The signs can be made of different materials from fibreglass to wood, from forged steel to stone. They can depict anything from local industry to historical events. The tradition probably stated in Norfolk or Suffolk and has now spread across most of the country so cachers Smokeypugs thought they would base a series on them!
This sign is not typical of the series because Berkhamsted is a town and not a village and the sign is a post with the town's arms on, rather than a village scene.
Berkhamsted is an historic market town in the Chilterns. It's most prominent historical role is as the location where the English nobles surrendered to William the Conqueror in 1066. Berkhamsted received several royal charters, one of which in 1217 recognised the market (still held to this day, on a Saturday) and forbade any towns within 11 miles from holding a market. In 1618 James I granted the town a charter making the town a borough. But after supporting the Parliamentarians during the Civil War, Berkhamsted lost its charter at the restoration of the monarchy under Charles II. The town is home to the oldest extant shop in Great Britain, dated by dendrochronology of structural timbers to between 1277 and 1297.
The 'village' sign is located outside The Civic Centre (which used to be the town's police station and the cache can be found close by. The area can be VERY muggley so extreme stealth will be required. The co-ords are a bit out so there's a good clue.
If anybody would like to expand the Village Sign Series, please do. I would ask that you request a number for your cache first at www.villagesignseries.co.uk so we can keep track of the Village Sign numbers and names to avoid duplication.