Iconic Westcountry landmark could disappear forever by New Year’s …
One of the most iconic and heavily photographed tourist attractions in the West Country is set to vanish at the end of 2023, after a 66-year-old private agreement fell through. Marking where the southwestern tip of Britain meets the sea, the white signpost of Land’s End will soon be no more.
Hundreds of thousands of faces have been pictured next to the signpost since 1957, which points out the more than 800 miles between the land’s westernmost tip and its most northerly outcrop at John O’Groats, as well as the more than 3,000 miles of the Atlantic separating the Cornish headland from New York. However, it is now thought that the signpost could be gone as soon as the New Year.
For the past 66 years, the signpost has been managed by a Penzance-based photography company but, according to CornwallLive,[1] their agreement with the private company that controls the land was allowed to fall through. It is not clear what plans the Jersey-owned Heritage Great Britain PLC, which also owns John O’Groats, has for the attraction.
Peter Puddiphatt, who has spent 28 years working beside the post, said that Land’s End had opted not to renew its contract with the local company that erected the sign and managed it for all these years. His last day was on Thursday, December 28, and he says it will soon disappear altogether.
The Land’s End to John O’Groats route has long been a favourite for fundraisers (Image: @marfisdrawing)
Courtwood Photographic, a Penzance-based photo processing company, has held a contract and owned the signpost for nearly seven decades. Generations of visitors have paid a visit to the location just to take home a poignant reminder of their visit to Land’s End.
Sharing the news in a Facebook[3] post, Mr Puddiphatt said: “End of an era! After 66 years, Land’s End have not renewed their contract with Courtwoods of Penzance for 2024. So, from 31st December 2023 there will be no more Courtwoods signpost to have a photo with.
“My last shift today, after a total of 28 years, 1979 to 84 and 2000 to 2023. I’ve always called it my fun job. You meet some very interesting people, lots of celebrities, and always the fabulous views over Land’s End to enjoy.
“Breathtaking sunsets, beautiful cloud effects and all the big storms. I have seen so much wildlife, including a humpback whale, in Dollar Cove.
“Sadly we don’t see the basking sharks that we did in past years, but now see the huge bluefin tuna instead. Great memories! I have been fortunate to have had three of my granddaughters work various summer seasons alongside me, and this year my daughter-in-law.”
The iconic Land’s End signpost was first established in 1957 when the local family-run business first put up the Cornish landmark. Thousands of people have been photographed alongside it since including the many charity fundraisers who take part in the JOGLE trip from end to end.
The Land’s End website states: “A local photography company still owns and operates the signpost today, with generations of visitors having paid to take home a unique record of their time here at Land’s End. Nowadays, in keeping with tradition, just tell the photographers your home city and they’ll make up its name and fit the lettering into the signpost.
“They’ve calculated the distance from Land’s End to thousands of cities worldwide, so they’re able to complete your ‘personal’ Land’s End Signpost with the number of miles to your nearest town or city – or any other message you’d like.”
References
- ^ according to CornwallLive, (www.cornwalllive.com)
- ^ Live weather alerts for Bristol as Met Office issues yellow warning for wind (www.bristolpost.co.uk)
- ^ Facebook (www.bristolpost.co.uk)