Bildeston
Old sign now repositioned outside the church
New sign in village centre, replacing the old sign
The Old Sign
The old sign was moved to a new location outside the church. The sign is a wood carving showing Bild(er)'s head at the top with the clock tower underneath on the left and the church tower on the right. The sign was originally erected in 2005.
The New Sign
The sign was unveiled on Saturday 9th July 2022 located on the corner of the High Street and Ipswich Road. The sign was donated by TMJ Interiors and Heathpatch. The village Sign People made the sign. Dan Jarvis constructed the plinth and erected the sign.
Themes on the New Sign
Bilder
A Danish Viking leader who arrived here in 878AD
Church
St Mary’s church built in the 14th century, but as we see it today with the rebuilt tower which collapsed in the 1970’s. The south porch has grand flushwork, a testimony to 15th century piety and Marian devotion. The doorway must be among the best in the county of its period. St Mary's also boasts a glorious window by the Kempe workshop, depicting the Annunciation and richly adorned with subsidiary scenes
Countryside
The countryside around the village showing a farming scene with a farmer on quite an old tractor
Kings Pightle Nature Reserve
Country scene representing Kings Pightle Nature Reserve depicting a kingfisher and mallard ducks on the river
Clocktower
The clock tower in the Market Place built in 1864. The clock tower at Bildeston, seems to have been designed simply for the benefit of the community. Erected at a cost of £200, it was funded partly from the sale of a charity property, and partly by public subscription.
Weaver
The wool cloth industry which commenced in the year 1350
The Name and Population
The village was called Bilestuna in 1086 and Bildestone in 1166. The name means "The farmstead or estate of a man called Bildr", originating from Old Norse and Old English. The population was 1,054 at the 2011 census.
Other Points of Interest
There are around 80 listed buildings in the village.
There was a Hall close to the church, but has now gone, but can be seen as crop marks from the air.