The
new Village Sign was erected in April, 2003. It has two identical faces, cast
in light metal, that show painted panels in relief. These panels symbolise
the developmental history of Botesdale. The sign is mounted on a brick/pebble
plinth and supported by an oak post.
The modern name of Botesdale appears on the sign although many villagers still
refer to it by its former name of Buddesdale. It is generally assumed that
the village derived this name from St Botolph, and was formerly known as St
Botolph's Dale but other sources cite a local tribal chief called Botwulf
who gave the early hamlet the name Botwulf's Dale.
The coach and horses featured at the top of the sign refer to the time when
the village was on a main coaching route and the Post Mill signifies the strong
presence of six Botesdale windmills, none of which have survived.
The figure of St Botolph
at the lower-centre is shown in a traditional form of abbey and monastic order.
Hence the scroll and the model building. The depiction is of the exact monastic
order to which St Botolph belonged, namely the Benedictine Order but the church
is merely symbolic.
The ears of wheat and vegetables refer to the long-standing agricultural activities
in Botesdale whilst the books and mathematical instruments indicate the links
with the several scholastic establishments that have been in the village,
most notably the Grammar School, founded by Sir Nicholas Bacon (Keeper of
the Seal to Elizabeth I) in 1561. The parents of each child entered into the
Grammar School had to provide, amongst other things, books, pen and ink and
candles. The building housing the Grammar School was returned to the village
in 1883. It is now known as The Chapel of Ease.
The wild flowers
shown on the sign are purely for decorative purposes.
(With acknowledgement to Mr Brian Chandler)
