Peasenhall lies along a valley running east to west and Peasenhall’s main street (the A1120) runs alongside the ‘Causeway’ – a brook, which is now a culvert with bridges across it. On either side are pretty cottages, some in traditional Suffolk pink, some thatched, others slated or roofed with pantiles.

Peasenhall’s name is supposedly derived from ‘Pisenhalla’ – a valley where peas grow. There has been a settlement here since Roman times and the current population is around 540. Peasenhall’s first Pea Festival will take place on 26 July 2008.

The Church

St. Michael’s church has a dragon and club-wielding ‘wodewose’ or Wildman that lie in the spandrels of the main entrance. The church’s font, of octagonal design, is believed to be 12th century. The church was almost entirely rebuilt, apart from the 15th century tower, in 1860 by Mr. Brooke, the then squire of nearby Sibton Park.

For more information visit: www.suffolkchurches.co.uk/peasenhall.html

The Murder

Peasenhall was the scene of a murder mystery in 1902, when a maid named Rose Harsent was brutally killed and a local man, William Gardiner, was tried for the crime. However, the jury could reach only a majority verdict; as a unanimous verdict was needed a second trial took place, but with the same result, so the charge was dropped, the accused man left the village. The real murderer was never caught..

Celebrating the Smyths

In the 19th century, Peasenhall was the home of Smyth of Peasenhall. From 1800, three generations of Smyth built up a seed drill manufacturing business that operated for over 160 years. The agricultural farm machinery produced at the factory earned worldwide recognition for its innovation, efficiency and durability. Smyth of Peasenhall specialised in seed and manure drills. The seed drill is immortalised forever in the village sign at the junction with the road to Halesworth.

In June, Peasenhall and Sibton are celebrating the Smyth seed drill manufacturing business.

• On 26, 27, 28 June (10.00 a.m. - 4.30 p.m.) there will be an exhibition in Peasenhall Village Hall, with photographs, artefacts and archive material, as well as examples of the seed drill. The programme will also involve local schools.
• On Saturday, 28 June, (1-6 p.m.) in the grounds of The Hall, Rendham Road, Peasenhall, there will be music, face-painting, Nail Art, storytelling, theatre, stalls, raffle, games, refreshments.
  Contact Stephanie Liston 07713 786666 or Ann Daniels 01728 660159
• On Sunday, 29 June, (10.00 a.m. - 4.00 p.m.) White House Farm, Sibton will show its range of Smyth drills, as well as other historic farm equipment, some of it pre-19th century. There will be the raffle draw, a ‘gypsy encampment’, refreshments and more.
  Contact Gus Kitson 01728 660260.

Peasenhall Today

Today, Peasenhall may no longer have a pub – the nearest is only a 20 minute walk away, to The White Horse in Sibton - but it has the excellent Weavers’ Tea Rooms, and other fine shops such as Creasey’s the butcher, Emmett’s the grocer, the Village Stores/Post Office, ‘Campaign’ (a furnishings shop) – and even an art/antiques gallery! Villagers are fortunate, too, in having Whincop’s Garage and Saunders, the heating engineering company, to hand.

If you would like to find out more about Peasenhall then visited the Peasenhall Parish Council website

Many thanks to Ann Daniels who sent in this feature and photos and also to David Pearce for his work on the Parish Council website, if you would like your village featured on Village of the Month then email kerry.burn@onesuffolk.co.uk.