A VILLAGE has achieved an unusual hat-trick - by unveiling its third sign.It is believed to be probably the only village in Norfolk to have three signs.

A VILLAGE has achieved an unusual hat-trick - by unveiling its third sign.

It is believed to be probably the only village in Norfolk to have three signs.

The person behind the latest sign is Terry Ashwell, a retired master carver who actually made the new sign. It is now proudly on show just across the road from Mr Ashwell's bungalow home on Tattersett Road at Syderstone.

Because the village is spread out, there are signs on Docking Road and Mill Lane, and the Tattersett Road area was always locally regarded as the “in betweenies” because it had no identifiable sign. So when Mr Ashwell mentioned this to parish council chairman, Gerry Taylor, his response was to tell him to make one

himself.

So Mr Ashwell, who has carried out carving work in the House of Lords, carved a beautiful new sign out of an oak bench from an old blacksmith's shop. Attached to the post on which the sign is hung is a small notice board. It stands close to a 40mph speed sign that illuminates the village sign at night.

On Thursday morning residents, parish councillors and children from the Blenheim Park Primary School, making their way to their classrooms as part of their healthy green “walking bus” project, watched as North West Norfolk MP Henry Bellingham unveiled the sign.

Mr Bellingham spoke of the importance of village signs

to local communities, particularly at a time when they are losing their post offices, shops and pubs.

“At a time when villages are under a lot of pressure, with pubs finding life difficult and post offices closing throughout North West Norfolk, it is wonderful to have a village like Syderstone that does really believe in village community and spirit,” said Mr Bellingham.

“You can engender that spirit and put pride into the village through village signs which gives the village identity and a sense of history.” The children gathered around the sign and helped Mr Bellingham pull the rope to release the sheeting covering the sign.

After the ceremony, Mr Ashwell and his wife, Grace, hosted a champagne breakfast for everyone in their home.

The children walk to school three days a week in the scheme that started in November and it has been really successful. It is hoped to increase it to four days a week.