Chevin Cross returns to Otley to mark the approach of Easter

Organised by Churches Together in Otley the 30ft cross was raised on Otley Chevin, as has happened every year since 1969, apart from a two year hiatus in 2020 and 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The cross is in three separate pieces, one of which is partially clad with metal, and they are transported to the Chevin, from their storage place in the town, on a lorry, which is supplied free of charge by Coopers of Otley.

Volunteers raise the Chevin Cross (Image: PA)

Howard Chaplin oversees the operation and said: “Putting up the cross is easy to organise, we announce it in the local press every year and then people come to help us out.

“We get big groups coming together to make it happen, some people come every year, but there are always new faces too. 

“Many people also go to their windows to watch it happen from their homes. It definitely brings the whole town together.”

Volunteers raise the Chevin Cross (Image: PA)

The cross is put up two weeks before Easter Sunday and taken down again two weeks afterwards.

The current version is made from wood salvaged after the IRA’s Manchester bomb attack on June 15 1996.

“The cross has been going up now for 54 years, it’s in a prime spot, where everyone can see it from the town centre,” Mr Chaplin said.

“The idea came from a local preacher, who was inspired to put the cross up after spending time in Austria in the hills there.

“He made the first cross that was destroyed after a number of years. The current cross is made from wood from a Catholic church that was damaged in the bomb attack.”

Volunteers help raise the Chevin Cross (Image: PA)

He added: “People tell me it’s very moving to see the cross rise slowly. We have a Range Rover pull the cross up, but people have to be on the ground to make sure the cross doesn’t twist.

“Patients can see the cross from the local hospital, and I’ve been told that it gives them an inner strength. I’m very proud of that.”