The Sign
The sign was erected in 1993 in memory of Stanley and Lily Slater, the parents of John Slater of Glemsford, whose family has lived in the village since 1691 and which is commemorated on the base. The sign was sponsored by the Glemsford Conservation and Environmental Project, 1992-5. There are many scenes on this two sided village sign as well as symbols in the corners of the village name. It is in a difficult location to photograph, under a tree and has a dark coating, making interpretation somewhat challenging.

The main panel side 1 is quite difficult to determine the buildings and scenes, but certainly include a Viking Longship at the top centre next to what looks like a church with a spire, The Peverells building in the top left, what looks like farming equipment and a windmill, bottom left, a small panel at the bottom which could be Brook Street or the old village of Glemsford, The Crown Inn in the centre panel, the two buildings on the right, I have no idea!

The main panel side 2 include: An old farming scene with a hand plough, Egyptian pyramids and Sphinx relates to "Little Egypt" given to Glemsford in Medieval times, Monks Hall, Silk Mill and pond, a panel with two dates with a 300 year period, elements of the weaving industry an important industry here and in the centre is St Mary the Virgin church.

The Name and Population
Brook Street is part of Glemsford civil parish. It is not mentioned in the Domesday Book and I would imagine the name relates to a stream or brook passing through the village. The population of Glemsford was 3,693 at the 2011 census.

Other Points of Interest

Glemsford in medieval times was isolated from the life which passed by along the pack routes from Melford to Clare or Bury. Some have suggested that the nickname "Little Egypt" is a survival of the independent and unfriendly inhabitants of this period who kept very much to themselves as a self-sufficient unit upon their hilltop, viewing all strangers with grave suspicion. A characteristic which may well linger on and certainly was common in those days.

Village Sign Main Panel detail

Village Sign Corner Detail - Side 1 over Side 2