Framlingham becomes ‘Framlington’ through Barclays’ sign error

Barclays said it would be replacing the sign. Picture: GREGG BROWN

Framlingham, which is known internationally as the childhood home of Suffolk singer Ed Sheeran, has mistakenly been renamed “Framlington” on a sign outside the Barclays Bank in the town.

The error was noticed by the owner of Framlingham Bookshop, which is just a few feet away in Market Hill.

Victoria Bell’s Facebook and Twitter posts identifying the blunder have been well shared and liked by many.

“I just thought it was extraordinary that nobody picked up on it” she said.

The bank is in Market Hill, in the centre of Framlingham. Picture: GREGG BROWN

“It seems like such a careless mistake.”

Christopher Hudson, who lives in Fore Street and represents the town at Suffolk Coastal District Council, said he was “amazed”by Barclays’ mistake.

“Framlingham is famous for its Castle on the Hill and now the Bank on the Hill seems to have forgotten about us,” he added.

“I think Framlingham residents will be shocked we have been overlooked in such a cavalier fashion.”

He added: “I hope it’s not a sign of the times.”

John Bridges, of the Framlingham and District Local History and Preservation Society said he was unsure how far back before the Domesday Book the name Framlingham had existed. However, he said it was not the first time Framlingham’s name has been changed.

“There’s a place called Framingham – without the ‘l’ – in Massachusetts, USA, which derived its name from Nicholas Danforth, who came from Framlingham, Suffolk,” he added.

Barclays said it was aware of the spelling mistake which had nothing to do with colleagues at the branch.

Kathryn Kitson, community banking director for Norfolk and Suffolk, said: “We apologise to our customers and the local Framlingham community that the new signage plaque installed on our branch has a spelling mistake on it.

“We have put in a request for its urgent replacement.”