'Counties' Category
Biddenden, Kent
The sign shows the ‘Biddenden Maids’, Mary and Eliza.
According to tradition, these twin sisters were born in 1100, joined at the shoulders and hips. The story describes how Eliza and Mary Chulkhurst lived in this condition for 34 years, until one of them died. The other, refusing seperation (was such surgery possible in the 12th [...]Bidborough, Kent
This sign seemed in dire need of renovation when I visited, being simply painted onto a wooden background (and no varnish?)
The sign depicts St Lawrence Church,which is one of the oldest in the area. Although little is known of the church’s exact origins, part of the present building dates back to the 10th century, when [...]Holywell-cum-Needingworth, Cambridgeshire
The parish of Holywell-cum-Needingworth lies on the north bank of the River Ouse near the old boundary between Huntingdonshire and Cambridgeshire. To the east, the Greenwich Meridian passes through a corner of the parish.
The village of Holywell itself developed by the river as a traditional ring village which takes its name from the ancient spring [...]Willian, Herts
A simple sign, of painted boards, topped by a small carving of a fox, which would appear to be a motif of the village, being also the name of the local pub. The nearby All Saints church is topped with some of the most spectacular gargoyles in the county!
Willian: Hertfordshire Genealogy
Willian: Wikipedia
Willian Village, OS Grid [...]Tewin, Herts
Another Millenium memorial sign, this sits on one corner of the triangular village green. Tewin has most of the features typical of English country villages, a Church, two pubs, a village green, a red telephone box and a shop and post office. The river Mimram runs to the south, and is depicted on the sign, [...]
St Ippolyts, Herts
This sign on the village green, is very modern in design, in stark contrast to the picturesque old church across the road.
Note the spelling, which differs from that shown on the OS map. Road signs in the area show one or the other of the alternate spellings: St Ippolyts or St Ippollits.
St. Ippolyts: A Country [...]Northchurch, Herts
On one side is shown the church, Peter the Wild Boy, and a representation of the old North West Railway which passes nearby. On the other (shown above) is the Grand Union Canal and [...]
Much Hadham, Herts
Created for the Millenium, the sign shows the River Ash, in whose valley the village lies. Also shown are the church, a ‘tree of life’ (which is based upon a window in the church), a pair of sheep which are kept locally, and a Tudor Rose. Henry VII’s father was born in the village.
More recently, [...]Harpenden, Herts
This sign sits at the edge of the common, at the southern end of the town. It shows the town crest, topped with the county Hart.
Harpenden is probably a bit too large to be properly called a village these days. It’s a sizable commuter town, between Luton and St Albans.
[...]Furneux Pelham, Herts
A poorly maintained sign, the plastic weatherproof coating was badly cracked and in need of replacement whenn I visited. I understand that it was replaced in April 2007. I must try to revisit to get an updated photo!
It’s interesting to note that the village name is actually mispelt on the sign! On the OS map, [...]