>I actually come from Beaconsfield, which is pronounced Beckonsfield. I was told recently that there is a Beaconsfield Avenue in San Francisco. How's it pronounced there?

Can't help there, Bingley, but the town of Beaconsfield near Melbourne, Australia is pronounced Beekonsfield.

And I've heard a few people here, exclusively "older generation" I think, pronounced "ate" as "et".