This is the second in a series of events to highlight some of the market crosses that can be found within Derbyshire, with this one taking us to the village of Clowne.
Market Crosses date from as early as the 7th Century & examples can still be found in over 200 towns & villages within Britain. They were used to simply denote a place where a market or fair would be held. But this required a charter to have been granted, normally by a monarch, bishop or baron. Originally simple structures often made from wood, these developed into a variety of designs including stone obelisks or spires as well as intricately carved crosses. Sometimes large & elaborate covered structures were built. Unfortunately, many have not survived & some remain only partially intact. In several places the remains of the market cross can be found in the local churchyard.
Clowne market cross dates from medieval times although all that remains from that period is the base. This consists of three octagonal sandstone steps surmounted by an 18th Century socle, or socket stone, which holds a cylindrical shaft. This rises to a square lantern head with the remains of a sundial & a ball finial above. There used to be a metal cross mounted on the ball finial, but this has been broken off, as has the metal gnomen from the sundail. It was designated a Grade II Listed Building in 1965.
This short event will give us an opportunity to meet up safely outside for some geochat & to swap trackables in hopefully peaceful & beautiful surroundings. I have provided a waypoint for free parking in Church Street car park or you can use a bus to reach Clowne. I have also added a couple of unusual attributes that hopefully won't be required! There is a good range of caches in the area, if you haven't found them already. There may even be a new cache published for the occasion...