People, on visiting Semer, often ask, “Where is the centre of the village”? There isn’t one, at least not in the sense of nearby Kersey or Bildeston.
The site of the village sign is as good as any, with manor, church, rectory site and river crossing all nearby.
There is no record of a pub in the village, although only up to a few years ago families were brewing their own beer, usually sharing the facilities and equipment. Semer today follows much the same pattern as those of 800AD, others became nucleated whereas ours didn’t.
In 1385 eleven men in Semer were found to be selling beer in illegal measures and cups. They were amerced (fined) 3d each in the manorial court.
* The series was started by SmokeyPugs, and I am grateful for the original idea and their encouragement in expanding the series.
If anybody would like to expand to this series please do. I would just ask that you let SmokeyPugsknow first so they can keep track of the Village Sign numbers and names to avoid duplication.