Wilby, Suffolk

Wilby is a village and civil parish in the Mid Suffolk district of Suffolk in eastern England located around 9mi south-east of Diss and 1.25mi south of Stradbroke along the B1118. The population of the parish at the 2001 census was 231 in 99 households. The village has some basic services including a primary school and village hall. The name of the village is generally believed to be derived from the Old English meaning 'Ring of Willows'. The village is mentioned in the Domesday Book at which time it had a small population of around 7 households and formed part of the holding of Bishop William of Thetford. The nearest villages are Brundish, Laxfield, Stradbroke and Worlingworth.Foals Green, Russel's Green, Stanway Green and Wootten Green (part) form part of the village which is dispersed in nature.ChurchThe village church is dedicated to St Mary. It is medieval in origin and includes a 15th-century tower and a series of bench ends from the same century which are one of the finest collections in East Anglia. The current vicar is Rev'd Canon Fiona who hold one Sunday service a week and publishes the Wilby and Brundish Newsletter. St Mary's is a Grade I listed building. Wilby Hall, a Grade II listed building, is a 16th-century farmhouse with an intact medieval moat.SchoolThe village school serves around 100 children aged 5 to 11. It is currently judged as 'Good' by Ofsted and has a link to a school in Mbauro in Kenya. At 11 children usually transfer to Stradbroke High School.