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Wednesday 1st October, 7pm, parish church
-the Licensing of Reverend Susan Loxton
the new priest-in-charge of the
Fressingfield group of parishes 

Congratulations Fressingfield
- winner of Mid Suffolk
Village of the Year 2008
and also finalist for the Suffolk heat

Rural Ruminations from Fressingfield

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Fressingfield is a pretty village in high Suffolk, 12 miles east of Diss and the A140 and just 40 minutes drive from the coast at Southwold. It has a population of over 900, a mixture of long established local families, who have lived here for generations, and a substantial number of people who have moved into the area from London and the home counties since electrification of the Norwich to Liverpool Street line in the 1980s.

The village is compact, at the junction of 5 roads, with shops, churches, garage, medical centre and school all within easy walking distance, with open countryside beyond.

It is still predominantly an agricultural community, mainly arable, pig and poultry farming but although many small businesses thrive in the village, many residents commute to local towns or indeed to London for work. We have a real village community, with a wide range of activities, making Fressingfield attractive to all ages. The modern primary school, with its nursery unit, serves 130 children from this and surrounding villages. We have 2 toddler groups and a private nursery for the under fives; also brownies, beavers, cubs and scouts as well as thriving church youth clubs.

For the slightly older, there are the Women's Institute, Mothers' Union, Royal British Legion and over 50s Luncheon Club amongst others. All welcome new members!

The Sports and Social Club provides a well stocked bar for its regulars, as well as being home to the Bowls Cub, Tennis Club, darts team and Friendly Club. Adjoining it are tennis courts, a football pitch, bowling green and a well-equipped children's play area.

We have at the moment 2 shops, the Fressingfield Stores and The Pottery.  The modern medical centre houses 3 doctors and attending team, a dispensary and a full range of clinics.

There are 3 lively churches in the village, with Anglican, Baptist and Methodist congregations joining together regularly under the banner 'Fressingfield for Christ'.

Fressingfield has long been known for good food and drink. We once had 5 public houses. Today we are served by The Swan Inn and the famous restaurant, The Fox and Goose, situated in what was formerly the Elizabethan Guildhall. We even have our own vineyard!

Fressingfield is the perfect base from which to explore both Norfolk and Suffolk.  There is accommodation for visitors to the area at Priory House, Elm Lodge, Oak Hill Granary, Jolly Farmers, Street Farm Cottage, Gables Farm and Chippenhall Hall,

Whitehall is a recently registered, quiet and friendly caravan site, just outside the village. 

Many events take place regularly around us.  Last year we celebrated the third Fressingfield Garden Festival and this September sees the fourth Fressingfield Music Festival.  Our Inter-Village Games cater for the more athletic.  We have 3 carol services at Christmas time, an annual Ladies' Lunch and Ladies' Supper, organised by the men of the village; also Men's Breakfasts, served by the ladies, the School Christmas Fair and many fundraising activities, including the reincarnation of the Fressingfield Fete this year. The annual New Year's Day Sponsored Dog Walk has to date raised more than £40,000 for Macmillan cancer relief.

We have a lively parish council, with 13 elected members. Meetings are held at the Sancroft Hall, 7.30pm on the third Tuesday of January, March, May, July, September, and November. Everyone is very welcome. The town of Harleston, with many more activities, is only 4 miles away.

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