A piece of the region’s rural heritage could quietly disappear.
Across northern England’s countryside, cast-iron signposts - once a familiar part of the landscape - are falling into disrepair as the skills needed to restore them fade with the retirement of the few remaining craftsmen.
David Gosling, a 75-year-old expert from Cumbria who runs Signpost Restoration Ltd, has spent decades restoring these historic markers.
However, despite his best efforts to find an apprentice, there is no one ready to take over.
Annie Lloyd, branch coordinator of CPRE Northumberland and a longstanding member of the Milestone Society, said: "I’d followed David’s work for years on social media.
"His posts - and his posts - were always of such high quality, and they featured places I knew and loved.
"When CPRE announced its Centenary Grants, I thought: could we use this opportunity to preserve the skill itself?"
A bike ride through Northumberland, past rusted fingerposts, prompted Ms Lloyd to contact Mr Gosling in May.
Together they secured a £5,000 grant from the CPRE national office to launch a new training programme.
With support from the Milestone Society and the Northumberland and Newcastle Society, CPRE Northumberland will use the funding to run a one-off training course in 2026.
The course is designed to equip a new generation with the knowledge and skills to restore cast-iron signposts, along with the business acumen required to take on council contracts and community requests.
The course will be delivered over three weekends in May, July, and September 2026, in the Morpeth area.
Around six trainees will gain hands-on experience through roadside and classroom learning, restoring two neglected fingerposts as part of the programme.
Mr Gosling will lead the training, supported by Ms Lloyd.
Applications are open until February 2026, with priority given to those who wish to pursue this work seriously.
The course fee is yet to be confirmed, but at least one bursary will be offered.
Trainees will need to arrange their own transport and accommodation.
For more information, prospective applicants can contact Annie.CPRE@gmail.com.
CPRE Northumberland encouraged people to spread the word, saying: "This is more than a training course - it’s a legacy project.
"A chance to ensure that our wayside heritage doesn’t fade into memory, but continues to guide and inspire future generations."
Updates will be shared on social media by CPRE Northumberland and Signpost Restoration Ltd.
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