Wanted: 50 people to resurrect Otley's Chevin Cross this weekend

OTLEY'S Chevin Cross, a now-traditional symbol of Easter high above the West Riding market town, will be hoisted into position on Saturday - and a call has gone out for volunteers.
Otley's Chevin CrossOtley's Chevin Cross
Otley's Chevin Cross

The cross on the Chevin was installed for the first time in 1968, the brainchild of the Otley Council of Christian Churches.

The first cross, which was 36ft high, was blown down in high winds and badly damaged the night after it was erected. After hasty overnight repair work, it was put up again the next day - although six feet shorter.

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It has been erected every Easter since and also at New Year at the end of 1999 to celebrate the Millennium. When a new cross was built for Easter 2000, it reverted back to the original specifications. Wood used in the new cross was from timbers salvaged from the bombed Arndale Centre in Manchester.

Otley's Chevin CrossOtley's Chevin Cross
Otley's Chevin Cross

At least 50 people are needed to pull the cross into place at 9.30am this Saturday (March 12 2016) at Surprise View above Otley (Grid Ref. SE 203442). Helpers should arrive at around 9.15. Around 20 helpers are also needed to load the cross on to a wagon in the Courthouse Street car park, Otley, at 9am.

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