Traditional signwriter Mick Pollard, who has left his creative mark on many shops and pubs in historic Rochester High Street, has received an award.

Known affectionately across Medway as Mick the Brush, Mr Pollard’s work has been recognised by City of Rochester Society members with their annual conservation prize.

Mr Pollard, who has a studio in Victoria Street, was singled out for his painstaking restoration work on a Victorian pillar box outside the Guildhall Museum. The distinctive green box with ornate gold leaf gilding is one of just a few remaining.

The 57-year-old is passionate about his craft and last year organised an international signwriters’ convention at the Corn Exchange.

He refurbished the letter box with help from apprentices as part of a project at the UK Letterheads Meet 2014.

He said: “I am pleased to get the award not just for myself, but because it is a recognition of traditional skills.

“It is a great shame that there are hardly any traditional writers out there under the age of 40.

Society president Bob Ratcliffe said: “I’m delighted the society has honoured Mick Pollard in this way. He is keeping alive the old traditional craft of signwriting and has contributed significantly to improving the street scene.”

Mr Pollard, whose career has spanned 30 years, now runs his business with daughter Kate Belmonte, 30, who specialises in vinyl and digitally printed signage for companies throughout the South-East.

It was after joining the Royal Engineers at the age of 16 that Mr Pollard’s talent was spotted.

He tossed a drawing of some weapons into a skip, which
was picked up by a quartermaster and he was made the
infantry’s signwriter.

After leaving the Army he got a job in Maidstone and left after 18 months to go self-employed.

He started off creating his signs in a shed at the bottom of his garden in Livingstone Road, Gillingham.

He said: “It was tough at first. I had family including two daughters to feed. I went from being number one in the Army to having to up my game in civvy street.”

Gradually, through word of mouth his reputation grew and he is now known as one of the most respected signwriters in the country.