Sign of the times
Surrey Life|July 2020
Many of Surrey’s picturesque villages are signposted by cleverly designed markers reflecting their individual nature, some inspired by a competition judged by the future King George VI a century ago
Anne Williams
Sign of the times

Many Surrey communities have a decorative village sign displayed at some prominent location. Shalford, just south of Guildford, has a sign whose origins date back 100 years.

Initiated by King Edward VII and later championed by King George V, village signs first appeared in villages around the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk. Aimed at promoting the individuality of each community, the signs were created at the Queen Alexandra’s creative workshops and the practice grew until the start of World War I.

In May 1920, invited to give a speech at the Royal Academy, the Duke of York, later King George VI, chose to promote the revival of the craft. He said: “I feel sure that many of my comrade motorists would welcome the revival of the village sign or emblem, lettered and conspicuously displayed – a welcome guide to the visitor in a strange land.”

Motoring had become a leisure activity, not just a means of travel. With as yet no national signage, the Duke, a keen motorist himself, could see practical as well as aesthetic benefits to the signs.

Although warmly welcomed by academicians, it was felt to be outside their remit to follow it up. Instead, the Daily Mail, which had reported the speech, took up the cause, running a competition for village sign designs.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der July 2020-Ausgabe von Surrey Life.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der July 2020-Ausgabe von Surrey Life.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

WEITERE ARTIKEL AUS SURREY LIFEAlle anzeigen
The House That Rocks
Surrey Life

The House That Rocks

Transforming an impressive, seven-bedroom Victorian property in Dorking wasn’t without its challenges, but the result is a stunning family home that has had the interiors world raving

time-read
6 Minuten  |
November 2020
REMEDY FOR SUCCESS
Surrey Life

REMEDY FOR SUCCESS

Surrey’s Tracy Borman discusses the return of her heroine healer in the final book of her best-selling fictional trilogy

time-read
5 Minuten  |
November 2020
Love Celia
Surrey Life

Love Celia

Actress Celia Imrie has travelled the world for work and leisure but wherever she goes there is a part of her which is forever Surrey

time-read
5 Minuten  |
November 2020
EXHIBITION OF THE MONTH
Surrey Life

EXHIBITION OF THE MONTH

Art & Action: Making Change in Victorian Britain at Watts Gallery – Artists’ Village in Compton focuses on the Victorian roots of art activism

time-read
4 Minuten  |
November 2020
Electric dreams
Surrey Life

Electric dreams

The Range Rover plug-in hybrid brings silent electric motoring to this iconic luxury car

time-read
3 Minuten  |
November 2020
THE OPEN ROAD
Surrey Life

THE OPEN ROAD

Chris Pickering rounds up some of the best drives in Surrey

time-read
5 Minuten  |
November 2020
TOWN AND COUNTRY: Oxted & Limpsfield
Surrey Life

TOWN AND COUNTRY: Oxted & Limpsfield

With the North Downs looming nearby and glorious countryside surrounding it, Oxted is a town with real “escape from London” appeal and character, while nearby Limpsfield has a superb village vibe with its own community-run pub

time-read
7 Minuten  |
November 2020
Artist to the stars
Surrey Life

Artist to the stars

Known as ‘The Face of Modern British Impressionism’, Mickleham-based Sherree Valentine Daines is celebrating four decades at the forefront of her field

time-read
8 Minuten  |
November 2020
A RIGHT ROYAL WELCOME
Surrey Life

A RIGHT ROYAL WELCOME

The Signet Collection’s inaugural hotel project is a reimagining of a former royal guest house, situated directly opposite Hampton Court Palace

time-read
4 Minuten  |
November 2020
TOWN AND COUNTRY: Godalming & Hascombe
Surrey Life

TOWN AND COUNTRY: Godalming & Hascombe

On the banks of the River Wey, Godalming is a watercolour pretty town surrounded by pristine countryside and in-demand rural villages, such as Hascombe

time-read
4 Minuten  |
October 2020