DebenhamVillage Sign
The Village Sign was erected by the villagers in 1977 to commemorate the Silver Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth. It is bridge-shaped, depicting the bridge over the River Deben, which has its source here. Wheat sheaves decorate each end of the "bridge" for the heavy clay soil produces some of the world's largest yields of wheat and barley. At each end of the bridge, against the wheat sheaves, watermill wheels add to the attractiveness. Under the centre of the bridge flows the rippled water of the Deben, which trickles alongside the main street. Water Lane is often submerged. A replica of the 14th Century Church of St. Mary Magdalene stands on the skyline, on the other side is the model of the old Guildhall, one of the picturesque timber-framed buildings dating from the 14th to 17th centuries. The bottom of the bridge is joined with the arched nameband, gold on brown. This unusual design has a gold ram on the top, denoting the 17th century wealth of Debenham from the wool trade. 1
The sign was designed and made by local engineer Keith Bloomfield.
Citations
- [S299] Shirley M. Addy & Maureen Long, Suffolk Signs Book 2, Page 13.
