Mystery of the village post

IN a normally sleepy Suffolk village a mystery is today afoot.

As the Summer draws to a close in the quiet, ancient settlement of Nacton, the hushed tones of whispered conversations asking unanswered questions are dominating the peaceful country lanes.

Neighbours are meeting at the garden fence, it's the talk of the village and even the vicar has got involved.

It's a yarn that requires the brains of a Suffolk-based Sherlock Holmes or even a mystery solving Miss Marple to crack.

But without the penetrative insight of a fictional detective, villagers have been left just scratching their heads.

Because today this road sign is posing more questions than it answers.

About a month ago an oak post appeared opposite the vicarage - from where no one knows.

A week ago Suffolk County Council posted a red sign on the oak post and during the bank holiday weekend a further sign of what appears to be a bull in a red circle was added to the post.

One villager, who did not wish to be named, said: “It's very odd, I think it means “No Bulls**t”. Everyone keeps asking where it came from but no one has seen anything.

“It's a bit strange and it's a mystery. People are asking questions but no one has any answers.”

Nacton vicar Rev Geoffrey Grant has served in the parish for 43 years. The vicarage is opposite the infamous oak post.

He said: “I wrote in the parish newsletter asking anyone if they knew where the post came from.

“It appeared about three or four weeks ago and since then Suffolk County Council has put a sign on it saying they will remove it. Now there is this “No Bulls**t” sign.”

Mr Grant added: “Can anyone solve the mystery?”

A spokeswoman for Suffolk County Council said the sign was one of two that had been put up in recent weeks.

She said the posts would be removed: “We have had complaints from the public that the sign is causing problems of visibility at the junction nearby.

“We have put up signs saying they are illegal and to call us but nobody has contacted us. It seems the Bulls**t sign has appeared since we put up our signs.

“We can't have people just putting up posts randomly across the county so we do need to take action.”

The spokeswoman said if the person who put up the posts wishes to contact the council he should call 01728 403087.

Do you know the story behind the signs? Can you shed light on the Nacton mystery? What do you think? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or send an e-mail to eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk

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