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Crown Fingerpost Horwich

18th of March, 2025

Great News, the Crown Fingerpost is now back in situ and back to its full splendour. The following update is from Derek Cartright  of Horwich Heritage

The Fingerpost has stood at, or in the near vicinity of the Crown for around 100 years. Back in November (2024) a car collided with the post knocking it to the ground and badly damaging it, we weren't sure if it could be repaired. Thankfully no one was badly injured in the collision. The following day Roy Davies from Horwich Heritage organised for the main post to be removed to a place of safety. We were fearful that the post would be stolen.

The Bolton Council Highways department collected all the items together. Roy was able to track down the company that produced the fingerpost around 100 years ago, the company still exists! The car insurance paid for the repair of the post back with this original company. 

We then became aware that one of the directional fingers had been missing for a number of years. The 'Ring' finial was also missing from the top, this must have been absent for a long time as no photos yet seen has this finial in position. Horwich Heritage, supported by a Horwich Town Council grant have funded the replacement finger and the finial.

This last Monday (10th March 2025) the Bolton Council Highways department reposition the post and today (Thursday 13th March), all three fingers and the finial have been put in place. And how splendid it now looks.

We thank (our) Roy Davies for his work, coordination and liaison with all concerned. We also thank the original company for their work in repairing the post and providing the replacement Finger, the Finial and for cleaning and painting everything. We thank Horwich Town Council for their grant support to Horwich Heritage in funding the missing items. A massive thanks also to the Bolton Council Highways Department who have been brilliant throughout..

And a big thank you to Derek from Rivington residents for sorting this out. Horwich Heritage is well worth checking out, fascinating local history with regular displays and presentations.