Howden market cross

 Yesterday, 22nd October, an accident occurred in Howden Market Place when a vehicle crashed into Howden's Market Cross and demolished it. I thought it would be a good idea to write a little bit of history about the  market and the cross.

Howden has had a market since the time of King John when the right to hold a market was granted to the bishop of Durham. He leased the right in the eighteenth century to the Jefferson family who then sub-let it. In 1861 for example Thomas Brown was the 'occupier of the market tolls'. In 1870 the Howden Market Hall company was established with the aim of building a market hall. The hall, now known as the Shire hall, was opened in October 1872. The company bought the rights to hold markets from the Ecclesiastical Commissioners for £150.

We can only presume that the market cross 'steps' date from medieval times but perhaps when they are repaired some archaeological remains may be found.

The earliest image I have of the cross is from a book illustration published in 1881 when there is no cross - just a wooden stump.

But this drawing must date from earlier than 1881 as above is a picture of the Market Place from before the Shire hall was built and by then the stone steps were crowned with a gas lamp.

I have many other pictures of the 'steps' with the gas lamp on top and it remained like this until  December 1908 when the gas lamp was removed.

It was reported in February 1909 that

"owing to unfavourable weather the old  Market Cross still presents an eyesore the  Market-place.  Mrs Sinclair-Clarke, of Knedlington  Manor, has undertaken to defray the cost of  its  restoration".  

Then on Friday 28 May 1909 we read

 "That work has been commenced on the new  Market Cross, presented by Mrs Sinclair Clarke,  Knedlington Manor. The foundation stone was laid on Tuesday  evening by Mr C. Wilkinson, in the presence  of interested residents"

Then in July it was reported that 

A very artistic brass tablet has been affixed to the newly-erected Market Cross. It bears the following inscription: This cross  was erected and presented to the town of Howden by Jane, widow of Thomas Sinclair Clarke Esq of Knedlington Manor May 27th 1909

The cross was carved by Mr Thomas Simpson Ullathorne of Selby who was the architect of restoration work at Selby Abbey.

Here is a postcard view when it was described as 'the new cross'

Since then it has been a feature in so many pictures and has been sat on and played on by most Howden residents.

But it was obviously in a poor way by 1954 when in January it was reported that the 

"dangerous condition of the Market cross was  discussed at Howden Parish Council meeting, when the  Clerk reported that the Rural Council declined responsibility.  The chairman. Mr E. Willmott, said a serious situation  must arise if the cross collapsed while children were playing  on it. Mr Brewster said he thought the  cross could collapse at any time  time. The council agreed to  communicate further with the  Rural Council". 

There was then some argument about whether a surplus  £15  from the Coronation celebrations could be used to repair the cross base but this was settled when on 13th March 1954  we read that

 "The Coronation Committee wished to spend the balance on repairing the base of the Market Cross,  but the Parish Council held that the money should be returned to them because a 2d rate was voted for the festivities. The  matter was referred to the District Auditor, who, in a letter  to the Parish Council this week, expressed the opinion that  the Coronation Committee should be permitted to spend the  £l5 on the Market Cross"

. 

It was then listed by the Ministry of Works as of historic and architectural interest but not as an ancient monument. This meant that they were not responsible for its repair and the  a newly formed committee could to get to work. They raised £80 to carry out the work which was presumably done.

I, like many local people was saddened to see the what happened yesterday. It could have been much worse  as no one was injured but I hope to see the cross repaired. It has survived storms and wars and seen so much of Howden's history.