Councillor's cross comments may be painted out before too long

A COUNCILLOR has called for restoration work to be carried out on an historic landmark in the centre of Beverley.

The Grade I listed Market Cross in Saturday Market is in need of a lick of paint and minor structural repairs, according to St Mary’s ward councillor Kate Gray.

Coun Gray, who is also a member of the town’s civic society, said: “It looks as if it’s in need of some tender loving care. We did have a walk around with John Skidmore (East Riding Council’s head of streetscene services) and the civic society and it’s been mentioned a couple of times.

“The rendering is coming off and it’s looking a bit sad. It’s one of the things which makes the town unique and should be protected.”

Designed by E Shelton of Wakefield, the Market Cross was built in 1714 and paid for by Sir Charles Hotham and Sir Michael Warton. It features four pairs of coupled Roman doric columns standing on an octagonal base of three steps, and four finely carved cartouches displaying Royal Arms (Hanoverian), and the arms of Beverley, Hotham and Warton in colour.

Maintenance and repairs were last made in 2003 after a car crashed into the cross.

A council spokesman said they hoped to find some money in the next financial year.