Ashmanhaugh sign gets out of jail!

A village sign is back home in the Broads after spending 18 months in jail, and has returned as a reformed character.The landmark at Ashmanhaugh near Hoveton has been restored in the workshops of Wayland prison near Watton.

A village sign is back home in the Broads after spending 18 months in jail, and has returned as a reformed character.

The landmark at Ashmanhaugh near Hoveton has been restored in the workshops of Wayland prison near Watton.

Prisoners stripped down the tired iron sign and repainted the images and characters which include St Swithin, patron saint of the local church, an ash tree, countryside scenes and the arms the Preston family who were local landowners.

Chairman of the parish council Neal Sharpe said the church and village hall, named after the Prestons, were the only two facilities in the village, which had a population of 172 people.

But it was a strong community with a range of clubs, including an art group, light railway, and gardening club which were showcased at a weekend fair, where the new sign was unveiled along with an action plan of parish priorities drawn up after months of consultation with local people.

Among the goals in the next five years were improvements to local road surface and drainage, and an extension to the village hall.

Prison workshop managers Don Clarke and Mike Savage, who oversaw the sign project, attended the event. Because the prison could not accept any money for the project, it asked for a �200 donation towards its nominated charity the Quidenham children's hospice, which was collected by representative Danielle Clarke.