Peak sculptures unveiled

Sculptures which have been commissioned to stand alongside 18th century Peak District waymarkers were unveiled by the Duke of Devonshire yesterday.
By The Newsroom
Published 24th May 2010, 21:58 BST
Updated 24th May 2010, 21:59 BST

The "companion stones" will form the centrepiece of an exhibition at Edale's Moorland Centre before they are moved to where so-called Guide Stoops now stand.

Guide Stoops were first erected about 300 years ago to help travellers across treacherous moors, each stoop providing directions to the nearest market town.

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The new companion stones also contain text carvings, written by poets and artists who work in the Peak District National Park, and have been created as part of a project organised by Arts in the Peak.

According to those behind the scheme, the Duke, seen above with Charles Monkhouse, who devised and led the project, has taken a keen interest in the creation of the 12 sculptures. They will be exhibited until mid-July before they are transported to their moorland sites.

They were made by sculptor Amanda Wray in Wirksworth and masons at Heritage Stoneworks in Tideswell. Mr Monkhouse said: "The real inspiration are the Guide Stoops, which though functionless today, tell of the landscape at the time of their making." Picture: Chris Lawton.

Related topics:Peak DistrictArts