New Village Sign for Fritton

Village scoops big grant to replace fading sign

sign latest

The Fritton sign was first erected on the roadside close to St Edmunds Church back in 1986.A Norfolk village is set to showcase a new sign thanks to a generous grant.

But years of exposure to harsh weather conditions has seen it decay beyond repair.

Now, thanks to a £4,000 cash boost from the Greater Yarmouth Tourism and Business Improvement Area (GYTABIA), a fresh sign is being created using the expertise of north Norfolk artist Fiona Davies.

Ms Davies is producing the fibreglass sign to mirror the sophisticated carvings of the original – depicting the historical church, military associations and the wildfowling husbandry carried out on the lake at Fritton Decoy during medieval times.

The old sign was maintained and repaired at various intervals by members of the parish council before it became impossible to resurrect.

It will be preserved by Ms Davies and given a basic undercoat before being returned to the village to be repainted by the community and displayed in the village hall.

Ms Davies, who has revived more than 24 village signs over the past six years, is now in the process of making the mould for the new sign, which will be detailed with acrylic paint and protected with car lacquer.

The GYTABIA grant comes as part of a drive to attract visitors to the area and to boost the local economy.

Its chairman Gareth Brown said: “Fritton has a rich heritage, which must be preserved. It is a village with its own unique attractions that visitors to our area can enjoy and a sign depicting the wealth of history attached to it is the perfect way of showing that.

“One relatively new attraction is the Fritton Owl Sanctuary, situated inside the Fritton Plant Centre, a fantastic free experience for the whole family to enjoy.”

Keith Nunn, parish councillor said: “We are a village of a few hundred people and we are forever trying to raise funds. We were so pleasantly surprised to receive the grant. We have got some fantastic businesses here and we are hoping it will create some interest.”

The new sign will be unveiled during late summer.