This month, our village of the month is Fornham All Saints, situated 2 miles north of Bury St Edmunds.

The main part of the village is set along the B1106 between Bury St Edmunds and Great Barton.

Church
The present building has many 13th century exterior features and was built on the site of an earlier saxon church, a saxon coffin was found to the base of the tower. Prior to the reformation the church was the possession of the great Benedictine Abbey at Bury St Edmunds. Although many features were destroyed during the 16th and 17th centuries, careful restoration has meant some can still be enjoyed today.

History
Fornham was the site of a battle in 1173, the only documented pitched battle to have been fought in Suffolk. It has been said that 10,000 Flemings lost their lives during the battle and many bones have been found, some in mass graves. Moyses Hall Museum, in Bury St Edmunds, has a sword and there are records of daggers and arrowheads found on the site too. The battle of Fornham was the turning point in the rebellion against Henry II. The Earl and Countess of Leicester and their main supporters at Fornham were taken prisoner to Henry in Normandy, and truces were arranged with other rebellious barons.

Today
Fornham like many other villages has seen the closure of its village shop but the Post Office, along with the full range of counter services also stocks a small range of cards, sweets, snacks and newspapers. The Three Kings Public House provides good food and a friendly atmosphere, it also has a separate restaurant,  courtyard garden, conservatory and provides accommodation. The village also boasts two golf courses and an array of social activities taking place in both the Village Hall and Community Centre.