North Riding of Yorkshire – County Durham border signs unveiling ceremony – Barnard Castle, Mon 15th June 12.15pm

The Historic Counties Trust and the Yorkshire Ridings Society are delighted to announce the ceremonial unveiling of new road signs marking the border of the North Riding of Yorkshire and County Durham on the River Tees at County Bridge between Barnard Castle and Startforth on Monday 15^th June at 12.15pm.

The unveiling will be performed by Councillor Robbie Rodiss, Chairman of Durham County Council.  Representatives from the Historic Counties Trust, Yorkshire Ridings Society, Durham County Council and local dignitaries will be gathering at County Bridge on Bridgegate in Barnard Castle from noon, with the ceremony beginning at 12.15pm. It will conclude around 12.30pm. This will be followed by a celebratory pint (or two) in the Old Well Inn.

Durham County Council is erecting Historic North Riding of Yorkshire and Historic County Durham signs at six bridges over the River Tees: Winston Bridge, Worlton Suspension Bridge, Egglestone Abbey Bridge, County Bridge, Eggleston Bridge and Middleton Bridge. It has also erected Historic North Riding of Yorkshire and Historic Westmorland signs at the county border at Ley Seat Edge.  All signs have been paid for by the Historic Counties Trust, the charity arm of the Association of British Counties.

Peter Boyce of the Historic Counties Trust said, “Could one even imagine our country without Yorkshire and County Durham? Not just beloved by the people who call them home, but by all Britons. We are very grateful to Durham County Council for marking the ancient border between them and to Councillor Rodiss for unveiling the new signs at County Bridge”.

Nigel Wilkin of the Yorkshire Ridings Society said, “The River Tees has marked the border between County Durham and the North Riding of Yorkshire for over a thousand years. Despite the indelible place of our two great counties in our history and our hearts, this border has not been properly marked for over 50 years. We are overjoyed to see this omission rectified.”

Peter Boyce continued, “We also wish to warmly thank Councillor Ross Patterson. During his year as the ceremonial mayor of Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, Ross raised over £14,000 for the erection of historic county roads signs and kindly donated that money to the Historic Counties Trust. Some of this money has funded these signs.”  

At Councillor Patterson’s suggestion, Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council has erected North Riding of Yorkshire / County Durham signs at most crossings of the River Tees in its area.  

The border road signs in Teesdale are part of a larger project to see all Yorkshire riding borders marked and also to extend historic county border markings to other counties, as funds and cooperative local authorities allow.

For those attending the ceremony, it will take place on the riverside pavement on Bridgegate at the west end of County Bridge. We will gather from 12 noon with the ceremony starting at 12.15pm promptly. Car parking is available alongside the River Tees on the Startforth (Yorkshire) bank of the river, to the south of the Bridge. There is a free car park at the end of Gray Lane in Barnard Castle, 5 mins walk from the ceremony location. There is also on-street parking and a car park in Queen Street in the town.

The banner image shows the North Riding of Yorkshire sign at Ley Seat Edge.