30th March 2021 - Duxford, Littlebury, Great Chesterford, Ickleton and Hinxton

Introduction

A fine day forecast with temperature of 22°C we made packed lunches and set off for one our favourite rides to Saffron Walden. The ride from Ickleton to Strethall is one of the best. The total distance is about 64km or 40 miles. Our Eddington number for 2021 went up to 21. 

Duxford

Plaque on the post "The emblem of St Peter"

Plaque on the post "The emblem of St John"

Plaque on post: "Harold William Runham. Parish Councillor 1955-1981. Died 19th May 1981".

Plaque on post: "This sign designed and built by Donovan R.H. Bunning. Presented to Duxford to mark the two local churches".

Strethall (Essex)

A thankful village (all village men returned from WWI) with no sign.

Wendens Ambo (Essex)

A village with no village sign. There is a rock by the side of the road on the B1039 going into the village carved with WENDENS AMBO A.D. 2000 POP C 400.

Saffron Walden (Essex)

A town

Littlebury (Essex)

Lots of detail about the sign at http://www.littlebury.org.uk/index.php/17-news/newsflash/168-where-is-the-village-sign.html.

Double sided. The village sign represents the mill, now known as Kings Mill. First erected in 1981, originally in wood, the sign was damaged in 1999 and replaced with a glass fibre version in 2001. Restored in 2015. Crest with scissors.

Great Chesterford (Essex)

Perhaps the finest village sign we have seen so far, recently restored by the look of it.

This side shows farming represented by a horse drawn plough, railway represented by and LNER locomotive and road transport represented by a carriage. Great Chesterford was on the main road from London to Cambridge.

This side shows the Roman history of the village; views of the village showing church and street; medieval trades showing pie man with bell and woman with purple flowers (lavender?). 

Ickleton

The recently painted wrought iron sign is centred on a windmill surrounded by aspects of farming - ploughing, wheat, sheep and tools. The building above might be a water mill or a barn or possibly the medieval priory which no longer exists. 

Plaque on post: "This plaque is in remembrance of Ron, Helen, Nicholas and Clare Goddard of Ickleton who lost their lives in the helicopter disaster off the Isles of Scilly, July 16th 1983".

Hinxton

A modern looking sign - the symbol of DNA on the left representing the sequencing of DNA which was done at the Sanger Institute in the village. Wheat to celebrate farming. The buildings are the church, Hinxton Hall which houses the Sanger Institute and Hinxton water mill.

66 signs so far on 21 cycle rides. 

27th March 2021 - Elsworth

Introduction

Having visited all the villages within 13k of home, we have to cycle further to find new village signs. Today we cycled 46km with a break for coffee and scones at Bourn. A strong SW wind made it very hard going. 

Elsworth

Difficult to photograph with the sun behind the sign. 

This image shower a church tower, a page from the Domesday Book, a shield with three rams heads. A wagon wheel, wheat and an ammonite.

The text on the page of the book 

"The Domesday Book 

Parish Council 

Sign carved 

by Guy

Ross Sol?"

Plaque on post: "This sign was provided by the people of Elsworth to mark the retirement of JOHN W THROSSELL M.B.E. After 54 years in office as Clerk to the parish Council 1919-1973

It was unveiled by Mr Throssell on 13 JULY 1975"

Cambourne

While technically a village Cambourne is a new town development and does not appear to have have a village sign.

Toft

Having just completed a U3A course on  WWI it is noteworthy that Toft is a 'Thankful Village' as all 7 men who went to war returned and there is no war memorial. Sadly three men from the village died in WWII and are commemorated on a plaque on the wall of the Methodist Church. This is one for next year when our village tours will be covering war memorials.

61 signs in 20 cycle rides.

List of Villages

List of villages within 16.0km (approx 10 miles) from my home.

Note that me home is about 1.4km NNE of the centre of Cambridge at Great St Marys.

The original list of villages comes from a Wikipedia page.

Villages near Cambridge in Cambridgeshire
No.	Name	Dist.	Sign
1	Orchard Park	2.1	Y
2	Impington (with Histon)	3.3	Y Impington
3	Fen Ditton	3.6	Y
4	Histon and Impington	3.6	Y Histon
5	Girton	3.7	Y
6	Milton	3.9	Y
7	Coton	4.1	Y
8	Grantchester	4.7	N
9	Teversham	4.8	Y
10	Horningsea	4.9	Y
11	Cherry Hinton	4.9	Y
12	Trumpington	5.1	Y
13	Madingley	5.6	Y
14	Landbeach	5.8	Y
15	Oakington	6.1	Y
16	Barton	6.1	Y
17	Stow cum Quy	6.8	Y
18	Waterbeach	7.0	Y
19	Dry Drayton	7.4	Y
20	Fulbourn	7.7	Y
21	Cottenham	7.8	Y
22	Hauxton	7.9	Y
23	Comberton	7.9	Y
24	Bar Hill	8.0	Y
25	Hardwick	8.0	Y
26	Great Shelford	8.0	Y
27	Stapleford	8.1	Y
28	Little Shelford	8.3	Y
29	Longstanton	8.4	Y
30	Rampton	8.5	Y
31	Haslingfield	9.1	Y
32	Bottisham	9.2	Y
33	Little Wilbraham	9.5	Y
34	Lode	9.5	Y
35	Lolworth	9.5	Y
36	Harston	9.6	Y
37	Toft	9.9	Y
38	Harlton	9.9	Y no post
39	Caldecote	10.2	Y
40	Great Wilbraham	10.2	Y
41	Newton	10.6	N post only
42	Little Eversden	10.7	Y with GE
43	Swaffham Bulbeck	10.7	Y
44	Great Eversden	10.8	[Y with LE]
45	Sawston	11.1	N
46	Boxworth	11.1	Y
47	Babraham	11.3	N
48	Barrington	11.4	Y
49	Willingham	11.5	Y
50	Kingston	11.6	N
51	Knapwell	12.1	Y
52	Foxton	12.2	Y
53	Whittlesford	12.4	Y
54	Swaffham Prior	12.5	Y
55	Swavesey	12.6	Y
56	Pampisford	12.7	Yx2
57	Reach	13.0	Y
58	Thriplow	13.1	Y
59	Bourn	13.1	Y
60	Orwell	13.2
61	Shepreth	13.3
62	The Abingtons	13.3	Y on bridge
63	Over	13.4	Y
64	Cambourne	13.6
65	Elsworth	13.9
66	Fen Drayton	13.9	Y
67	Fowlmere	14.4	Y
68	Wimpole	14.4
69	Conington	14.5
70	Hildersham	14.6	Y
71	Duxford	14.7
72	Caxton	14.8
73	Longstowe	15.0
74	Burwell	15.3	Y
75	Holywell	15.3
76	Wilburton	15.3
77	Meldreth	15.5
78	Hinxton	15.5
79	Haddenham	15.6
80	Arrington	15.7
81	Fenstanton	15.7	Y
82	Stretham	15.9
83	Wicken	15.9

Notes

Histon and Impington were listed as one village but there is one sign for each village.

Little Eversdena and Great Eversden were isted as two separate villages but share a sign.

Cherry Hinton and Trumpington are now parts of Cambridge were not listed as villages but have signs.

26th March 2021 - Caldecote

 Caldecote

Situated at the north end of the road where it meets the St Neots Road at Childerley Gate. The original village is centred near the south end of the road which meets the B1406.

From Wikepedia: "The older part of the village lies to the south, just off the B1046 road and is mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086. The parish church, St. Michael and All Angels, parts of which date to the 14th century, is in this part of the village. Bourn Brook and the route of the former Oxford and Cambridge Railway run to the south of the village."

The sign is doublesided with the same on both sides. The sign shows the church with a deer and a pheasant in the foreground. The left panel shows pigs and the right panel showe a hare and a carriage from the LNER railway. There are pheasants, wheat and flours above.

60 signs in 19 cycle rides. We have visited all the villages on my list within a 13 km radius of our home. There are 56 on list list, one is combined with another village on the sign, four do not have a sign and we have visited 9 villages over 13km from home. I will publish a list of the villages within 16km of Cambridge on this blog.

25th March 2021 - Abingtons, Hildersham and Linton (but not Babraham)

 Babraham

The fourth village that we have cycled through that does not have a sign. It does have a statue. 

Abingtons

Little and Great Abington share a sign built into the bridge over the River Granta.

The sign is a mosaic depicting a rider on a horse - looks a bit like a highwayman - on a bridge - presumably this one. 

From the internet: "The sign is on the bridge over the River Granta which is the boundary of Great Abington and Little Abington, on the road which is the High Street of both. It commemorates Jeremiah Lagden, a Little Abington landowner who had "a local reputation as a highwayman", apparently because he could afford tea."

Hildersham

This sign shows a tree - resembles a large fir tree close by - perhaps a cedar.

Plaque on base: "Presented to Hildersham by the Women's Institute. Erected by Hildersham Parish Council 1995"

From wikipedia "The village sign was designed by Mrs D.E. Arkright, who along with her husband Mr R.B. Arkright MBE lived in the village for over 40 years."

Linton

With flaking paint, this sign dated 1992 is in need of refurbishment. It shows the river or a pond with tufted duck (large lake?) and mallard. A man appears to be breaking a fence to get to the water - this is apparently a 'clapper stile'. In the background is the church and the water tower which is a landmark tower on the hill above Linton.

59 signs so far with 4 villages without signs. 18 cycle rides collecting them. 

21st March 2021 - Barrington, Foxton, Fowlmere, Thriplow

 Barrington

Double sided. Church, thatched house and village pond with ducks. Cement works chimney (now demolished) in the background.

Thatched inn, tiled house and village pond with ducks. Cement works chimney (now demolished) in the background.

Foxton

Double sided with a fox on the top. Church and dovecot (dates from 1706). Roundhead soldiers helmet and wheat. Cricket, football and other sports. Burlington Park, house and pump.

Dovecot

Burlington Park

Fowlmere

Arch with horse and carriage at the top (signifying that Fowlmere was a coaching stop on the Cambridge London road?). C of E church tower and United Reform Church tower. Mallard duck in the foreground.

United Reform Church

Thriplow

Doorway with daffodil on the surround (Thriplow has lots of daffodils and today would have been daffodil day if it were not for COVID-19). Saxon warrior under a tree. Hyacinth on post. Picture of church and smithy.

Plaque on post: "The Silver Jubilee of QUEEN ELIZABETH II 1952-1977"

Smithy

56 signs so far in 17 cycle rides so far. We have visited 43 out of 44 villages within 11k of my home.

20th March 2021 - Swaffham Bulbeck, Bottisham, Teversham

 Swaffham Prior

Farming and mill

Plaque: "1978 Presented by Frank Turner to commemorate his 50 years farming in the village"

Bottisham

Street view with wagoner

The view today from the sign looking east.

Teversham

Just the name of the village

52 signs so far in 16 cycle rides so far.  We have now covered all the villages within a 10km radius of our home. 

19th March 2021 - Orchard Park, Fenstanton and Fen Drayton

 Orchard Park

Orchard Park is a housing development in South Cambridgeshire between Cambridge and the A14. It is a district and civil parish. It was not on my list of villages and it is only chance that Denny noticed the sign down a road as we cycled along the busway.

A famer sowing, an iron age round house, a roman soldier and an apple(?) tree. An apple under the sign.

Fenstanton

Double sided. Church, hexagonal building, coot on lake. Cross keys and sword crest above and Tudor English sailing ship below. 

Farming view, dairy cows, milk churns, horse and cart, lorry, wheat, church spire in the distance.

Plaque on post: "Sponsored by Dairy Crest Dairies For the Village of Fenstanton July 2000"

Fen Drayton

Metal sign that can be view from both sides. Swan flying over lake with goose and water fowl. Church tree and house with stepped gable.

49 village signs in 15 cycle rides so far. The furthest from home so far is Fenstanton which is 15.7km away. 

17th March 2021 - Bar Hill and Coton

 Bar Hill

A goose (?) under curved wood which might represent a rainbow. 

Plaque on the post: "Presented by Bar Hill Residents Association and Domino Printers. To mark to completion of Bar Hill Village 1988"

Coton

Sited near the church rather than on the road through the village. Cross keys above a ship's wheel possibly.

"The cross-keys are doubtless a reference to the church's dedication, the wheel device may also be a reference to a vaguely wheel-like carving inside the church."

46 cycle rides in 14 cycle rides so far.

14th March 2021 - Whittlesford, Pampisford but not Sawston

 Whittlesford

A picture of the river and stepping stones. Three historical people in the foreground. A Roman soldier, a woman with a rope and a man with a stick. A three arch bridge on the top of the sign, The motto 'STICK TO THE TROTHE' (stick to the pledge) under the sign  and a crest underneath that shows a red symbol a bit like an M on a white background.

Plaque on the post "To commemorate the Silver Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 1977"

The sign was restored in 2017 by descendants of the original creator.

A full description is here. The man on the left is Nicholas Swallow a farmer and benefactor. The girl on the right is a charity school girl to remember William Wesley who funded schools. Roman artefacts were found near the village. The motto is a quote from Roger Ascham. The shield shows a maunch (a sleeve worn by medieval women). It is on the coat of arms of the present Lord of the Manor. 

Pampisford

The first village with two signs one at each end. A village we have never cycled to before as it isn't really on the route to anywhere. 

The east end of the village shows a famer ploughing with a pair of horses. A mouse above.

The west end of the village shows a water mill and a miller. A kingfisher above. 1977 EiiR 2012 below. 

Sawston

We did not see a sign in Sawston which added to Grantchester and Kingston makes three with no sign. 

44 signs in 13 cycle rides so far

12th March 2021 - Rampton, Willingham, Over

 Rampton

Double sided with the same images on each side. Wheat ears on the sides. Divided into four quarters:

• village scene
• church and farmer with sheaf of corn
• sheep in front of a house
• farmer ploughing with horse and woman picking apples

There is a war memorial plaque in the base for 11 from WWI and 2 from WWII.

Willingham

Dated 2011 - a picture covered in glass which makes it difficult to photograph. The reverse is W I in a circle of flowers. Similar to Cottenham. The picture shows a windmill and children running towards a man. Fruit and flowers round the side. Notes from http://www.willingham-cambs.co.uk/ "The village sign above contains a potted history of Willingham. Cattell's Windmill is shown which has recenly had new sails fitted. The man on the sign is George Pegler, the first master of the British School established in 1856. Around the sign are shown fruit and flowers which were the main produce of the village - still grown today but on a much smaller scale. There is also a representation of the wall paintings from the church as well as one of the carved angels which can be seen on the roof timbers. Finally, a U2 spy plane can be seen flying over in recognition of the nearby USAF air bases."

Over

Double sided - the plaque on the base for this side: 

"The Great Ouse

Osiers for basket making

Eel gleave for catching eels"

Plaque on the base for this side:

"Produce of the Land. 

Yellow flowered woad gave blue dye

Gloves were made in Glover Street

Flowers and fruit from market gardens

Working Mill 1860"

Plaque on the post: 

"Restored by Over WI

2016

Painting by John Rodford

Paint by Craftmaster paints

Joinery by Law & Lewis"

42 signs in 12 days

7th March - Cherry Hinton, Fulbourn, Great Wilbraham and Little Wilbraham

 Cherry Hinton

A shield in front of a cherry tree with blossom and cherries, squirrel and rabbit and flowers. The four quarters of the shield depict: 

• A steam traction engine, representing Pampin's steam plough works used to be on the High Street.
• Saffron  crocuses formerly grown round Cherry Hinton.
• Launderesses at work. Laundry for Cambridge colleges once provided a cottage industry in Cherry Hinton. There was an excellent supply of spring water.
• St Andrew's church.

There are pictures on the internet of another version of a village sign which was unveiled in 1991. This one dates from a later date.

Fulbourn

A metal sign to celebrate the silver jubilee. A plaque reads "This sign was erected to commemorate the Silver Jubilee Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Celebrated June 1977"

Great Wilbraham

Plaque on the past says: "This sign represents Queen Wilburga (600 AD) and the Knights Templar (1200 AD). Designed by Patricia Nutbourne. Made and carved by Peter Nutbourne. Basework by Keith Precious. Unveiled on 8th June 1996 by Cynthia Bradford"

Little Wilbraham

Modern design on metal. Dated 2014. A wheel split into quarters. The Hole in the Wall pub, the church, the windmill and three alms(?) houses.

 39 signs in 11 days

6th March 2021 - Swavesey

 Swavesey

We set off along the guided busway for a coffee at The Nook in Swavesey. We had to detour via Fenstanton as the busway was closed after the B1050. 

The reverse side indicates that the sign is "To commemorate the Silver Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II 1952-1977. A fresh coat of paint wouldn't go amiss.

The centre of the sign is a coat of arms with 10 coins. Above the crest is a swan. The saltire of St Andrews and Scotland and a ships wheel. An eel and a shell. "STEADFAST IN WORK & PLAY"

A plaque on the base "This Village Sign was unveiled on Sunday 2nd September, 1979, by Mrs Ethel Hepher, a founder member of the Swavesey Womens' Institute, formerly Chairman of the Parish Council, a County Councillor and Alderman."

Further information from Swavesey - Cambridgeshire, England - Pictorial Village Signs on Waymarking.com. This is summarised:

The swan relates to a a royal connection with Edward the Confessor. Coat of arms is de la Zouch. The shell is a snail shell is the badge of Hoddendod Manor. The ships wheel may relate to the village being a major port in the middle ages.

36 signs in 10 days

3rd March 2021 - Horningsea and Waterbeach

 Horningsea

Potter at a wheel

The village sign was designed by Peter Halford, having won an open competition in 1982. Erected in 1984.

Waterbeach

Heron (?) taking flight from water

Plaque on the base: Erected by the villagers of Waterbeach in memory of their doctor JOHN PRITCHARD, M.A,M.B,B CHIR,D.(OBST)R.C.O.G. 1924-1979

Erected in 1980

34 signs in 9 days

2nd March 2021 - Longstanton

 Northstowe

A new development on the site of the old Oakington airfield. It is probably classified as a town. Not a proper village sign on a post

Longstanton

A coat of arms above a hind and a sword. 

The hind is the emblem of the Hatton family. The family crest includes a golden hind and this emblem caused Sir Francis Drake to rename his ship in honour of his Patron Sir Christopher Hatton.

Plaque "Presented by the W.I. for the village, to commemorate the marriage of H.R.H. The Prince of Wales to Lady Diana Spencer on 29th July 1981"

Two military badges on the post 3 RCJ and 657 SQN AAC

32 signs in 8 days