The Grampound Times
Summer 2006 (Edition 42 - Carnival Edition)
Our community in Cornwall
Nancor Cross
When you travel from Grampound in the direction of St. Austell, be it on foot or in a vehicle, you cannot fail to notice at the top of Grampound Hill the granite cross proudly standing at the Mevagissey junction, and have you ever wondered what stories that ancient piece of granite could tell about Grampound and its people, if only it could speak? Here at least is something about the monument itself that was originally supplied by the Cornwall Archaeology Unit.
NANCOR CROSS – GRAMPOUND WITH CREED
GOTHIC LATIN CROSS
“This cross head of fine grained granite was discovered just before the First World War, when a road was widened between Nancor Farm and Carwinnick Lane. At this time a hedge was removed and this carved Latin cross head was found. The stone was later restored with a new granite shaft and base stone, which was funded by J.C. WILLIAMS Esq., of Caerhayes Castle.
The completed monument was later set up at the junction of the A390 road with the minor road leading to Nancor. Here the cross stood for many years despite having its cross head broken off and repaired on several occasions. In 1984 the monument was removed when major road improvements commenced and was later re-erected on a grass verge beside a newly formed junction. Speculation as to whether this cross head was the missing head of the Fal Cross has not been authenticated. There are two fields mentioned under Nancor on the Tithe Apportionment Map of 1840, known as Cross Close, and Cross Close Meadow, which may indicate that a cross did originate here as well as at Fair Cross. Another reason suggesting that the two monuments are not related is the fact that they are cut from different materials.
The Latin cross head, which is octagonal in section, has a curious Crucifixion figure carved in relief upon it with Christ exhibiting an unusual head dress.”
Probably everyone realises that traffic from both directions is ‘flying’ when passing the site and to park anywhere near does need care, but if you haven’t done so before, stop off there one day and enjoy a close look at “The Nancor Cross”.
ROGER (Editor)
© 2006 Grampound with Creed Parish Council