The stone cross on the east end gable of St Mary’s church fell to the ground during the gales just before Christmas 2013. It is being replaced by one newly sculptured by local stonemasons Elliott Brotherton, based at Broad Oak, near Rye. The picture of the cross lying on scaffold boards high up outside the east window shows the detailed artistry of the work undertaken by this firm, although these days of course it was not carved by hand. The design had to be derived from photographs of the former cross, because when it fell it shattered into many pieces and was impossible to re-assemble. “It was so badly eroded, it was a wonder it hadn’t fallen before”, said John Gurney, church surveyor to St Mary’s.
The scaffolding will remain in place for a short while until contractors have installed a new lightning conductor at the east end gable to replace one that was badly corroded. Because of the building’s height and exposed position, this is one of several lightening conductors on the structure, others being on the tower, the weather vane and the flagpole.
photo: Kenneth Bird
Elliott Brotherton of eB sculpture Ltd created this stone cross and certainly did carve it by hand. The majority of eB sculpture’s work is done by hand, using traditional techniques. Elliott is based at Old Broad Oak Farm Business Centre on Udimore road in Broad Oak. Please feel free to pop by to see him using hammer and chisel to carve stone. He undertakes all types of stonework from restoration to lettercutting, headstones and fireplaces.
Having some of Elliott’s stonework in my home and also at my local church I can assure others that he carves by hand and creates wonderful pieces, long may he continue to create masterpieces.
Think Mr Bird owes Elliott an apology. As I can also vouch that it was made by hand. I saw the project from a drawing through to finished article.
Like many others I have always highly regarded Elliott as being one of the finest stone masons in the area. His high standard of workmanship has gained him an elite clientele.