A group of concerned Maughold parishioners have called a meeting with Manx National Heritage [MNH] to discuss the future of how the church’s ancient stone crosses are stored.

The crosses are currently housed in a small wooden shelter, which was designed by renowned architect Armitage Rigby and built in 1906.

slabs

Almost a third of all pre-Norse cross slabs found on the island are housed in the shelter. The Pillar Cross, which dates from around 1300 AD and depicts the oldest stone-carved example of the three legs of Mann symbol on the island, is housed in the church itself.

Pam Kerruish, who organised the group of 12 parishioners that petitioned for the meeting, described the ’invaluable’ crosses as ’being in a state of complete neglect’ where they are currently housed.

She pointed out that MNH (the crosses’ guardians) and Maughold Church (their owners) had been in discussion for 17 years about how to best display and protect them, which she said was her biggest frustration.

Mrs Kerruish said that the residents had become ’really fed up with this’ and this was why they had called a Captain of the Parish requisition meeting, due to take place next Friday (May 14), 7.30pm at Maughold Church Hall, to discuss how the artefacts would be ’properly protected and promoted’.

She highlighted that the crosses were not protected in the open air shelter, and could be stolen or defaced, adding that MNH conservator Christopher Weeks had said that the deterioration of the crosses was being ’measured’.

’As far as I’m concerned, measuring the deterioration won’t cut it - you’ve got to stop them deteriorating’, she said.

Mrs Kerruish also said that the way the crosses were displayed could be improved, and that the current signage with information about the crosses is too small and insufficient.

In addition, she thought it ineffective how each cross is labelled with a reference number, which people must take a note of before walking across the shelter to compare it to the information plaque.

Mrs Kerruish said that the majority of parishioners in the group agreed that the crosses would need to be moved to a different location in Maughold, but the question was around what sort of structure would be needed to house them.

She added: ’I think this is going to be quite a lively meeting, because a lot of people have got very strong opinions - one resident described [the situation] as "scandalous".’

’Loads of people have got opinions, and of course you have to find land,and money [for the move] etc.

’But until you have a plan you can’t even begin to set the ball rolling about how they are going to be properly protected or promoted.’

Manx National Heritage confirmed that a few years ago its trustees had agreed to fund a feasibility study for a replacement Cross House at Maughold, which working with the Parish Church Council, identified a preferred site immediately outside the church gates, but in private ownership.

discussion

MNH said that discussions have taken place with the landowner about its potential use.

No concept design has yet been undertaken pending the owner’s permission to access the site, with MNH adding that the pandemic has also caused delays.

An MNH spokesman said: ’The number of stones at Maughold, their general condition and exposure puts them at the top of the conservation agenda.

’The building affords only partial shelter from the elements, gives no protection from mechanical damage or vandalism, and does not provide sufficient space for viewing or interpreting the display.

MNH added that it had agreed with the Parochial Church Council to keep the crosses in Maughold and as close to the church as possible.

The preferred option is a new building which ’not only protects the crosses for the future but allows them to be seen and understood properly by the local community and visitors alike’.