WALKERS out and about over Christmas can enjoy a fine stone cross on the North York Moors, which was dedicated on Sunday. It overlooks Rosedale and has a backdrop of open moorland.
This will join the ancient crosses and was commissioned to mark the millennium and placed there by residents of Rosedale village. AD2000 is carved into the base.
It is a local tradition to erect standing stones and crosses on the moorland, and the Rosedale and Hartoft millennium group thought this new cross would be a lasting way of marking the new millennium.
The national park and parish council supported the project, and Appleton le Moors stonemason Mr Geoff Hutchinson was commissioned to make it.
It is based on a 9th century Saxon wheelhead cross and both the idea and design were suggested by Mr David Haddon-Reece whose wife, Christine, is vicar of Topcliffe, near Thirsk. She was until recently curate for Rosedale, Lastingham, Cropton, Hutton-le-Hole and Appleton-le-Moors.
They have strong connections with the Rosedale area and have a cottage at Thorgill.
Mr Haddon-Reece said: "My wife blessed the cross at a dedication service when it was put in place on Sunday. Happily, we can see it from our house across the dale."
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