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Spratton Churchyard Project Progress Report

Spratton Churchyard Project Progress Report 2


The 14th century churchyard cross was leaning over and badly in need of repair. Ivy was growing round the shaft and through the stones of the pedestal. © Enid Jarvis
Another view of the 14th century churchyard cross that was badly in need of repair with ivy growing round the shaft and through the stones of the pedestal © Enid Jarvis
When the shaft and worn stones were carefully removed the mediaeval foundations were discovered. This showed us that the cross was in its original position and had not been moved to the churchyard from elsewhere as some had thought. © Enid Jarvis
The restored churchyard cross. After research by the Spratton Local History Society we realised that this was not a 'preaching' cross as we have been calling it for many years, but a cross built in the 14th century outside the south door to help the congregation remember their devotions as they came into the church. © Enid Jarvis


   
   
Spratton Churchyard Project Progress Report
 Location: Northamptonshire

The Spratton Churchyard Project is going well and we are all working towards our grand finale in May 2004.
Here is the story of how we have restored our ‘Preaching’ Cross and Listed Tombs.

We began by employing a specialist firm of stonemasons to repair our 14th century ‘preaching’ cross under the guidance of English Heritage and our church architect. Spratton Local History Society carried out research at the Northampton Record Office and Northampton Central Library (Local Studies department) and came up with some interesting results. Our cross is not a preaching cross at all. It was apparently the custom in the 14th/15th centuries to erect stone crosses in churchyards to the south-east of the south door so that everyone could see the cross as they entered and left the church. This is exactly the position of the cross at St Andrew’s. The church architect confirmed that the foundations of the cross were mediaeval and that therefore it was in its original position and had not been moved from elsewhere, as some had thought. For us, these are major pieces of new information about our heritage.

The specialist stone masons also strengthened and straightened two 18th century listed chest tombs. There was consternation from passing villagers when they saw the men removing the tomb lids and the vicar was hastily called. All was well, when people were invited to look inside the tombs and saw only ivy, not bodies! From their database, Spratton Local History Society provided us with the family histories of those buried in the tombs.

Another large tomb surrounded with iron railings was found to need much more work than originally quoted for and the new costs were prohibitive. This has been our only disappointment so far.

The Local History Society is researching the names on the War Memorial. We find we have one or two interesting men commemorated, including Lt. W B Rhodes-Moorhouse who served in the Royal Flying Corps in World War 1 and was awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross. He was the first airman ever to be awarded the Victoria Cross.

Volunteers have spent a considerable amount of time clearing the churchyard of weeds and painting the railings round six of the graves.




 


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