Feltwell village sign and almshouses

Image: © Adrian S Pye Taken: 29 Mar 2021

The name Feltwell is derived from the Saxon meaning "the settlement in the meadow by the stream“. In the background is the church of St Nicholas as it was before the tower collapsed. Sheep graze in the meadow by the stream. The tree depicted was estimated to be 1300 years old when felled on 23rd April, 1964. The girth measured over 32 feet. (My great Uncle lived in the village and I remember climbing it when I was 9 or 10 years old.) The lady with the hunting dogs is Alveva, a Saxon lady who owned part of Feltwell and Hockwold at the time of the Norman Conquest. Her daughter, Aldgyta, married Harold, son of Godwin, who became King. On the spandrels are the sign are two coats of arms, Moundeford and Clough. The truncated shepherd's crook carved on the face of the supporting post is in tribute to Edward Atmere, a shepherd, who in 1579, gave £60 for the purchase of land, the rent from which was to be paid to the churchwardens of Foulden, Northwold, Feltwell, Weeting and Brandon for the use of the poor. Thanks to A. J. Orange who designed the sign. https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/6790712

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