The Red Posts of Dorset [and Wessex]
May 25, 2021 Leave a comment
A red post is an unusual sight, probably as so few still exist in the UK, largely in the southern counties of Dorset and Somerset.
The history of these eye-catching posts is unknown but legends abound. Plotting onto a map identifies that they are mostly about 18 miles from Dorchester Gaol, a days march from Weymouth. It is most likely, that they were collecting points before transfer to deportation ships, and so the three in Dorset – including Bere Regis and Horsey – focus on the county town. Extrapolation westwards strengthens this argument further with Heywood and Chard as central places and routes eastwards.
Other legends abound. Why are they red? Obviously a bloody occurrence, well little academic evidence exists. Possibly criminals unable to make the march or sea voyage to Australia, and the Tolpuddle Martyrs story is firm in readers minds. The facts point to legend, nothing more.
Three red signs have survived in Dorset, probably, with Somerset and Cumberland as they ignored Worboys requests to upgrade to a standardised system. The sign on the A31 is best known but on a busy and cluttered junction.
The Horsey sign has had the wooden fingers removed. Disappointing, but easily replaceable as the plastic white lettering no longer has a heritage value.
Ignoring the red post on the Quantocks, Both Somerset signs are now tired, one misses the finial, the other [above] has had both arms repaired.
The Sherborne sign remains the finest example in the best position, but I am biased. Another has been recently replaced in London, which accounts for 6 out of 7.
There is a word of warning here. The seventh post was in Cornwall, notice I’m using the past tense here. It is no longer there and a recent BBC local news account talks of its theft. Again nobody knows but if they are being stolen to order, then the future could be bleak. Get out and visit one while they still exist.
Alicemark 