VOLUNTEER sleuths are needed to take part in Exmoor National Park Authority’s two-year Historic Signpost Project.

Much of the motivation to record and refurbish traditional signposts came from local communities concerned about the state some of them were in.

During the 1960s, councils were advised to remove existing signposts and replace them with standardised signs.

However, Somerset did not do this, particularly on Exmoor, and so the distinctive cast iron, black and white signs have become an integral part of Exmoor’s history and heritage

The park authority is working with the Exmoor Society and volunteers to trace the history of the signposts. The project is funded through the Heritage Lottery Fund, Exmoor National Park Authority and Somerset County Council.

Dr Helen Blackman, the Exmoor Society’s archivist, said: “The starting point is the history of individual posts.

“Some towns and villages are clearly signposted, whilst other have little to indicate their whereabouts. For example, to some visitors it may seem odd that many signposts point to Watchet, now a relatively small town. However, the signage reveals something of its previous significance as a port and a major paper manufacturer.”

She said the kind of questions that needed answers are:

n How long have they been there?

n Do they and the crossroads that they are positioned at have specific names?

n Is there anything in particular that has happened to them, such as removal during World War Two and later replacement?”

From this, volunteer researchers are aiming to find out about the importance of routes and locations and so help piece together a wider history of travel around the moor.

Volunteers do not need experience, as training will be given by Dr Blackman, but they do need some spare time and enthusiasm for research and detective work.

Routes over Exmoor have also evolved, as roads were tarmacked in the 1930s and some tracks were preferred over others. The signposts and their history can help piece together why this might be.

Dr Blackman also appealed for old photos and slides of Exmoor that include views of the signposts, and for any other information that would help with the project. Anyone able to help should email exmoorsociety [email protected].