Earsdon Road/Park Lane, finger post

Guidepost. Late 19th or early 20th century. Made at the Pioneer Foundry by Smith, Patterson & Co. of Blaydon (in operation from 1870 to 1954). This major guidepost and signpost manufacturer also made the listed posts at Rock Farm in Northumberland and Kirkpatrick Durham in south west Scotland. Once ubiquitous, guide posts were often removed during the Second World War and a diminishing number now remain. This attractive example is in good condition (cast-iron) and retains its three original fingers. It has a decorative triangular finial. It compares favourably with other listed examples, such as Frating in Essex, St. Agnes in Cornwall and Hedgeley Hall in Northumberland. Guideposts are a rare survival in North East England, particularly on Tyneside. Less than 100 cast-iron finger posts are listed nationally (6 are in Northumberland). The Shiremoor signpost is shown on OS maps from 1920. It predates the 1930 memorandum issued by the Ministry of Transport, which states that direction posts should have square ends. The fingers have chamfered corners and black raised lettering - finger one: SHIRE MOOR 1/2 MILE, BENTON 3 1/2, NEWCASTLE 7 1/4. Finger two: EARSDON 1/2, HARTLEY 3, BLYTH 7. Finger three: NEW YORK 1 1/2, NORTH SHIELDS 3 3/4. LISTED GRADE 2