SK5843 : Boundary Marker, Woodthorpe Drive Top
taken 10 years ago, near to Arnold, Nottinghamshire, England
The boundary of the City of Nottingham is marked with over 20 cast iron markers in a distinctive semicircular form with rounded top. The majority date from the expansion of the city in 1933, but there are a number of older ones, including some delineating parish boundaries between different Poor Law boards in the 19th century. The earliest is dated 1849.
The markers include a number erected by Carlton Urban District Council, generally as a twin to a Nottingham one, although in many cases the twin has disappeared.
Overall nearly 50 locations are shown on OS maps, but a number have disappeared and the existence of others is difficult to ascertain as they are located in private gardens, etc.
Listed buildings and structures are officially designated as being of special architectural, historical or cultural significance. There are over half a million listed structures in the United Kingdom, covered by around 375,000 listings.
Listed status is more commonly associated with buildings or groups of buildings, however it can cover many other structures, including bridges, headstones, steps, ponds, monuments, walls, phone boxes, wrecks, parks, and heritage sites, and in more recent times a road crossing (Abbey Road) and graffiti art (Banksy 'Spy-booth') have been included.
In England and Wales there are three main listing designations;
Grade I (2.5%) - exceptional interest, sometimes considered to be internationally important.
Grade II* (5.5%) - particularly important buildings of more than special interest.
Grade II (92%) - nationally important and of special interest.
There are also locally listed structures (at the discretion of local authorities) using A, B and C designations.
In Scotland three classifications are also used but the criteria are different. There are around 47,500 Listed buildings.
Category A (8%)- generally equivalent to Grade I and II* in England and Wales
Category B (51%)- this appears generally to cover the ground of Grade II, recognising national importance.
Category C (41%)- buildings of local importance, probably with some overlap with English Grade II.
In Northern Ireland the criteria are similar to Scotland, but the classifications are:
Grade A (2.3%)
Grade B+ (4.7%)
Grade B (93%)
Read more at Wikipedia Link