More than 60 'ghost signs' recorded in town

3 hours ago

Katy Prickett

News image — The project has been hailed a great success by the archaeologists who set it up

MOLA A red brick wall with brown framed windows below and above and in between a sign painted on it. The sign is a cream rectangle and painted on it says "Matthews Bros, blacksmiths & metal craftsmen, manufacturers, builders, ironworks." — The project has been hailed a great success by the archaeologists who set it up

More than 60 "ghost signs", some dating back 150 years, have been recorded by "citizen scientists" in Northampton.

Ghost signs are faded painted shop and business signs, many for companies that no longer exist, and provide "a direct link to our past".

"As a local born in Northampton, I am aware of several which have disappeared over the years and it is such a shame," said Mary, one of the citizen scientists involved.

The project to record this common form of 19th and 20th Century advertising began in the town and it now plans to do the same around Northamptonshire.

MOLA Two volunteers standing on a pavement on a street of 19th Century-looking buildings, with the one in the middle holding a clipboard which she is looking at. She appears to be writing on the paper on the clipboard. The person to the far right is wearing a hi-vis jacket saying "MOLA". — The team wishes to recruit more volunteers to start recording ghost signs in Northamptonshire's other towns and villages

The Ghosts of Industry project is a partnership between MOLA (Museum of London Archaeology) and Northamptonshire Historic Environment Record (HER).

Information gathered will help archaeologists and historians analyse the signs in the future and create a detailed record of surviving examples.

Charlotte Walker, of Northamptonshire HER, said the signs could "provide a direct link to our past and can stimulate conversations and memories as well as being enjoyed as part of our wider urban environment".

Examples recorded so far include Fred Clarke Dress Materials on Kettering Road and E Corbett Butcher and Grocer on Uppingham Street.

Mary said she had enjoyed taking part and she had researched some of the companies in business directories held at the county's archive.

"They are such a good and valuable source of social history," she added.

MOLA A three storey building built in red brick with three rows of brown framed windows. Between the first and second floor windows is painted The Accurate Boot. — Some of the signs are very easy to read

A MOLA spokesperson said the project had been "a real success, demonstrating what can be achieved when a small team of committed local residents works alongside heritage professionals".

They added: "Their enthusiasm and dedication have helped uncover a remarkable collection of ghost signs, creating a lasting record of Northamptonshire's industrial and commercial past for future generations."

More citizen scientists are now wanted to expand the project beyond Northampton.

No previous experience is needed, but there is a training webinar and downloadable guidance document to help interested people get started.

It is hoped the project will eventually expand to other counties.