The Five Greens
The map raises quite a few questions! Where are the greens? The size of the settlements and their positions? And why is the Roman Road not straight?
Cratfield Village Sign
Cratfield is spread over several greens. Most of the buildings are around Bell Green, the ‘main road’ through Cratfield. Then there is North Green (also known as Northward or Norwood Green), Silverleys Green, Swan Green, and apparently there was a … Continued
Water supply in Cratfield
Cratfield didn’t always have running water, as this water pump on Bell Green shows. A villager remembers that ‘..Up the top of the drive we had a water mill and everybody brought their buckets as water carriers. A man named … Continued
Mary’s Lane, Cratfield
One of the roads leading to Cratfield is called ‘Mary’s Lane’ – but who was Mary, and when was the lane named? Is it named for St Mary’s Church in Cratfield?
The Congregational Chapel, Cratfield
“CRATFIELD, a parish in the hundred of Blything, in the county of Suffolk, 5 miles S.W. of Halesworth station on the Great Eastern line, and 9 from Framlingham. …The Independents have a chapel and a Sunday-school….” Description from The National Gazetteer … Continued
Around Cratfield
The fields are very wet and even the lightest shower leaves puddles of water everywhere. But when the sun shines the new growth of winter wheat is a beautiful green and we look forward to the Summer, and our Open … Continued
Competitive Cratfield!
The Heveningham Hall Country Fayre is a huge annual event in a grand country mansion, and attracts visitors from surrounding villages and further afield. The Raft Race on Capability Brown’s lake is keenly competed and in 2013 Cratfield won!
Cratfield & The Domesday Book
To understand the history of Cratfield let’s start with The Domesday Book. William the Conqueror wanted to know what he owned so undertook a survey of those parts of England under Norman control, starting in 1086. The Little Domesday Book was a … Continued