This cache replaces our archived Crofton village sign cache GC73CWK. The new cache is hidden a few feet away from the sign.
In his History of Kent, written at the end of the 18th century, Edward Hasted describes Crofton as lying in the middle of woods, and notes that it was “said to have been once a parish of itself, and to have been destroyed by fire.”
On the sign are images of Bishop Odo, strawberries, Hadrian and an oak. Regarding the Roman connection, Crofton Roman Villa (near Orpington station) was inhabited from about AD 140 to 400 and was the centre of a large farming estate. Today, it is the only villa open to the public in Greater London. The strawberries highlight the area’s former importance for fruit growing, whilst Bishop Odo used to own the manor of Crofton at the time of the Domesday Book.
In respect of the oak, there used to be an oak tree, known as the Crofton oak, standing at the junction of Crofton Avenue and Crofton Road. It was many 100s of years old and was a local landmark. One day it was hit by a lorry and cut down very soon after by the council. It is understood that the busy road junction and the fact the tree was “in the way” fuelled speculation that this was no ordinary accident.
About Village Sign Caches
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This cache belongs to the Village Sign Series, a series of caches based on ornate signs that depict the heritage, history and culture of the villages that put them up (generally on the village green!).
The signs can be made of different materials from fibreglass to wood, from forged steel to stone. They can depict anything from local industry to historical events. The tradition probably started in Norfolk or Suffolk and has now spread across most of the country so we thought we would base a series on them!
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More information, bookmarks and statistics can be found at the Village Signs Website
If anybody would like to expand the Village Sign Series, please do.
I would ask that you request a number for your cache first at www.villagesignseries.co.uk
so we can keep track of the Village Sign numbers and names to avoid duplication.