A sign of the times
Rather than it becoming a burden on the town’s council tax bill, a Just Giving page has been launched to raise the £1,500 required to have them looking as good as new.
The signs for every road access into the town were commissioned through a company in Derbyshire in the ‘noughties’ following a council-run design competition.
They have been looked after since by a number of volunteers, but the Welsh weather has taken its toll with the sunshine fading the paint and the frost and rain causing the aluminium to corrode - not to mention the impact of salt and grit from winter road maintenance.
And now, former mayor Simon Bedford has been back in touch with the original sign-makers who confirmed they still have the original paint colours.
With local help, Simon has volunteered to take down the signs and drive them to Buxton, then to collect and refit them once they have been restored. They will be stripped back to bare aluminium, primed and re-painted, and returned to their original standard; they should then last another 20 years.
“We have all been hit with a big council tax raise this year and every pound the Town Council spend will impact next year’s budget and every household’s pocket,” said Simon. “So I thought, why not take this one on through crowdfunding and see if we can give the town a boost without hitting those who may not see the benefit of the new signs.
“The Town Council have agreed to make a contribution if it’s needed. JustGiving is really easy to do: go to justgiving.com and search ‘Montgomery town signs’. Or you can call in to the Dragon Hotel and make a donation at reception.”
Simon added: “Thanks to everyone who has already donated and all who choose to help. If the target is not met, I will refurbish as many signs as I can, starting with the worst one first.”
PICTURE: Simon Bedford pictured with one of the signs on the road entrances to Montgomery.
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