Village signs is a series of caches based on the ornate signs that depict the heritage, history and culture of the villages that put them up (normally on the village green!).
The signs can be made of different materials from fibreglass to wood, from forged steel to stone. They can depict anything from local industry to historical events. The tradition probably stated in Norfolk or Suffolk and has now spread across most of the country so we thought we would base a series on them!
The following is taken from Wikipedia. Earsham is a small village in Norfolk, England. Its postal town is the nearby Bungay, Suffolk. It covers an area of 12.65 km2 (4.88 sq mi) and had a population of 907 in 357 households at the 2001 census,[1] the population falling to 882 at the 2011 census.[2] An electoral ward in the same name exists. This ward stretches south to Wortwell and had a total population taken at the 2011 Census of 2,444.[4] Earsham's name refers to its position within a stubble or earsh field in which plant material - wheat, barley or rye had been cut leaving a short stubble or short stalks.[5][6]
Earsham village sign features the watermill situated on the River Waveny to the North of the village. There is plenty of off road parking next to GZ.
Earsham Mill dates from Saxon times and adjoins ancient earthworks. It was a brick built mill with a pantile roof. Along with Ditchingham and Ellingham, it was one of the only three Norfolk watermills on the Waveney.
The mill was rebuilt by R. H. Clarke on the existing site in 1862. It was fitted with 12 pairs of stones powered by a waterwheel and a steam engine. A roller plant manufactured by Whitman & Binyon was installed in 1893. At this time, flour from Earsham was being sent to Newcastle by water transport.
If anybody would like to expand this series please do. I would just ask that you let Smokeypugs know first so they can keep track of the Village Sign numbers and names to avoid duplication.