Guidepost (Fingerpost), Higher Marston

Guidepost (fingerpost), early C20, designed and cast by W H Smith & Co (Whitchurch) Ltd, repaired 2022.

MATERIALS: cast iron.

DESCRIPTION: the hollow cast-iron octagonal shaft has a lower vertical section that forms a plinth, with an upper tapered section rising off a plain torus base and capped by a simple moulded cornice. A narrower round-section shaft rises above the cornice and supports four cast-iron direction fingers, with raised black-painted sans serif capital letters, on a white background. These read: ARLEY / ASTON BY BUDWORTH; MARSTON; WARRINGTON; LOSTOCK GRALAM / NORTHWICH. The fingers have scalloped outer corners, an integral spandrel bracket, and paired cast shaft hoops secured by locking nuts. A ball finial in the form of a pawn chess piece, caps off the top of the hollow shaft that supports the fingers.