East Yorkshire milestone moved (From York Press)

Historic East Yorkshire milestone moved

8:05am Wednesday 18th January 2012 in News By Richard Catton, richard.catton@thepress.co.uk

A HISTORIC milestone which once guided 18th century travellers through East Yorkshire has been moved for modern-day motorists to see.

The stone was once part of the Kexby to Beverley turnpike, but after the construction of the Wilberfoss bypass and improvements to the A1079 the original main road became little more than an access road to a local farm.

Now the Wilberfoss In Bloom committee, in conjunction with East Riding of Yorkshire Council, has moved the milestone and riding mount a short distance so it can be seen by passing traffic in the village.

Coun Chris Matthews, executive member for highways and emergency planning, said: “East Yorkshire is home to an abundance of historical artefacts and the council is committed to preserving and showcasing these.

“The milestone at Wilberfoss dates back hundreds of years and could not be completely appreciated in its previous location.

“We are delighted to have worked with the Wilberfoss in Bloom Committee in moving this stone to its new and prominent location, so it can be enjoyed for years to come.”

The move comes after an agreement was reached with the local Milestone Society.

Volunteers from the group excavated around the mounting block and the council’s streetscene services excavated a hole in its new position.

A local farmer was also drafted in to lift the mounting block, transport it to the new position and lower it into the hole.

The stone is understood to date back to the 18th century and shows the distances to York and Beverley. In 1764 the Beverley to Kexby Bridge Turnpike Trust was formed to improve and widen the road between the two communities.

It was usual for the trust to be required to provide some form of marker at each mile and, in this case, mounting blocks were provided to assist those riding horses.

Meanwhile, the committee said it had also restored a potato riddler, an antique piece of farming machinery, and was planning to place it on the verge in Wilberfoss next year.