Northumberland village heritage group seeks to restore old signposts

Northumberland village heritage group seeks to restore old signposts

A further example now of civic pride and an appreciation of history helping to rescue and preserve local landmarks in this lovely story from the Northumberland village of Glanton.  In this case the structures in question are the traditional finger post signs that were among the standard road sign designs in the United Kingdom during the first half of the twentieth century, prior to the comprehensive reform of Britain's traffic signage as part of the Worboys Committee of 1963 that resulted in the styles we know today. 

source - Wikimedia Commons

Fortunately, and in spite of the wide-ranging changes instigated by Worboys, many original finger posts survive - mainly in rural locations where their welcome presence adds to the area's bucolic charm - but some of them have seen better days and are at risk of disappearing altogether as they continue to decay and get swallowed up by nature.  Not so in north Northumberland though, I am pleased to note, thanks to the efforts of the Glanton Heritage Group. 

In the ten years since it was formed this small local group have adopted and restored their village's red telephone box - something also close to this blogger's heart - as well as publishing a local history book.  Lately their attention has turned to the renovation of the area's finger posts and, after a few early hiccoughs and false starts, they have successfully restored two examples to their former glory and are now looking to replace two more.

source - Northumberland Gazette

Their efforts are to be applauded as the results look absolutely fantastic and seem certain to ensure these beautiful signposts' continued existence for years to come.  As with many a heritage group I find myself in accord with their commendable views on the subject and the fact that they have involved local ironmongers, plus through their actions encouraged other nearby communities to look into restoring their own finger posts, is just the icing on the cake.

I am reminded of a similar article I covered way back in 2012, when Norfolk County Council successfully applied for the Grade II listing of a rare 1904-vintage road sign in the village of Overstrand.  At the time I expressed the hope that more prewar signposts would be preserved in a similar manner (hopefully in the eight years since there have been other incidences that have gone unreported) and despite the passage of time it is wonderful to see that there are still groups out there willing and able to save these delightful reminders of an earlier age for both visitors and future generations of the community alike.