KINGSBRIDGE Cookworthy Museum can announce an exciting addition to their collection, thanks to the generosity of local people and businesses.

The former toll gate posts that were once situated at the top of Fore Street, and spent many years as a feature of a Fore Street house, have been gifted to the museum by Mr and Mrs Gall.

Toll roads were introduced in the 1700’s through turnpike trusts, as a way of paying for road repairs. The toll posts would have been seen at the gate by visitors and locals going in and out of Kingsbridge, and can be identified in many old photographs.

Toll roads were gradually abolished from the 1870’s and the Fore Street toll gate was dismantled in 1884.

Moving the posts proved a challenge though, as each one is made of granite and weighs about a tonne. Thankfully Keith Wingate of WM Construction and Stuart Lethbridge of Cuming Containers stepped in and helped to remove them.

The gate posts are currently being stored in a safe place. We hope to be able to install them in the Museum over the winter so that they will be on show next year, and more people can learn about their interesting history.

If you are interested in donating to help the Museum install the posts and display board, or would like to sponsor this project, please contact us on 01548 853235 or email: [email protected]