Essex cast iron guideposts in the
UTTLESFORD DISTRICT
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Uttlesford in the northwest of Essex has by far the greatest number of surviving cast iron guideposts; over one third of those in the county are to be found in this district. As to be expected, most are Maldon Iron Works examples but there is a good selection of Stantons too. The condition of the posts varies enormously but those at Felsted (one by Maldon Iron Works and the other two by Stanton) have been maintained to a very high standard. Some refurbishment (mostly painting) has been carried out to many other posts in the district during 2003. Unfortunately, with the exception of the Felsted examples and the one at High Roding, the traditional black and white banding has not been applied to the posts. |
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All images on this page by John V Nicholls, Brian Barrow (Membership Secretary of The Milestone Society), Dr Jim Young, David Mansell and Peter Brown. Visit David Mansell's website of Essex images. See links page. |
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CLICK ON THUMBNAIL FOR LARGER IMAGE |
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Location: Arkesden | NGR: TL 4844 3430 | Date: |
| Maker: Maldon Iron Works | |||
| Details: Made by Maldon Iron Works with 3' 6" post, conical finial and three 10½" arms. This was Set No.6 of Order No. R/301 dated 28 July 1934. | Credit: John V Nicholls | ||
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Location: Rickling Green | NGR: TL 5096 2978 | Date: |
| Maker: Maldon Iron Works | |||
| Details: Made by Maldon Iron Works, this was Set No.4 of Order No. R/301 dated 28 July 1934. The 3' 6" post was originally topped with a conical finial. | Credit: John V Nicholls | ||
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Location: Rickling Green | NGR: TL 5095 2990 | Date: |
| Maker: Maldon Iron Works. | |||
| Details:
Made by Maldon Iron Works,
this was Set No.3 of Order No. R/301 dated 28 July 1934. The
legend on the missing arm read " RICKLING CHURCH 1½
/ WICKEN 2¾ BERDEN 3½ / CLAVERING 4 ARKESDEN 4" This post was partially restored in 2003. Click on thumbnail for before and after pictures. |
Credit: John V Nicholls | ||
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Location: Manuden | NGR: TL 4915 2671 | Date: |
| Maker: Maldon Iron Works. | |||
| Details: This is a well-used post. Not only serving its original purpose, it also holds up a bus timetable, a local event notice and a board advertising bags of kindling. Finial missing as are two 3 inch spacers. In its favour is seems to be a one-off in that it is the only Maldon Iron Works post so far known that uses two thirds in one of the mileages. | Credit: John V Nicholls | ||
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Location: High Easter | NGR: | Date: |
| Maker: Maldon Iron Works | |||
| Details: Two original arms in good condition with the third (to LEADEN RODING) being wooden. Former black and white banding on the post under current white. | Credit: John V Nicholls | ||
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Location: Saffron Walden | NGR: TL 5314 3786 | Date: |
| Maker: Stanton | |||
| Details: With only one arm of three remaining, this Stantons of Derbyshire post is in a rather sorry state. Even the annulus finial is incomplete. | Credit: John V Nicholls | ||
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Location: Clanverend Bridge, Wendens Ambo | NGR: TL 4965 3611 | Date: 2002 (JVN) and 2003 (BB) |
| Maker: Maldon Iron Works. | |||
| Details: Maldon
Iron Works example with conical finial. One arm missing.
Click HERE to see the post after refurbishment in 2003. |
Credit: John V Nicholls and Brian Barrow | ||
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Location: Manuden | NGR: TL 4921 2600 | Date: |
| Maker: Maldon Iron Works. | |||
| Details: | Credit: John V Nicholls | ||
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Location: Birchanger (Stansted) | NGR: TL 5081 2451 | Date: |
| Maker: Maldon Iron Works | |||
| Details: Post
only. PARISH OF / BIRCHANGER on finial but now within Stansted.
Probably dates to 1927.
CLICK HERE for picture of the post when it still had its arm. |
Credit: John V Nicholls | ||
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Location: Birchanger | NGR: TL 5071 2431 | Date: |
| Maker: Maldon Iron Works | |||
| Details: Single wooden arm on this Maldon Iron Works example with TILE KILN LANE in letters nailed in position. Semi-circular finial lettered PARISH OF / BIRCHANGER. As originally ordered the post would have had a single 7 inch cast iron arm. It was originally ordered 1 July 1927 | Credit: John V Nicholls | ||
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Location: Hatfield Broad Oak | NGR: TL 5575 1585 | Date: |
| Maker: Maldon Iron Works. | |||
| Details: Made by Maldon Iron Works with stepped rectangular logos on two original arms. Arm towards WHITE RODING is a replacement of thin sheet metal riveted to a frame. Has been recently repainted. | Credit: John V Nicholls | ||
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Location: Hatfield Broad Oak | NGR: TL 5325 1795 | Date: |
| Maker: Stanton | |||
| Details: The design and narrow halo finial suggests that this is an example by Stanton. Cast National Trust sign additional and pointing to Hatfield Forest. | Credit: John V Nicholls | ||
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Location: Aythorpe Roding | NGR: | Date: |
| Maker: (Finial only) Maldon Iron Works | |||
| Details: A modern wooden guidepost of a type seen throughout Essex. Included here because it has a cast iron semicircular finial which is assumed to have been salvaged from a destroyed cast iron post in the parish. | Credit: John V Nicholls | ||
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Location: Mole Hill Green, Felsted | NGR: TL 7119 2050 | Date: |
| Maker: Stanton | |||
| Details: Well maintained Stanton Ironworks post in seemingly original condition. | Credit: John V Nicholls | ||
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Location: Willows Green, Felsted | NGR: TL 7206 1978 | Date: |
| Maker: Maldon Iron Works. | |||
| Details: Maldon Iron Works example. Arm towards LEEZ PRIORY (pointing the wrong way in this picture) is a replacement with lettering painted on. | Credit: John V Nicholls | ||
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Location: Bentfield Green (Stansted Hamlet) | NGR: TL 5052 2546 | Date: 2002 and August 2004 |
| Maker: Probably by Stanton | |||
| Details: Believed to be by Stanton of Derbyshire. Ornate finial. Three wooden arms with fourth empty carrier. Letters nailed on. In 2002 two of the arms are showing advanced stages of rot and required urgent attention. Replacement arms fitted during refurbishment in 2004 but with square ends rather than the rounded ends which are a feature of Stanton posts. | Credit: John V Nicholls | ||
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Location: Henham | NGR: TL 5462 2851 | Date: |
| Maker: Maldon Iron Works | |||
| Details: Parish plate (finial) missing but was the semicircular type. 3 X 10½ inch arms each with three lines of text in 2½ inch lettering. This post was part of Order No. 2404 dated 6 February 1933. | Credit: John V Nicholls | ||
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Location: Henham | NGR: TL 5343 2882 | Date: |
| Maker: Maldon Iron Works | |||
| Details: Made by Maldon Iron Works. Could this be the Ugliest fingerpost in Essex pointing to UGLEY CHEQUERS and UGLEY GREEN? 3 X 10½ inch arms each with three lines of text in 2½ inch lettering. This post was part of Order No. 2404 dated 6 February 1933. | Credit: John V Nicholls | ||
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Location: White Roding | NGR: NGR: TL 605 177 | Date: |
| Maker: Maldon Iron Works. | |||
| Details: Formerly on the main road to Bishops Stortford, this signpost has been "bypassed". One original arm has been lost as can be ascertained by the gap by the lower arm. The arm pointing to AYTHORPE RODING CHURCH is a wooden replacement. Has a cap finial. | Credit: John V Nicholls | ||
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Location: High Roding | NGR: TL 605 177 | Date: |
| Maker: Maldon Iron Works. | |||
| Details: Four arms with some destinations added and others deleted by over painting. For example, TAKELEY was once TAKELEY STATION until the railway from Bishops Stortford to Braintree closed. It has a semi-circular finial. Made by Maldon Iron Works. | Credit: John V Nicholls | ||
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Location: Motts Green (near Leaden Roding) | NGR: TL 6129 1262 | Date: |
| Maker: Maldon Iron Works | |||
| Details: | Credit: John V Nicholls | ||
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Location: High Easter | NGR: TL 6180 1583 | Date: |
| Maker: Maldon Iron Works. | |||
| Details: | Credit: John V Nicholls | ||
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Location: High Easter | NGR: TL | Date: 26 March 2005 |
| Maker: Maldon Iron Works. | |||
| Credit: John V Nicholls | |||
| Details: | |||
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Location: Broxted (Suckstead Green) | NGR: TL 5856 2866 | Date: |
| Maker: Maldon Iron Works. | |||
| Details: By Maldon Iron Works with 3' 6" post and semicircular parish finial. Three 10½ arms. The specification in the Order No.892 dated 26 June 1937 was for the lower legends to be in 4" letters. The arm towards BROXTED is a replacement. Click on the thumbnail for further details. | Credit: John V Nicholls | ||
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Location: Tilty | NGR: TL 5994 2757 | Date: |
| Maker: Maldon Iron Works. | |||
| Details: | Credit: John V Nicholls | ||
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Location: Langley Upper Green | NGR: TL 4460 3511 | Date: 2003 |
| Maker: Maldon Iron Works | |||
| Details: | Credit: Brian Barrow | ||
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Location: Elmdon | NGR: TL 4613 3962. | Date: 2003 |
| Maker: Maldon Iron Works. | |||
| Details: | Credit: Brian Barrow | ||
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Location: Wenden Lofts | NGR: TL 4601 3788 | Date: 2003 |
| Maker: Stanton | |||
| Details: Manufactured by Stanton | Credit: Brian Barrow | ||
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Location: Wenden Lofts | NGR: TL 4698 3800 | Date: 2003 |
| Maker: Stanton | |||
| Details: Manufactured by Stanton | Credit: Brian Barrow | ||
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Location: Catmere End | NGR: TL 4897 3948 | Date: 2003 |
| Maker: Maldon Iron Works | |||
| Details: | Credit: Brian Barrow | ||
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Location: White Bridge, Chrishall | NGR: TL 4490 3833 | Date: 2003 |
| Maker: Stanton | |||
| Details: Manufactured by Stanton, this post has been repainted in 2004. The post is set low in the ground so the makers' mark cannot be seen. However, all the characteristics of a Stanton product are in evidence. One arm (towards Audley End and Saffron Walden) missing. | Credit: Brian Barrow | ||
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Location: Langley Lower Green | NGR: TL437 344 | Date: 2003 |
| Maker: Maldon Iron Works. | |||
| Details: Made by Maldon Iron Works, this was Set No.1 of Order No. R/301 dated 28 July 1934. The original arm had the legend "LANGLEY UPPER GREEN ½ / ELMDON 4½ / SAFFRON WALDEN 8½" | Credit: Brian Barrow | ||
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Location: Chrishall | NGR: TL 4460 3832 | Date: 2003 |
| Maker: Maldon Iron Works? | |||
| Details: This one is a bit of a mystery. The conical finial suggests this is a Maldon Iron Works example but no makers' name appears on the three arms. The post is not cast iron and does not have a taper. The assumption is that the original post may have been broken and parts were then placed on the current post which is set into a concrete cube. Repainted in 2004. | Credit: Brian Barrow | ||
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Location: Langley | NGR: TL 4380 3442 | Date: 2003 |
| Maker: Maldon Iron Works | |||
| Details: A short post Maldon Iron Works example with conical finial. One arm shows signs of a repair but otherwise all original. A repaint with original black and white banding on the post would make a nice local feature. This was Set No.2 of Order No. R/301 dated 28 July 1934. | Credit: Brian Barrow | ||
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Location: Saffron Walden | NGR: TL 5430 3866 | Date: 2003 |
| Maker: | |||
| Details: An example if neglect, this post is by an unknown maker and maybe dating from the 1940s.. | Credit: Brian Barrow | ||
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Location: Felsted | NGR: TL 6749 2030 | Date: 2003 |
| Maker: Stanton | |||
| Details: This well-maintained post has many features that seem to confirm it was a product of Stanton. The finial plate may be a replacement as no other of this design is known. | Credit: Brian Barrow | ||
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Location: Great Canfield | NGR: TL 571 204 | Date: 2003 |
| Maker: Maldon Iron Works. | |||
| Details: | Credit: Peter Brown | ||
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Location: Clanverend Bridge, Wendens Ambo | NGR: TL 4963 3611 | Date: 2003 |
| Maker: Maldon Iron Works. | |||
| Details: | Credit: Brian Barrow | ||
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Location: Cherry Green, Broxted | NGR: TL 573 293 | Date: 2003 |
| Maker: Stanton | |||
| Details: A single arm Stanton needing attention to support shaft. | Credit: Peter Brown | ||
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Location: Henham | NGR: TL 562 274 | Date: 2003 |
| Maker: Maldon Iron Works. | |||
| Details: 2 X 10½ inch and 1 X 7 arms .This post was part of Order No. 2404 dated 6 February 1933. All lettering is 2½ inch except HAVERHILL which appears to be 4 inch. | Credit: Jim Young | ||
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Location: Broxted. Broxted Old Vicarage (or rectory) junction on B1051 | NGR: TL 577 271 | Date: 2003 |
| Maker: Maldon Iron Works. | |||
| Details: | Credit: Jim Young | ||
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Location: Stebbing Green | NGR: TL 6790 2367 | Date: 2003 |
| Maker: Maldon Iron Works | |||
| Credit: David Mansell | |||
| Details: Maldon Iron Works post. The semicircular finial has been broken off and two arms repaired. | |||
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Location: Stebbing (Bran End) | NGR: TL 6540 2529 | Date: 2003 |
| Maker: Maldon Iron Works. | |||
| Details: Maldon Iron Works with semicircular finial. | Credit: David Mansell | ||
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Location: Lindsell | NGR: TL 6435 2698 | Date: 2003 |
| Maker: Maldon Iron Works. | |||
| Details: MIW with conical finial. | Credit: David Mansell | ||
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Location: Bush End, Hatfield Forest | NGR: | Date: 2003 |
| Maker: Maldon Iron Works. | |||
| Details: MIW with conical finial. | Credit: David Mansell | ||
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Location: Chrishall | NGR: TL 4453 3940 | Date: 2003 |
| Maker: Stanton | |||
| Details: Made by Stantons but with all arms seemingly replaced. Click thumbnail for alternative image. | Credit: David Mansell | ||
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Location: Matching Road, Hatfield Heath | NGR: TL 5268 1420 | Date: 3 April 2005 |
| Maker: Maldon Iron Works. | |||
| Details:
Thanks to Frank Walsh for finding this one. |
Credit: John V Nicholls | ||
| Have I missed any in the Uttlesford District? Please email me HERE | |||
