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 we thought we would base a series on them!
Girton is a village of about 1600 households, and 4500 people, situated to the north-west of the city of Cambridge, England. Girton has a long history as a village - people were living here pre Saxon times. The old name for Girton was Gretton, meaning 'village on the gravel', so called because the settlement grew up along a gravel ridge.
The village sign in the photograph is on the corner of Redgate Road and Cambridge Road. Paul Clare and Michael Davies raised money to commission the sign and it was erected in 1985. Both were members of the local Scout Group, 10th Cambridge, at the time.
The sign was designed by Denis Cheason, made by Barry Sharman and erected by Ken Dench. The top part of is taken from a design on a Roman belt discovered in a burial ground near Girton College. The centre is based on the coat of arms of the family of Anne-Maria Cotton, who endowed the first Girton village school. The geese, kept at Washpit, provided quills for use in the University of Cambridge. The lower section represents corn marigolds which were once common in the village. At the very bottom is the cross of St Andrew, patron saint of the parish church.
You are looking for a micro container. Stealth is required as this is overlooked.
If anybody would like to expand this series please do. I would just ask that you let Smokeypugs know first so they can keep track of the Village Sign numbers and names to avoid duplication.