Page updated 9th March 2010

The Village Sign indicates some aspects of Pettaugh's history

 

	•	The Windmill -- long since gone -- was a Post Mill, and was situated behind the Village Shop
	•	The Doomsday Book -- which included a description of Pettaugh and was completed for William the Conqueror in 1086
	•	The Anvil -- indicating the existence of a blacksmith in the village
	•	The Farmer, with his horse-drawn plough, working the farmland around Pettaugh, and reflecting the dominant occupation of the people of Pettaugh for hundreds of years

 

 

What do we know about the history of Pettaugh, besides these brief, visual reminders?  For starters, here's a potted, chronological history:

• 1st or 2nd Century -- a Roman Road costructed through what is now Pettaugh, perhaps part of a road from Colchester in Essex to Burgh Castle in Norfolk?
• 11th Century -- Pettaugh included in the Doomsday Book, completed for William the Conqueror in 1086
• 14th Century -- St Catherine's Church built
• ??? The road through the village was tarred for the first time. 
• ??? The telephone arrived in the village. 
• ??? Electricity arrived in the main part of the village.
• ??? Mains water arrived. 
• 1995 Erection of the Village sign -- see picture above
• 2000  Millennium Booklet -- it had a picture of every house in the village and its occupants (if willing) -- a copy of the booklet was given to every household and a commemorative mug was given to every child.  The photographs were all taken by David Mitchell, and publication of the booklet was sponsored by the Pettaugh Parish Council
• 2002 Queen's Golden Jubilee -- the Parish Council organised a celebration at Laffitts Hall on the special Bank Holiday, 4th June 2002. Cllr Carole Maran was put in charge of chairing the meetings which were made up of volunteers from the village; she also applied for lottery funding on behalf of the parish council which was successfully granted. A marquee was hired and erected in the grounds and the event was designed to be an exact replica of Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee, which was held in the grounds of Laffitts Hall!  Following patient tuition by Alan Page, a group demonstrated Country Dancing and there were children's games and a children's entertainer.  People were invited to bring a picnic and Alan Page baked a large celebration fruit cake, and there was a toast of port to mark the occasion.  Perhaps someone has a copy of the group photos taken on both occasions?!

As you can see, our 'potted history' is incomplete!  If you can fill in any of the missing dates, or add other events, please contact us!  And of course, if you have any photos of Pettaugh in 'times gone by' we'd be delighted to add them to the website! 

Pettaugh History Society

Pettaugh History Society was set up in 2009 by Dr. Hilary Marlow and Richard Clark, initially as a ‘vehicle’ to help publish their first book ‘Pettaugh Preserved’.

A constitution and committee was established in April 2009 with the intention of carrying out further research into the history of the village and surroundings. The Society intends to hold regular meetings and talks of local interest.

The first publication from Pettaugh History Society, “Pettaugh Preserved”, was launched by at the Pettaugh Church Meadow Fair on Saturday 11th July 2009, and was very well received. By the end of 2009 over 300 copies had been sold!

The inaugural meeting of the Pettaugh History Society was held on 18th November 2009 at Winston School Room, and was attended by 32! The next meeting was in February 2010 and others are planned – check the Pettaugh History Society website for details.

For information about joining the society, details of meetings or purchasing ‘Pettaugh Preserved’, visit the website or contact: Pettaugh History Society, School Cottage, Pettaugh, Suffolk, IP14 6DJ
Secretary: Mrs. Margaret Marlow, 5 Mill Field, Pettaugh, Suffolk, IP14 6JB
Email: Pettaughhistory@btinternet.com 
Website: www.pettaugh-history.org.uk

Meetinga are held at Winston School Room -- non-members welcome (contribution requested £2.50; members free).   Winston School Room is situated just off the B1077 to Debenham on the lane which leads to Winston Church.  The postcode is IP14 6NG.  The car park is next to the school room (a grassy area immediately past the school room) and as there is limited outside lighting, a torch is advised.