About Frating
Frating is a village and civil parish of the Tendring district of Essex, about 5 miles (8 km) east of Colchester and 9 miles (15 km) northwest of Clacton-On-Sea. There is easy access by car from the village to the A120 and A12. We have regular buses running through the village stopping at Little Clacton, Clacton town, Weeley, Elmstead Market, Colchester bus station, North Station and Colchester General Hospital. The local train station is 2 miles away at Great Bentley and provides regular services to Clacton-On-Sea, Colchester, Walton-On-the-Naze and London Liverpool Street.
Fretingham is recorded in the Domesday Book and the name has altered in time to Fretinga, Fratenges, Fratyng, Ffratinge to Frating in 1610, and means the settlement of the people of Fraete. Frae is the Saxon word for a lord.
Village Sign
Following the Village Appraisal in 2006, Frating Parish Council proposed the erection of a village sign to raise the profile of this parish and contribute to its community spirit. Funding towards the project was identified and boosted by an annual grant over three years allocated to Tendring District Councillors to support worthy parish projects and a donation received from A Smith GB Ltd, a local business. The composition of the sign was discussed and local contributions sought. The project was then commissioned to Dyvig Metal Work Design, a local company who completed the design and manufacture.
The design is centred on a fruited apple tree, acknowledging the apple growing industry in Frating during the 20th Century, with additional insertions. The bell represents the three church bells of Frating Church, circa 12 Century which peals were heard across the parish during 700 years. The ram’s head is included from the coat of arms of the Bendish family of Bumpstead Steple. Sir Thomas Bendish married Elianor, daughter of John Ford, Frating Hall in the 16th Century. (See also the iron crosses in the now closed Frating churchyard.) The cartwheel represents the Wheelwright of Haggars Lane operating through the 19th Century.
The new village sign was placed at the junction of the A133/B1029 and dedicated by the Reverend Pauline Scott on Saturday, 11th September, 2010. A group of parishioners attended the short ceremony which was followed by refreshments in the Memorial Hall.
Frating War Memorial Hall
Notes from Rob Butcher's 2022 booklet (Latest edition here.)
In 1920, Rev. Charles F. Hutton, the Rector of Frating-cum-Thorrington started an appeal for a War Memorial Hall and Institute. A bazaar held in August 1920 helped raise £500 of the required £1,500. At a Parish meeting it was agreed to purchase an old cottage and land in the centre of the village. Plans were drawn up in 1921 and the building was dedicated on September 24th 1922.
Inside the Hall is a dedicatory plaque with inscription in black and red painted lettering, mounted on to a wooden board.
This board was unveiled and the door unlocked by Brigadier-General Towsey CMG, CBE, DSO using a golden key. Frating Parish Choir accompanied by Miss E Vince sang an anthem, and five buglers of the Herts & Beds Regiment sounded the Last Post before the National Anthem.
The Barrell family, who lost three family members in the Great War, donated a Bible for use in non-denominational services. Due to its poor condition this was retired after 75 years and safely stored until 2022 when it was restored at a cost of £275, paid jointly by the Benefice and Frating Parish Council.
On April 18th 1990, the War Memorial Hall became a registered charity.
On August 4th 2014, a Centenary event was held with a display of WW1 artefacts and four guest speakers. As part of the preparations a Frating Roll of Honour was created of all the men who had served.
The Centenary of the Frating War Memorial Hall was celebrated on Saturday 24th September 2022 when the Barrell Family Bible and the Hall were rededicated. An exhibition of local history was held and Jubilee Medallions handed out to the children of the village, and over sixty people attended.