Dorset CPRE Grant Scheme funds restoration of 160 Fingerposts

One iconic image that is unique to Dorset are its fingerposts, the old road signs featuring a white or occasionally red metal roundel or finial. Since the Dorset CPRE grant scheme was launched in 2017, the charity has paid out £22,337.50 towards the restoration of 160 traditional fingerposts helping to keep these local treasures and save them from extinction.

DORSET CPRE PRESS RELEASE 17TH FEBRUARY 2025

One iconic image that is unique to Dorset are its fingerposts, the old road signs featuring a white or occasionally red metal roundel or finial. Since the Dorset CPRE grant scheme was launched in 2017, the charity has paid out £22,337.50 towards the restoration of 160 traditional fingerposts helping to keep these local treasures and save them from extinction.

Fingerposts are a common feature of the Dorset countryside and are a legacy of the early road system. In 1773 the General Turnpike Act made it mandatory for trustees to put up signs informing the traveller of the distance to the closest town.

Of the 1300 or so fingerposts thought to exist in the 1950s, just 717 survive today. Many were lost in WWII as they were removed in 1940 to deny guidance to an invading army, and not replaced. Some of the originals have been repaired using non-traditional materials or lettering, and others are in need of attention. The Local Authority no longer has a remit to repair them, and both the Dorset National Landscape (formerly Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) and Dorset CPRE are keen to support local ‘Fingerpost Champions’ to save these signs from extinction and restore them to their former glory. Hundreds of signs have been renewed by Parish and Town Councils, community groups, and individuals.

Roger Bond (Dorset Fingerpost Restorers) co-ordinates the Dorset National Landscape Fingerpost restoration project, working from his home workshop. He repairs and restores characters on new oak ‘fingers’ whilst Coles Castings provide new stock (cast lettering and roundels) ready for fettling and painting. Roger first became involved in fingerpost restoration projects ten years ago, when he stepped in to assist with the repair of a bracket on the Green Hill Junction fingerpost at Sutton Poyntz. Since then, he has been engaged in restoring over two hundred traditional fingerposts around the county. The experience gained is now collated in his new website to help others restore their village fingerposts and can be viewed on https://www.dorsetfingerpostrestorers.co.uk/.

Highlighting two restorations that received Dorset CPRE grants

Roger has managed and supported the full reinstatement of one of all four of Dorset’s ‘Red Posts’, including this one at Horsey Knapp near Evershot.

This post had been badly damaged a couple of times in recent years and a new location opposite, away from traffic, was provided by a local farmer. Highways agreed the new site and provided a new post. New oak fingers and alloy lettering were prepared and fitted by a local volunteer, Nigel Clarke, who also fitted the fully refurbished bracket assembly and roundel.

Roger Bond said: “This distinctive fingerpost, one of four we have restored in Dorset, is now looking good and in a safer position. Thanks to Dorset National Landscape for the new oak and a grant from Dorset CPRE.” (see header image)

Roger goes on to say: “Dorset has only a few surviving fully cast-iron fingerposts, so we were pleased to have fully restored this post in the centre of Evershot village. After several visits and much surface preparation and painting, a missing finger was located and a new cast finger to Holywell was fitted: made by Coles Castings foundry in Melbury Abbas.”

Neil Matthews, Chair of Dorset CPRE, commented: “These distinctive signposts which show, not only distances and directions, but also the grid reference of the junctions concerned are a real boon to walkers and drivers in the county.  I am pleased that Dorset CPRE are able to support this scheme which enhances the character and uniqueness of the Dorset countryside.”

Dorset CPRE offer a small grant scheme, up to £200 per post, for people wanting to restore fingerposts using the correct materials as set out by the Dorset National Landscape. Match funding is not required and there is no application form, but we ask that requests come from a Parish Council representative (or similar), with a summary of the fingerposts that need repairing, their location(s) and estimated costs.

To find out more contact Dorset CPRE. It is so important that we preserve these Dorset icons!