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.

History

William Sancroft, the village's most famous son, was born at Ufford Hall on 30th January 1617. He became Dean of St Paul's Cathedral in 1664, greatly assisting with its rebuilding after the Great Fire. From 1678 he was Archbishop of Canterbury, crowning James II in 1685. Following the glorious Revolution of 1688, having already given allegiance to James, he felt unable to swear a new oath to William and Mary and was deposed as Archbishop in 1690, returning to Ufford Hall where he died on 24th November 1693. William Sancroft made financial provision for the spiritual, education and administrative care of Fressingfield: in his arrangements the Vicar, a Village Schoolmaster and the Parish Clerk.

Fressingfield today

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 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 for special events.

The village 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 Tudor Guildhall.  We even have our own vineyard!

Fressingfield is also renowned for its festivals and events, drawing people into the village from many miles around. We have just enjoyed a magnificent Tudor Event to commemorate the 500th Anniversary of the building of our guildhall.  In recent years we have celebrated 3 Fressingfield Garden Festivals and this September sees the fifth Fressingfield Music Festival, with musicians such as cellist Julian Lloyd Webber in attendance. These events started when over £100,000 was needed to restore the church bells of St Peter and St Paul, Fressingfield but restoration has now taken place and the events have made such an impression that they will continue.

To find out more visit the Fressingfield website

Many thanks to Virginia Skoyles who sent in this feature and photos, if you would like your village featured on Village of the Month then email kerry.burn@onesuffolk.co.uk.