Historic parish boundary stone is put in place (From Cotswold Journal)

Historic parish boundary stone is put in place

10:40am Sunday 20th May 2012 in News

THE first parish boundary stone to be installed in Gloucestershire in more than a century has been laid in Chipping Campden.

Carved out of Cotswold stone and standing about four feet tall, it is the first of nine stones to be erected on the parish boundaries of Ebrington, to commemorate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

About 40 residents turned out on Tuesday last week to see the first stone installed outside the Campden BRI building, which was officially unveiled by the director of the firm, Professor Steven Walker.

Members of Chipping Campden Town Council and Campden district councillor Mark Annett were there, along with Paul Keyte, who runs the Oathill Quarry, in Temple Guiting and donated the stones, as well as stonemason Matt Proctor, who carved them.

The rest of the stones will be erected around the boundaries of Ebrington – Quinton, Admington, Ilmington, Stretton-on- Fosse, Mickleton and Blockley up until the end of the month.

The Lord-Lieutenant Dame Janet Trotter will officially unveil the stones on Saturday, June 2, outside Ebrington Village Hall.

Tony Boyse, Ebrington resident and Diamond Jubilee committee member, who came up with the idea to have the stones in each of the neighbouring parishes, said: “It was a great thrill to see the first one erected.

It’s been eight months since we first thought of the idea.

“It was great to actually see it in place and that stone being so welcomed by the Ebrington parish. Everybody’s behind it.

“The stones will be there for many years as a lasting legacy of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.”

An extra stone is also being erected in Elm Grove, Ebrington, to commemorate the opening of an affordable housing development.

Campden district councillor Mark Annett said at the last town council meeting: “It’s a cracking stone. All credit to them.”

The committee is still raising money to pay for the carving of the stones. For details or to donate, call Tony Boyse on 01386 593302 or e-mail boyse@tesco.net.