Bodham Village Sign
The sign shows a representation of a medieval tax collector going about his employment. The tax collector's name was Boda and is mentioned in the Domesday Book, which confirms his existence and the fact that he lived there. Bodham means "Boda's Village".
Congratulation should be given to the village of Bodham for thinking of yet another theme to add to the interest of much admired village signs in the county. The sign was the gift of Bodham and District Women's Institute on the occasion of the Queen's Silver Jubilee in 1977. The sign was made by Harry Carter who has made many village signs in Norfolk.
The unveiling was attended by approximately 30 parishioners and a short speech was made by the Parish Council Chairman, Harry Bruford who got Madeline Prince to help, she was at the original unveiling in 1977. Rev Peter Alexander gave a short prayer of dedication. In November the brass plaque was removed and taken to Wayland Prison for some TLC to
bring it back to its original condition. August 2008 saw the refurbished plaque returned. |
The Bodham village sign can be seen standing proud as you drive along the
main road (A148) between Holt and Cromer. Bodham is a village set in the midst of
agricultural land, with enough modern houses and bungalows to make you realise that it has
grown in recent years - as so many Norfolk villages have.
The usual assumption is that a tax collector collects money and
here, on the sign, we can see bags for the cash. However, if due taxes were not
forthcoming in coin of the realm then portable goods were acceptable, hence one may
suppose that the depiected livestock were for tax payment.
On 29 July 2007 the refurbished Village Sign was unveiled. The sign was
refurbished by the inmates of Wayland Prison under the guidance of Don Clark.
A wonderful job was made of the sign and a letter was sent to the Governor of the prison
to thank him. Wayland prison is not allowed to charge for the work done but they asked to
a donation to be sent to Quidenham Childrens Hospice. This was done immediately.