A FASCINATING walk and talk on Cornish Stone Crosses was given by Andrew Langdon in Blisland over the weekend of July 16.

This formed part of the fundraising efforts for St Catherine’s Church at Temple and was organised by the resident’s community sub group on behalf of Blisland Parochial Church Council.

The events provided a rare insight into the various types of stone cross and their use and function over the past thousand years. One of the most common and distinctive groups are wayside crosses which often marked boundaries and routes to the parish church. These monuments can display a parish character of distinctive style, and in Blisland this included small projections on the head and outer limbs of the cross.

Mr Langdon, who has been involved in many cross restoration projects, discussed the broad range of issues facing these monuments, particularly where they are affected by road schemes.

A good example viewed by the group is Peverells Cross on the A30 near Temple, which may become isolated from public access as result of the current road widening.

The walk enabled the chance to view some of Blisland’s finest crosses, including a number on private land by kind invitation of the landowners. An appreciative audience raised just over £100 towards the roof fund.