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.