To Little Waldingfield on Thursday to meet a new resident and to admire and record a number of recent improvements. As can be seen from the pictures, builder, Mr David Oakley from Long Melford, has built a really beautiful wall round the churchyard, and the Parish Rooms have been refurbished by a team of volunteers.
While photographing the wall I was spotted by a kind resident of the village who brought me a cup of coffee and told me about the cottage (pictured) that runs along one side of the churchyard. (Many thanks for both the information and the coffee Chris!) The cottage was originally a run of four almshouses. Apparently the small window (one of two) that can be seen behind the cross was used by generous parishioners to leave food for the folk who inhabited the cottages. By putting the gifts through the little window anonymously embarrassment was avoided on all sides! As charity boards in St. Laurence’s Church testify, an organisation still exists in the village for delivery of wood to the inhabitants of the cottages, although funds have now been diverted to other purposes.
Little Waldingfield church is an absolute gem. The village was an important one in the period when the Suffolk Wool Trade was at its most active and the church reflects this. There was a building here in the Domesday Survey, but this was replaced in the 14th century. Little remains of this decorated church however, apart from the font and bell openings in the tower and much of what is seen today comes from extensive remodelling that took place in the 15th and 16th centuries. The pulpit is a fine 17th century example, and experts believe that it was made by the same craftsman that created pulpits in Milden and Edwardstone. There are also some good mediaeval brasses. Bosses in the roof include a gridiron for the patron saint, and also a green man! Wonderfully light, it is a great place to spend a few moments of quiet contemplation. Remember to take your binoculars however to spot the green man.
