Anyone want to help me decipher the name of my house? [pic included]

[Bobkitten]

Hello all,

I’ve lived in my house over a year and only a few days ago I noticed that the concrete pillar outside our house has worn letters on it.

I’m very curious as to what they say, but try as I might, I can’t make out the word.

Any suggestions?

Do you live anywhere near Herefordshire, OP?

Some lovely old maps here: www.francisfrith.com/chilstone/maps

Love the cat’s arse, @SoupDragon, that’s made my day

I haven’t done the rubbing yet (it’s cold and wet out there), but will try to do one tomorrow.

I agree it looks most like Chilstone and it’s interesting that the non-painted lintels of houses nearby match the creamy white of the stone that can be seen on Chilstone’s website.

But, did Chilstone ever build houses? Whether they did in the past is not clear, but now at least they seem to specialise in garden ornaments and architectural features. And in any case, wouldn’t it be a little odd for them to put their name on the top of the pillar? I mean, I know advertising and all that, but still... Was this a ‘thing’ in the 30s, I wonder?

I’m in South Wales, for those who were asking.

I definitely need to look at my neighbour’s pillar!

I think the third letter is an M
So possibly CAMSTONE

The spacing really isn't right for Chilstone. If you think about a box with each letter in, the upright of an L is on the left whereas T is centred in the box. The upright on the sign is centred. If the first 3 letters are CHI then the 4th has to be T.

Can you take a photo from the side in the dark/wet with light shining ? Might show up something different...

I think it says Christoni. Previous owners have spliced their names to name their home after themselves.

I asked my stonemason friend. It's CHILSTON

Except it's not, it has an E on the end

I agree the spacing is not right for CHIL, it's got to be CHITSTONE.