19th May 2021 - Houghton and Wyton, Hartford, Godmanchester, Hemingford Abbot and Hemingford Grey

 Introduction

66km (41 miles) north west. Out on the busway to St Ives and on to Houghton and Wyton villages which have a combined sign. We passed the unexpected sign for Hartford on the side of the road into Huntingdon. I had decided that it was a part of Huntingdon although it is on my list of villages. Huntingdon is a town but there are images of a village style sign on the internet here - this sign is no longer there as the road junction has been modified. It might be elsewhere but none of the locals we asked could help. Godmanchester also a town has a sign. Back through the two Hemingfords. A bacon roll and coffee at our favourite cafe at Swavesey before being blown home along the cycle path along the A1307.

Houghton and Wyton

Double sided with the same image on both sides. WWII aeroplane (Bristol Belnheim?) for RAF Wyton, Houghton Mill, church and bus shelter (?) building in Houghton. Fish, flower and insect.

Plaque on post: 'This sign has been erected from the proceeds of "Houghton and Wyton" by Philip G.M.Dickinson and unveiled by his grandson Duncan J.D. Smith on 9th July 1989. The revised book was a result of the work of a group of villagers assisted by a donation from the Parish Council. Carved by Harry Lee with carpentry by Derek Steer'.

Hartford

Single sided. Church, house, tree and cows. 12 petal flower below.

Huntingdon

No town sign in the style of village signs found (see above) but new signs like this which I am not counting as a village sign.

Godmanchester

Strictly a town but the sign is in the village sign style.

Double sided with same image on both sides. Footbridge over the river, church, Roman soldier, ploughing with a horse drawn plough, Viking longboat.  

DUROVIGUTUM GUMECESTRE

SIGILLAM GUMECESTRE COMMUNE

Plaque on post: "To mark the 800th anniversary of the granting of the Town Charter by King John, this sign was unveiled by His Royal Highness The Duke of Gloucester KG, GCVO on 13th September 2012"

There are two other plaques with details about the sign - the headings are:

St Mary's Church, Rural Godmanchester, Chinese Bridges, Town Seal, The Town Sign (text of charter) Roman Godmanchester, Danish Godmanchester.

Hemingford Abbots

Double sided with different sides. Bishops mitre, sheaf of wheat, horn, fish in water.

Shield qith three rams heads (?)

Hemingford Grey

Double sided with the same image on each side. River image with punt, swans, boat

 house, swans, cows, church and flowers.

99 village signs so far in 31 rides. Our Eddington number for 2021 is now up to 23 miles. (23 rides of 23 miles or more)