THE Crediton Courier came to the rescue this week concerning a saga about village and town road signs.

On Monday, October 19, many Mid Devon communities around Crediton found their Devon County Council road signs had been replaced with those from other villages or towns.

The Zeal Monachorum sign on the ground on the approach to Crediton. AQ 3824
The Zeal Monachorum sign on the ground on the approach to Crediton. AQ 3824 (Alan Quick, Crediton Courier)
The Crediton sign at Bow. AQ 3837
The Crediton sign at Bow. AQ 3837 (Alan Quick, Crediton Courier)

A stolen Crockernwell sign was erected at Yeoford, a Zeal Monachorum sign welcomed visitors into Crediton, the Crediton sign welcomed those driving into Bow, the welcome to Bow sign was placed at Crockernwell.

It is believed that a prankster or pranksters removed the signs and relocated them during the night of Sunday, October 18, some seen in place at 1.30am on the Monday morning.

The Courier was able to return a Zeal Monachorum sign to the village and re-claim a Crediton sign from Bow.

The Coleford road sign which left Lapford residents bemused in 2023. AQ 7618
The Coleford road sign which left Lapford residents bemused in 2023. AQ 7618 (Alan Quick, Crediton Courier)

One local resident told the Courier on the Monday: “Some idiot has removed the Yeoford sign and replaced it with Crockernwell.

“I don’t know if Crockernwell is now Yeoford.”

Later that morning a local resident, Bruce Abbott, said on the village Facebook page: “I found the Yeoford sign in the ditch and replaced it.

“Both signs are damaged.”

The four Crediton road signs which were replaced after all four on the approach to the town went missing in February 2025.
The four Crediton road signs which were replaced after all four on the approach to the town went missing in February 2025. (Alan Quick, Crediton Courier)

The incident follows a similar incident in September 2023 where Lapford residents discovered a village road sign had been replaced with one from Coleford.

On January 24, 2025, all four Crediton town entrance signs disappeared overnight.

Emily Armitage, Crediton Town Council administration officer, said about the missing signs in February 2025: "We checked that they weren't removed by the county council for any reason so we can only assume they were taken and probably melted down for scrap.”

The Crockernwell sign was replaced with one from Bow, the Crediton sign replaced with one from Zeal Monachorum.
The Crockernwell sign was replaced with one from Bow, the Crediton sign replaced with one from Zeal Monachorum. (Images by Linda Best Hoban and Tom Cockerham)

Unfortunately, the cost of replacing the signs cost hundreds of pounds which had to be paid for by Crediton Town Council, ultimately by Crediton residents through their council tax.

The public is asked to remain vigilant to ensure road signs are not stolen.

There has been discussion about inserting tracker devices into signs.