MASONS have prepared designs for a new cross on a medieval village monument which was vandalised more than 500 years ago.

Aylburton’s High Cross was built in the 14th century, but the substantial base which stands at the centre of the village beside the Cross Inn needs restoration, while the actual cross itself was torn down during Henry VIII’s Reformation as a sign of ‘idolatory’.

Plans are in full swing to restore it to its former glory, but the challenge now is to raise the £53,000 required to carry out the work on the listed and scheduled monument, which stands at the centre of the Aylburton Conservation Area.

Lydney Park Estate paid for designs to be drawn up by Gloucester Cathedral’s masons to restore the wayside preaching cross, which is similar in design to the restored crosses in Lydney and Clearwell.

“It is a key meeting and rallying point, but it has been severely mutilated over the years by neglect, vandalism and inappropriate restoration, and action is now needed,” said Aylburton parish councillor John Harrison.

“As far as can be ascertained, the Aylburton Cross, the Clearwell Cross and the Lydney Cross are entirely unique in Britain in displaying large and impressive niches on each side of the centre section and must have involved considerable skill in their execution.”

Pascal Mychalysin, Master Mason at Gloucester Cathedral, said: “In essence this is a civil project by the parishioners of Aylburton on behalf of the community and needs full village support.

“This project represents the will of the community to restore a mutilated landmark and demonstrate the manifestation of its civic pride which, when completed, will bring back to life an important local landmark in the most spectacular fashion with a striking recreated new High Cross.

“This will demonstrate the highest of traditional skills and workmanship and all will be completed by the experienced Gloucester Cathedral masons.

“This public statement, carved in the finest Forest of Dean stone will have a bold, dramatic and long lasting impact. Nobody driving on the road to Gloucester or Chepstow will ever fail to notice what will become the most spectacular and memorable landmark on this road.”

Cllr Harrison added: “Travellers on the A48 cannot but notice the Aylburton High Cross. Villagers and visiting tourists alike see it as the centre-point of the village.

‘Indeed locals identify with the cross and it serves as a village focal point for the annual carnival and special occasions such as the traditional salmon supper. “

As the de facto owner of the cross, the parish council is spearheading the restoration campaign to raise funds. Cllr Harrison said he would be asking for volunteers to help launch a fundraising campaign, while the parish council would explore possible grant funding.

Any work on the cross will require clearance by Historic England, Gloucester County Council, and the Forest of Dean District Council, while insurance may also be needed.

The cross originally stood on Chapel Hill before the base was moved into the village, with the church, in Victorian times to save parishioners a difficult climb, and the parish council is its custodian.

The base was moved again in the 1960s when it became a traffic hazard.

The cross is believed to have been carved by Italian masons, because it probably had an ornate Gothic-style design known as ‘floriated’ which looked like a stylised flower, standing several metres high on a huge shaft.

The project to reinstate the cross, complete with four missing sculptures in the niches around the base, is supported by Aylburton Parish Council, and the Gloucester Cathedral Masons’ Division, with trainee masons supervised by master mason Paschal.