Due to tree roots, the ‘Market Cross’ within the Chapeltown Memorial Gardens had become unstable. A proposed garden redesign suggested that the Grade II Listed Monument should be relocated from the entranceway for 2 reasons; to avoid the tree roots and to permit wheelchair access. Planning had been approved for the works prior to commencement.
The history of the Cross is understood to have been originally situated outside the Chetham Arms Inn. The monument was relocated in 1845 to Turton Tower. In 1933 it was moved by the Turton Urban District Council to the entrance at the Community Garden – a very short distance away from the Chetham Arms.
While the timber Cross and lead-cap are modern adaptions, the medieval cross is seated upon an unusual sandstone pieced base, which then tapers to a cylinder to hold the wooden cross shaft.
The medieval monument was to be corrected and moved to the centre of the path intersection, circa 3 metres into the memorial garden. This involved excavating the existing Setts to both locations. Although we did not uncover the deep-set tree roots, we were able to level the entranceway setts. The roots may cause further issues in the future however, the tree is being assessed separately.
We laid the original stone base onto a concrete pad foundation due to the soft ground. We repointed the base with lime mortar, which had previously been pointed in a failing cementitious mix.
The Setts were reformed accordingly in the 2 areas. After treating the Cross timber with much needed 2 coats of oil, we installed it back into the newly positioned original stone base. We rebuilt a stone wall at the front of the garden which appeared to be failing under the weight of the coping.
The works were instructed to ourselves as part of a wider grant funded project by the National Lottery Community Fund and North Turton Parish Council. Working together with Edgworth and District Horticultural Society, Judithe Harrison agardendesigner.co.uk and her team restored the Community Garden. On Saturday 28th September 2024 at 3pm, the Memorial Garden was officially opened in a ribbon cutting ceremony. The Grade II Listed Village Stocks are also situated within the Garden.
