Raising the Chevin Cross

On Saturday 28th March the Easter Cross was erected on the top of Otley Chevin. The cross on the Chevin, which was installed for the first time in 1969, has now become a well-known and loved Easter symbol of hope. The cross, which was replaced after 31 years for the new millennium, was the brainchild of the Otley Council of Christian Churches and is a fine example of a co-operative initiative, which has become a source of comfort and inspiration to many people.

The first cross, which was 36ft high, was blown down in high winds on the first night it was put up. The badly damaged cross was worked on overnight and put up once again the next day - although six feet shorter. It has been erected every Easter since and also at New Year at the end of 1999 to celebrate the Millennium. When the new cross was built for Easter 2000, it reverted back to the original specifications. Wood used in the new cross was from timbers salvaged from the bombed Arndale Centre in Manchester. The new cross was built by Brent Thompson from Ilkley.

The pictures below, with some descriptions where appropriate show the events of the morning.

Loading the wagon in Otley from the garage with the sections of the cross before it is transported to the summit of the Chevin.

The main two sections are bolted together.

The assemblers and erectors gather together.

The cross section is put into position.

The cross piece is bolted into position.

Helpers get ready for the lift.

Howard gives the instructions to pull.

The cross is lifted.

Guylines are tigtened.

A job well done.

View of the Cross on the skyline from the centre of Otley.

Kentmere, Yoke & Society AGM

On Saturday 21st March I went up to the Lake District for the Wainwright Society AGM at Stavelely in the afternoon. In the morning, however, I went up to Kentmere and walked up to Garburn Pass and then onto the neighbouring fell of Yoke which is 2309 feet high. The pictures below are taken throughout the day with titles below where appropriate.

The Kentmere Valley.

St. Cuthbert's Church on the hill.

First view of Yoke and the Ill Bell Ridge.

Sheepdog at Brow Top.

Weathered footpath sign.

New sign indicting the way to Garburn Pass.

The track with Yoke in the background.

Hall Gill.

Sheep shall safely graze.

Badger Rock.

First mountain biker of the day (many more to be seen later).

Piked Howes and Yoke.

Looking across to Sallows.

The long and winding road!

Castle Crag.

The Ill Bell Ridge.

Ill Bell.

Walkers with their English Setter.

Another biker.

The gate by the summit of Garburn Pass.

The track leading up to Yoke.

The flat plain below the summit with Caudale Moor in the background.

The wall is followed back down from the summit.

Looking back along the ridge.

Sheep on the lookout.

Crossing Saletarn Knotts.

Near Buck Crag looking down to Kentmere.

View back up to Yoke across Saletarn Knotts.

Stream below Buck Crag.

The newly-created zig zags.

Warning sign.

Looking across Rowntree Knott to the ridge.

Clear mountain stream.

View over Ewe Crags to the ridge.

Final view up to the ridge.

Two fell runners coming down from Garburn Pass.

Kentmere Pike in the distance.

A sudden plethora of mountain bikers.

The bottom end of Ewe Crags.

The approach to the village.

A last glimpse back up to Yoke.

St. Cuthbert's Church.

Newly born lambs below the Church.

Terry Fletcher, Editor of Cumbria magazine, our guest speaker at the AGM.

Chairman Eric Robson presents the Society Walks organiser Caroline Nicol with her honorary membership at the meeting.