombstone with a stone coffin lid[11] and a further coffin lid emblazoned with fleur-de-lys.[12]
Cantley Sugar Factory
In 1912 the Cantley Sugar Factory was founded by the Dutch company Algemene Suikermaatschappij (ASMij). ASMij had been founded in 1908 to concentrate the Dutch beet sugar industry and remove surplus capacity. To achieve this, it also bought the already closed down Dordrecht Sugar Factory. The machinery of this factory was then shipped to England to become part of Cantley Sugar Factory.[13]
Cantley Sugar Factory was founded in 1912. It was not successful and closed down in 1916. After the English Beet Sugar Corporation was founded, Cantley Sugar Factory was reopened in 1920. The site is still in operation today by British Sugar, forming one of the four British sugar processing factories.[14]
Notable residents
Edward B. Evans (1846-1922) – army officer and stamp collector, died in Cantley.
Fred Judd (1914-1992) – inventor and amateur radio enthusiast, lived in Cantley.
Cantley's war memorial is split across two marble plaques located inside St Margaret's Church. The following men are listed for the First World War:[15]
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