This is the eighth 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 old market town of Glossop.
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.
Glossop was granted a market charter in 1290 & it is believed that the millstone grit octagonal shaft of this cross dates from the 15th Century. It marks the original market place, used as such until 1839. Originally it would have been at the centre of an area capable of holding large livestock fairs. But over the years, traders began to prefer to work from shops, rather than open stalls & built their houses on the market ground where they held rights. By the early 20th Century, it found itself adjacent to #16 Church Street South! So it was decided to move it into a central position & the celtic cross at the top added in 1912 to mark the accession of George V in 1910. When relocated it was placed on a new plinth to protect it from iron-shod cartwheels. The Old Cross was Grade II listed in 1958. Over the years the tarmac road surface was raised, burying much of the plinth until in 2012 a car reversed into the cross, severely damaging it. In 2013 the plinth was reset into the road & the cross re-erected.
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 parking waypoint for the nearest public car park, which is a few minutes walk away through the pleasantly maintained Manor Park. There may also be space opposite the pub on Wellgate. Street parking in Old Glossop is very limited & tight due to the nature of the streets. Glossop also has good public transport links by bus & train. There are lots of caches in & around the town, with plenty of other attractions for families too, including a miniature railway in the park! There may even be a new cache published for the occasion...