Newsletter No. 3

January 2000

On the subject of Open Days, during the summer we hope to be able to keep the church open on Saturday mornings to coincide with the Museum openings. If you can spare 2 hours to help on one of the mornings there is a space for volunteering on the green membership renewal slips enclosed. Thank you for your past support, we hope we can count on you to renew your membership, which is now due. On this note of optimism, I close............

The cross in the churchyard at St Mary's is the most elaborate example of medieval sculpture in the town. Certainly it stands in contrast to the interior of St Mary's church which, apart from the Norman chancel arch has very little ornamentation. Its importance in terms of the national heritage is recognised by its status as both a 'scheduled ancient monument' and a 'listed building'. What does the cross tell us about the medieval history of the church?

Well, for a start, it isn't a cross in the conventional sense at all. A small iron cross surmounts the sculpture, but this is certainly a later addition, possibly Victorian. The sculpture is technically a 'lantern', consisting of a square stone column about twice as high as it is wide set on top of a tapering shaft, giving the sculptor four panels to carve, each separated by a stone 'frame' supported on the backs of four angels. The sculpture stands on an octagonal base of three steps.

The fact that the Crucifixion faces away from the street has led some commentators to suggest that the carved lantern has at some date been reset the 'wrong' way round, and that this scene would have originally faced the street. Certainly the cross has been repaired at various dates. The shaft is probably not original, but itself shows signs of patching. In the early part of this century it was blown down in a storm. Parish records include a book recording donations from the local parishioners for its repair.

However, a little further research into the two unidentified panels suggests that we are in fact seeing the lantern as originally intended. The 'Queen and Knight' facing the street was suggested to be a depiction of the Annunciation in the 1940's, and an inspection of the Bishop with crozier shows there is a second figure or group of figures to the West of the bishop, though much damaged. If this is also a Biblical scene, it may in fact be the presentation of Christ at the Temple, with the 'Bishop' being St Simeon. If this is the case, then what we have here are not scenes from the life of Christ but from the life of the Virgin Mary, starting at the Annunciation facing the street, and proceeding anti-clockwise around the sculpture in chronological sequence, ending with the Assumption.

Though damaged now, the style of what remains of the carvings suggests a date for the lantern in the 14^th century. The presence of the lantern here at that date supports the assumption that the church itself was dedicated to St Mary during the medieval period, further strengthening the possible connection of the church with Abingdon Abbey (also dedicated to St Mary) mentioned in an earlier article. Abingdon Abbey was in fact a major centre of medieval ecclesiastical sculpture. The famous 'Eleanor crosses' erected to commemorate the death of Queen Eleanor, wife to Edward I, in the early 14^th century (most famously at King's Cross in London) are attributed to a monk from this abbey. It is tempting to think that our lantern is perhaps also the gift of a major benefactor, perhaps commissioned from the abbey that had such a strong connection with the town.

THE CROSS IN THE 20TH CENTURY from Bernadette Yarnold

Following on from Edmund's article, and reproduced below, is the leaflet distributed by the Rector seeking donations for the repair of the Cross. The small cash book recording donations is in Wiltshire Record Office. Names of subscribers who can be identified (some are recorded by initials only) are given below. With the help of Mr Bert Nash, I have attempted to expand the detail with residence, occupation and occasional comment. Perhaps some of our members could fill in the gaps?

Cricklade St. Mary's

CHURCHYARD CROSS

Early this year the top portion of this Cross was blown down. The cost of repairing the damage done to this singularly beautiful cross amounts to £20. Mrs. Cyril Giles and Mrs. A. Robinson, members of the Church Council, have kindly consented to call round for donations. Donations of one shilling and upwards will be gratefully accepted by The Rector, and the Churchwardens. The work of refixing the Lantern and the broken pieces has been carried out by a skilled mason under the directions of Mr. W.A.H.Masters, Architect and Diocesan Surveyor, and of Mr. Weir the Architect to the Protection of Ancient Buildings Society.

16 April 1925

Signed: Charles Wray

Rector

Reproduced from a leaflet in Wiltshire Record Office 1632/64

Donations

One thing is obvious, the concern for the maintenance of the Churchyard Cross was not restricted to the parish of St Mary's, it was a matter for Cricklade as a whole. Similarly, today the parish of St Mary's is gratified to number amongst the Friends so many of the broader community of Cricklade.

Repairs to the masonry and stone work around the windows to the North wall, removing lower tiles and carrying out repairs to the rafters and their bearings; removing damaged wall plaster and reinstating; stripping ceiling to the North aisle roof and replacing; associated works to rain water goods and drainage; repairs/renewal of flashings and pointing to top of North aisle roof.

(Some of the costs are covered by the subsidence claim and the Trustees have agreed to cover the Policy excess of £20,000 on behalf of the parish).

The remedial works to this area are largely the work of a stone mason. This work needs to be undertaken in the near future as the wall is becoming dangerous and the footpath needs to be protected. Grants could be available from North Wiltshire Council - up to 50% for repair works, and 75% for enhancement work. The Conservation Officer indicates that English Heritage and the Historical Churches Committee will be involved, and the further complication is that an archaeological investigation may also be necessary during the course of the work in view of the location of an historic wall that crosses the boundary and extends up the North side of the church.

(The Conservation Officer for North Wiltshire Council has advised that Grants have already been expended for this financial year and that an application is needed to enable consideration in next financial year.)

The urgency of this work is not necessarily in the same category as the previous item although English Heritage is aware of the work that has been undertaken (pointing done a few years ago using incorrect mortar) and has said that it wants reinstatement. The nature of the damaging work is time consuming - the mortar has to be taken out and replaced, and would suit an experienced retired mason, doing this work over a number of months.

Tower roof repair

Initial inspection indicates that the lead covering to the tower roof needs repair - which from an economical point of view could probably best be done when scaffolding is erected for repointing repairs. Temporary measures could possibly be undertaken but would only delay works for a comparatively short time.

Roof over North chapel