Welcome to the official web site of Littleton Parish Council. Littleton is a small Cheshire village, only three miles from the city of Chester. Introduction to Littleton...
The long-awaited new cross has been erected
at the corner of Hare Lane and Tarvin Road.
It was unveiled on Sunday 23rd November by the Lord Mayor, see below.
The Vicars Cross in Littleton
The official unveiling of the Vicars Cross in Littleton by His Worship the Lord Mayor concludes many years of planning by Littleton Parish Council.
The "Vicar's Cross" monument is made from reconstituted stone by David Mamwell of Grosvenor Stone. Designed by Liverpool based sculptor, Alan Eddy, the cross was fixed on site by W E Parsons of Ellesmere Port in April 2008.
The cross was defined in 1613 as a one of four "squared stone eight yard high" landmarks which marked the boundaries of townships and estates.
The origin of "Vicar's Cross" has become confused by more contemporary uses of the phrase such as the "Vicar's Cross" postal district and the "Vicar's Cross" crossroads.
At the beginning of the Second World War, Parish Council Chairman Ted Kirk witnessed the arrival of British troops on land where the remains of a stone cross lay partially buried. During 1942 the British troops were replaced by Americans who proceeded to build more Nissan huts on the site. At this point what was left of the cross was rescued and put to rest in relative safety at the rear of glass houses behind property on Tarvin Road where it has remained since.
Over 50 years later Littleton resident Frank McLelland wrote to the Parish Council suggesting that the "Vicars Cross" be reinstated as a project to mark the Millennium. The Parish Council decided to commission a landmark which referenced the past but also looked forward, as well as highlighting values associated with community aspirations. They made bids for funding towards the construction and installation costs and were pleased to secure grants from Chester City Council's Gowy North Local Panel.
David Mamwell of Grosvenor Stone took up the challenge to manufacture the cross by employing Alan Eddy to develop the Parish Council's brief and produce a full scale version. From this model moulds from which the cross could be cast in reconstituted stone were produced. During the final stages, local resident Geoff Clifton kindly offered the Parish Council suggestions as to how the cross could be fixed on site.
A new landmark for Littleton
See some photos at the unveiling
The Parish Council met on Monday 27 October 2008. Read a summary of what they discussed.