Red Post
Red Post – Corton Denham, Somerset, UK. ID IMG_4354
In 1896 the parish of Poyntington was transferred from Somerset to Dorset. This was a shame for Somerset so I will pretend it never happened and by doing so it must still in Somerset. I say this because on my recent visit to Corton Denham, which is in Somerset, I forgot to photograph a local landmark – a finger post that is not black on white but white on red.
Not surprisingly these are known as Red Posts.
Red Post – Corton Denham, Somerset, UK. ID IMG_4346
Storm Freya
Storm Freya battered Britain with 80mph winds and travel disruption. So when I returned to visit the red post a few days ago there was a pretty dramatic sky.
Red Post – Corton Denham, Somerset, UK. ID IMG_4335
Red Posts
There are many theories for why this post in Somerset, and three others in Dorset, are red.
Red Post – Corton Denham, Somerset, UK. ID IMG_4317
The theories include:
- They mark the route convicts were taken along before being transported to Australia.
- They were places where people were hanged. Not sure about this as other sites such as Jack White’s gibbet near Castle Cary that are not marked with a red post.
- The place where suicide victims were buried.
- It was just Dorset county policy for a short time. This cannot be true as this one is in Somerset and has pointy fingers rather than the rounded Dorset ones.
- They are connected to the toll system as toll posts.
Red Post – Corton Denham, Somerset, UK. ID IMG_4358
And Finally…
Dorset may have its red posts but the post just down the road in Somerset is a classic. Pointy fingers, distances accurate to one quarter of a mile, pointy SCC finial, grey and white sturdy post, lots of cycle way stickers and lots of daffodils.
Corton Denham 1/2 – Somerset, UK. ID IMG_4369
Red Post Posts:
