The Sign

(text from the cratfield website)
The Village Sign depicts the four Greens of Cratfield; Bell Green, Silverleys Green (region of trees), North Green and Swan Green. The first village sign was erected in 1977, to commemorate the Silver Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II. It was designed by sculptor Ivor Roberts-Jones, who cast the statue of Winston Churchill which stands in Parliament Square. At the time, he lived in Cratfield and created the mould in his barn. The design of the new sign is based on that of the original one. It was carved for us by an enthusiastic group from the Essex branch of the British Woodcarving Association. They come to Cratfield twice a year to spend a week carving, obtaining their inspiration from the Suffolk countryside. On being approached, they very generously offered their skills to carve a new sign without charge, being very pleased and proud to have been asked. The new sign was unveiled to the sound of the National Anthem rung on the village hand bells to mark the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II in 2012. The sign is located on Bell Green.

The Name and Population
The population was 292 at the 2011 census. It was Cratafelda in 1086 and Cratefeld in 1165. The name means "The open land of a man called Craeta" from Old English.

Other Points of Interest
The village currently has 26 listed buildings, 25 of them Grade II listed, while St Mary’s church is Grade 1 listed.