Ellie Ames 17 May 2024

Apostrophe ‘lives on’ in North Yorkshire

Apostrophe ‘lives on’ in North Yorkshire image
The street sign for 'St Mary's Walk', Harrogate, in 2022. Image: Google Maps

North Yorkshire Council is ditching plans to stop using apostrophes on street signs and has promised to reinstate the punctuation mark on a controversial sign.

It follows local dismay and widespread media coverage, which reached Australia, after the unitary authority said it was ditching the apostrophe because of problems during database searches.

Executive member for highways and transport Keane Duncan said: ‘I am pleased to confirm that this council is not abandoning standards.

‘The apostrophe lives on here in North Yorkshire.’

Cllr Duncan said all new signs would be fully punctuated, with hyphens and ampersands as well as apostrophes, and there would be no ‘unnecessary abbreviation’ of street names.

The council will also replace a controversial ‘St Mary’s Walk’ sign, on which it had omitted the apostrophe– although a resident has already corrected the sign’s grammar in pen.

The chairman of the Apostrophe Protection Society, Bob McCalden, said he was ‘absolutely delighted’ to hear the news.

He said: ‘The Apostrophe Protection Society continues to encourage all local councils to continue to celebrate the social history behind their street names and to keep apostrophes where they should be.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Cleaner and Caretaker

North Yorkshire Council
£12.65 - £13.47 per hour
Are you looking for a cleaning role that is a little different? Ripon, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Cleaner and Caretaker

North Yorkshire Council
£12.65 - £13.47 per hour
Are you looking for a cleaning role that is a little different? Bradley, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Specialist Customer Service Officer

Oxfordshire County Council
£31,537 - £34,434 per annum
Are you passionate about helping others and making a real impact in your community? We’re looking for Specialist Customer Service Officers to join our dynamic Contact Centre team, the first point of contact for a wide range of essential services acros Oxfordshire County Council , County Hall, Oxford
Recuriter: Oxfordshire County Council

Cook

North Yorkshire Council
£13.47 - £14.13 per hour
Are you keen to join a friendly team who are committed to making a real impact in their local community? Lancaster, Lancashire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Catering Assistant

North Yorkshire Council
£12.65 - £12.65 per hour
We have an opportunity to join our award-winning Facilities Management catering team. North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council
Linkedin Banner