Red Post

Red Post - Corton Denham, Somerset, UK. ID IMG_4354

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

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 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

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

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

Corton Denham 1/2 – Somerset, UK. ID IMG_4369

Red Post Posts:

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