Church Crod

The village of Carleton Rode is mentioned in the
Domesday Book of Records in 1086. The old
documents written in Latin show it spelt as
Carletuna. The present spelling comes from the
5-6th Century Anglo Saxon era. Ceorl being Anglo
Saxon, Karl an old Norse word for rustic or
countryman, and Carl is a common personal
name used in Germany and Scandinavia. Ton is
the Anglo Saxon for cross said to have stood in
Rode Lane, a by road still used from
Wymondham to Diss in South Norfolk.

All Saints Day is remembered in the old Celtic
Calendar B.C. based on the agricultural and
pastoral year beginning on 1st November. This
church was dedicated to All The Saints

A church has stood on this site since about 630 A.D. the first structure being of wood. The chancel of the
present church dates back to the 12th century and was consecrated by the Bishop around 1307 but it
took a further 200 years to complete the thatched church built of freestone and flint and consisting of
chancel, clerestoried nave of four bays, north and south aisle, south porch and steeple containing five
bells, much higher than today. In 1596 the church was first united with Bunwell, but later both parishes
had their own rector.

The low square pinnacled tower contains a bell made at Thetford, inscribed "John Draper Made Me
1634". The tower or steeple was then much higher and is thought to have contained four bells by 1502
after legacies were left to complete the work on the tower before Bunwell. The largest bell weighed 15
cwt. The small bell of 6 cwt. was added about 1634. With this extra weight the tower and small room
needed repairing. After repairs costing Ł34-1-6d this rhyme was inscribed on the steeple wall.

"This Church was built in it God to adore

And ought to have been repaired long before.

By which neglect we did great sums expend

Then let Successors look in Time to mend.

For if Decays they early don't prevent,

They will like us when 'tis too late repent."

In 1755 the south buttress collapsed and the steeple fell down leaving a repair bill of Ł200. As the
congregation of the parish could not afford to pay this four bells were sold to Tibenham for Ł132-9sh.
Hence the rhyme "Carleton Rode, silly people, sold the bells to mend the steeple."

The church now has a peal of six bells that were installed in 1998 thanks to a Millennium grant and kind
donations from the USA 389th and 453rd Heavy Bombardment Groups. These bells were dedicated by
the Bishop of Norwich in April 1999 and one of the bells bears an inscription with the details.

Inside the church is a memorial plaque to the officers and men of the 389th Heavy Bombardment Group
U.S.A. Air Force stationed at Hethel who gave their lives in a mid air collision over this parish on 21st
November 1944. The wood used for the memorial plaque came from the choir stall in front of the Lepers
window which was removed in 1944. The memorial was unveiled by Col. Hanner in June 1946. A second
memorial plaque was added under the first to the officers and men from 453rd Heavy Bombardment
Group U.S.A. Air Force stationed at Old Buckenham who lost their lives in a mid air collision over the
village on 9th February 1945. This memorial was unveiled in 1997. Every year since 1946 a wreath has
been laid by either a U.S.A. Air Force Officer from the Lakenheath base, Norfolk or an American chaplain
at the Service of Remembrance held nationwide in November each year.

(Extract taken from "History of All Saints' Church Carleton Rode, Norfolk")