Village Sign

PORINGLAND VILLAGE SIGN BACK IN PLACE ON THE LEISURE GARDEN, THE STREET, FOLLOWING REFURBISHMENT IN WAYLAND PRISON BY THE PRISONERS.

The sign was purchased by Poringland Womens Institute to commemorate their Golden Jubilee in 1970. It was made for them by Hubbard Brothers (Decorative Ironwork) Ltd of Oak Street, Norwich, from a design by their then President and Secretary, Mrs P Wilcox and Mrs M Scott. The cost was £68 and the money was raised by various events held by the W.I.

The sign was originally located by All Saints Church and was unveiled at a small ceremony on Saturday 2nd October 1971. The records do not say who unveiled the sign, but we think probably the Chairman of the Parish Council. Refreshments were provided afterwards in the Village Hall. The sign only stayed in that position for two years until the road was realigned in 1973. After much discussion the sign was re-erected in 1974 in its present location, when the pond was cleared and the area landscaped to provide a village green and a new bus shelter. This area is now known as the Leisure Garden. When erected the sign was given the present brick and cobble plinth.

The sign represents the artist John Crome, who in 1818 painted a picture entitled the Poringland Oak. The painting depicts a large oak tree by a pond with people bathing, and it was believed that this oak tree is the one situated by the pond in Carr Lane; hence the nearby close is called Cromes Oak Close. The painting is housed in the Tate Gallery.

The sign has been repainted three times. The first time was in the 1980s by a member and her husband, in 1993 by a prisoner in Wayland Prison and again this year (2003) the sign did a stint inside Wayland Prison for over six months.

The Parish Council is extremely grateful to Wayland Prison for the refurbishment work that has been carried out recently on the Village Sign. It was the 50th sign to have been renovated by the Inmates. When passing, please stop and view, the sign looks absolutely splendid.