@shitchester

Cross set to move after 50 year lease expires – April Fool

Update : This post is an April fool

A notice has been attached to Chester Cross announcing that the historic monument is set to move after the expiry of its lease.

Originally located at the junction of Chester’s 4 main streets, the Cross was damaged by rampaging Parliamentary forces during the Civil War, with the remnants reconstructed in the Roman Gardens. In 1975 the Civic Trust led a campaign to restore the Cross to its original home as part of Chester’s contribution to the European Architectural Heritage Year . The Cross was installed by stone masons with its position determined by the accumulation of pipes and cables laid in the area. Pedestrianisation of the area provided the momentum for the restoration.

Now The Cross will be on the move again, according to the notice discovered early this morning which reads:

“Take notice that, as of today’s date, the lease of the stone edifice, currently known as THE HIGH CROSS, situated at the historic Roman Road crossing point in the City of CHESTER,
expires.
The true owners of the monument, from this time onward, now formerly known as THE HIGH
CROSS, assert their rights to return said stone structure into their private ownership.
The 1975 lease and contract between the true Owners, Chester City Council and Chester Civic Trust was signed to enable the monument, to be moved and erected near its original location.

The legal agreement has now reached its 50 year limit and the lease has therefore
expired. The true ownership, established in 1645 after Parliamentary Forces dismantled the
structure, is reasserted. In the name of the King, the true owners rescued the monument in
1645 and now reassert their rights to return it to their private estate.
Without prejudice : A forthcoming planning application to Cheshire West and Chester Council
by the owners will seek permission to replace the monument, formerly known as THE HIGH
CROSS, with a statue depicting the true owners, to honour their role in saving and then loaning their monument to the City of Chester for 50 years.”

Cheshire West and Chester Council have been approached for comment.

14 comments

  1. about time we modernised this area of the city with some decent modern art installation

    • Would hardly find a statue of the cross owner per the article would do anything to make things better.

    • If in your opinion you think the magnificent historic City of Chester needs modern art to perk it up, then you are probably living in the wrong place! Chester is one of the main wonderful representations of Roman and medieval history in the Uk, and it does not need modern art to make it fascinating.

  8. ha, ha. Very good. Read this after 12pm on 1 April, but it still counts.😂😂

  9. and if its not an April fool then those seeking to retake the monument should perhaps think again. What better tribute to their generosity. What a contrast to be a mealy mouthed demand to have their avarice commemorated by a plaque from a grateful citizenship. Elgin marbles spring to mind. British museum claimed to be saving the reliefs from wanton destruction in the Greek civil wars. Now the Greeks want em back. Chester has the cross where it should be. I do hope no misguided councillors would see fit to cowtow to any outrageous demands.

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