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