In our April edition, we reported how our neighbours at Thorpe
Thewles History Group (TTHG) were undertaking several exciting
projects. The News is pleased to summarise their report on the amazing story
of the hunt for the Thorpe Cross.
In 2010, TTHG stumbled upon a fleeting reference to a forgotten monument—
the Thorpe Cross— in an old county history book. Intrigued, they traced the
mention to a pair of medieval land charters from 1199 housed in the British
Library. After translating the Latin documents, they uncovered the only known
written evidence of this ancient wayside cross, once a prominent landmark in
Thorpe Thewles.
Determined to locate any remnants, TTHG launched an online appeal. Just as
hope was fading, Maureen Pinkney of Carlton reached out with a tip: a stone in
a farmhouse garden rockery matched the description. A visit confirmed the find
- an ornately carved sandstone block typical of Anglo-Saxon crosses. Further
exploration revealed two more sculpted fragments. These pieces, now safely in
TTHG’s care, fit together to form a nearly complete one metre shaft - possibly
part of the long-lost Thorpe Cross.
Insights from locals Edith and Allan Chisholm revealed that the stones were
first discovered in the 1960s by farmer Fred Hall. They had been embedded in
the floor of a disused gin gang—a horse-powered mill. TTHG used map
regression and artefact analysis, including a clay pipe embedded in a brick, to
date the gin gang’s construction between 1840 and 1856.
While the shaft’s origins remain uncertain, its historical significance is clear.
TTHG has now partnered with Durham University and the Corpus of Anglo-
Saxon Stone Sculpture for a grant-funded research project. Experts have
declared the find of “national importance”—a thrilling step forward in
uncovering the cross’s true story.
The research findings are due to be published by the end of the year and, in
early 2026, TTHG will give a free public presentation on the findings and a 3D
interactive model of the cross will be made available on the TTHG website.
We’ll report back in the New Year—when expert insight may confirm whether
this remarkable find is indeed the Thorpe Cross.
Having these devices allows us to
think again about how best we can
plan and deliver lessons to support
every child in the school to achieve
their full potential. We’re already
excited to see the way in which the
iPads are being used in lessons and
look forward to continuing to develop
our approach to see transformative
enhancements to the way we teach
and the way our children learn!
The
children have also loved exploring the
different areas of our Nursery
provision. From mark-making - that
sparks early writing skills -
to domestic role-play areas that
inspire imagination and teamwork.
