Cross In Churchyard About 11 Metres North Of Tower, Church Of St Mary The Virgin

The churchyard cross, located about 11 metres north of the tower of the Church of St Mary the Virgin, dates from the 13th century for the top and features a base from 1911. It is constructed from Ham stone ashlar. The cross has an octagonal two-step base, with the lower step measuring about 2 metres across. Above this is an octagonal plinth that is chamfered on the top edges, featuring inscriptions on the south-east and east faces. The shaft is also octagonal and tapers to a floriated ball top, upon which sits the medieval cross. One side of the cross displays a carving of a seated Virgin Mary, while the other depicts the crucifixion, showing Mary and John. The ends of the cross have trefoiled arched niches with figures, including one of a mitred abbot. Originally, the cross head was made of iron and served as a roadside cross, but its base disappeared by the early 19th century and was later found incorporated into a garden wall. The current base and shaft were erected to commemorate Robert Chaffey, who died in 1911, as well as the Coronation of King George V, and were possibly designed by C.E. Ponting.