Browse crosses

 
Location:  Set on the top of Brat Tor

Grid Ref:  539 855          Map location:  Click here to view map.

Purpose:  To commemorate the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria in 1887.

Size:  The cross measures 12 feet 8 inches (3.86 metres) tall and 4 feet 4 inches (1.32 metres) across the arms. The shaft is 2 feet 1 inch (0.64 metres) square.

Information:  The cross is made of 10 layers of roughly cut granite blocks, topped off with a pointed rock. The blocks are of differing sizes, which interlock with each other to make the structure more secure. It was erected at the expense of William Widgery, the well known local artist, and bears the inscription:

'W. Widgery, Fecit, Jubilee, V.R.'

Below and to the west of Brat Tor, the River Lyd meanders its course southwards, before veering off the moor towards the village of Lydford and its picturesque gorge. Immediately below the tor and on the opposite bank of the river is the outcrop of Black Rock, with its handily placed wooden bench. 

Memorial plaque at Black Rock The bench was placed here to commemorate Captain Nigel Hunter MC (and Bar), as shown by the plaque affixed to the rock above, which reads:

 

IN LOVING MEMORY OF
CAPTAIN NIGEL DUNCAN RATCLIFFE HUNTER M.C. (AND BAR)
ROYAL ENGINEERS
WHO WAS KILLED IN ACTION AT BIEFVILLERS,
NEAR BAPAUME ON MARCH 25TH 1918, AGED 23 YEARS.

HE LOVED THE MOORS OF DEVON, AND ON HIS LAST VISIT
TO LYDFORD, HE WROTE THE FOLLOWING LINES:-

"ARE WE NOT LIKE THIS MOORLAND STREAM
SPRINGING NONE KNOWS WHERE FROM,
TINKLING, BUBBLING, FLASHING A GLEAM
BACK AT THE SUN; E'ER LONG
GLOOMY AND DULL, UNDER A CLOUD,
THEN RUSHING ONWARDS AGAIN;
DASHING AT ROCKS WITH ANGER LOUD,
ROARING AND FOAMING IN VAIN!
WANDERING THUS FOR MANY A MILE,
TWISTING AND TURNING AWAY FOR A WHILE.
THEN OF A SUDDEN OVER THE FALL
AND THE DARK STILL POOL IS THE END OF ALL.

IS IT? I THOUGHT, AS I TURNED AWAY,
AND I TURNED AGAIN TO THE SILENT MOOR.
IS IT? I SAID, AND MY HEART SAID "NAY"!
AS I GAZED AT THE CROSS ON "WIDGERY TOR".

Widgery Cross on Brat TorThis is an ideal spot at which to sit a while, in pleasant surroundings, to view the cross from a distance and contemplate the journey ahead.