The Sign
The village sign is located in the village centre close to the church. It was erected to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee in 1977 and made by Keith Bloomfield. This area is renowned for the wool trade back in the Middle Ages, hence the ram dominating the top of the sign. On the left is the Guildhall and the church of St Mary Magdalene is on the right. All these features are stood on one of the two bridges in the village that cross the River Deben. Wheat or barley sheaves flank the bridge on both sides. Dr Chevallier was famous for developing a large ear of barley strain in the area, producing excellent yields; I think one of his workers actually found the solution, but the name has long been lost!

The Name and Population
Known as Debham from 1042-1066, Depbenham and Depham in 1086 and Debenham in 1226. The name means "The homestead or village by the river called Deope (the deep one or the stream in a deep valley)", originating from Old English. The river is now known as the Deben and flows out into the North Sea at Felixstowe. The population in 2001 was 1,728, increasing to 2,210 at the 2011 census. In 1086 the the village was quite large with 69 households.

Other Points of Interest

In 1991 Prince Alexandre of Belgium was married in the village however the marriage was kept a secret until 1998.

The church has a west galilee porch which is quite unusual in this country.