Wooden crosses survive Moorland blazes

This remarkable picture is being feted as an emblem of hope in a Saddleworth community threatened by wonton moorland blazes.

Because the three handmade, 10-foot tall wooden crosses which stand on Little Knott Hill overlooking Delph survived two horrendous fires.

Rev John Rosedale, The Saddleworth Team rector who lives in the village, responded to Paul Holland’s picture on social media, saying, “It feels like a Notre Dame moment, destruction all around but the cross of Christ standing out in the gloom.”

Later, explaining the background to the crosses, he said: “The congregation of St Thomas Church have been erecting the crosses for many years, three to represent Jesus and the criminals who hung either side of him. 

The crosses are put up as close to Palm Sunday as possible, often after the morning service on Palm Sunday, and they come down around Ascension and Pentecost depending upon availability of volunteers.

They do have some wear and tear with the weather and the weight of taking them down. Putting up is easier than taking down."

“The village is living through the fires,” he added.

“The words I'm hearing time and again are along the lines of 'these fires are not accidental' 'who is doing this?' 'Is Saddleworth being targeted' a sadly amusing comment has been 'a fools mother is always pregnant'.”

Villager Tom Lambert, son of Alison and Richard Lambert, helps maintain the crosses. His father, a retired librarian, is a past church warden and is to be ordained deacon at the Manchester Cathedral  in June. 

Mr Lambert senior said: “It’s always a special moment when the people of St Thomas's in Delph put the crosses on Knott Hill above the village at Easter time, but this year it's been much more spectacular.

The three crosses to remind us that Jesus was crucified outside the walls of Jerusalem, with a thief on his left and on his right.  

Although the recent moorland fires have been devastating for wildlife, they have certainly made for some dramatic photographs.  

There have been two fires near the crosses this year, but they haven't been damaged themselves.  

This could be seen as a symbol of hope in the face of destruction, just like the undamaged cross in the recent terrible fire in Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris,” he declared. 

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