Great Bricett
The Sign
The sign was erected in 2001 to celebrate the Millennium. The sign shows two Blenheim aircraft entering the sign in the top right, which represent the nearby RAF Wattisham airfield. Below the aircraft is the church of St Mary and St Lawrence, which was once part of an Augustinian priory founded by Ralph Fitzbrian and his wife Emma in 1110. To the left of the church is a smock windmill which used to stand behind Mill House in Mill Lane, but was demolished in 1954. The armorial bearings at the top of the post link with the association with lords of the manor.
The Name and Population
The population was 1,530 at the 2011 census. It was called Brieseta in 1086. There is also a Little Bricett. The name could mean "Briosa's fold" a personal name from Old English.
Other Points of Interest
The priory was built for Austin canons but in 1295 it was claimed by the monastery of Nobiliac, Limoges and thus became an alien priory. In 1444 it came into the hands of the Crown after Henry VI seized all such priories and was granted to the College of Our Lady & St.Nicholas (now Kings College, Cambridge).
Sean Hedges -Quinn, a local sculptor has produced a number of notable public sculptures, including Bobby Robson, Bob Stokoe and Captain Mainwaring and has also been involved producing models for the Harry Potter movies and Thomas the Tank Engine TV series.