A dedicated heritage enthusiast, Tim Beer, 67, is on a mission to reinstate a set of historic boundary posts dating from 1909 between Somerset and Dorset, with the intention of preserving an important part of the UK’s road-side history.
Tim, who lives in Stony Knaps, Somerset, has amassed an impressive collection of road markers and country boundary posts, some of which date as far back as the 1700s. Among his prized possessions are two of the original four boundary markers that once defined the line between Somerset and Dorset until changes to the county boundaries in 1963 rendered them obsolete.
“I consider myself primarily a stolen sign finder,” Tim explained. “My passion lies in recovering these markers and returning them to their rightful places beside the road, where they belong, rather than letting them gather dust in private collections.”
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Despite their official redundancy, Tim firmly believes these historic markers should remain in place as they represent an invaluable part of shared cultural heritage. “We cannot keep letting our history disappear; once it’s gone, it cannot be replaced,” he said.
To bring his vision to life, Tim has launched a crowdfunding campaign seeking £2,400 to fund the casting and finishing of four reproduction 1909 boundary posts at a local foundry. The plan is to restore these markers and position them where they originally stood along the county border.
“Even just seeing these markers back where they belong would bring me great joy,” Tim said. “The restoration process is both costly and time-consuming, including specialist paint which alone costs around £40 a litre. Each post takes approximately two months to fully restore and prepare for reinstallation.”
If the fundraising target is not met, Tim intends to produce as many markers as possible with available funds, while any surplus will be dedicated to future restoration efforts.
Somerset and Dorset are renowned for their distinctive fingerpost signs, and Tim’s work extends beyond boundary posts to restoring these iconic white signs, often commissioned by parish councils across Dorset and Wiltshire.
He also highlighted the practical necessity of these markers. “Some people argue they are no longer needed due to sat navs,” he said, “but I recently witnessed two elderly ladies asking me for directions while I was reinstalling a fingerpost near my home because they didn’t have a sat nav. These signs provide reliable guidance, especially in rural areas where satellite signals can be unreliable.”
Tim’s passion for boundary markers stems from childhood experiences. He recalled a beloved post on a local river bridge being destroyed by a lorry and discarded. Having lived near the old Somerset and Dorset boundary, he has witnessed firsthand how many markers lose their significance and are neglected or removed.
Besides restoration, Tim actively monitors the market for stolen markers, many of which are sold by private sellers or antique dealers. “It’s disheartening to see these pieces of heritage hidden away in private collections when they belong to the public,” he said. Recently, with support from South West Heritage, he acquired and refurbished two cast iron Bristol Turnpike Trust markers from 1823, which had been taken from the A38.
Tim encourages anyone who comes across damaged or discarded heritage signs in Somerset, Dorset, or Devon to collect them safely and get in touch. “I will gladly arrange collection and restoration so they can be returned to their proper places,” he added.
Supporters can contribute to the restoration project through Tim’s crowdfunding page, which has already raised over half of its £2,400 target.
This initiative highlights the importance of preserving historic landmarks that contribute to the rich tapestry of the UK’s rural landscape, ensuring that these symbols of local identity remain visible for generations to come.