SOUTH SOMERSET NEWS: Historic Market Cross is toppled in crash

SOUTH SOMERSET NEWS: Historic Market Cross is toppled in crash

THE historic Market Cross in Ilchester has been destroyed after a vehicle smashed into it during the night.

People have been left dismayed at the incident as they saw the scene of devastation on Friday (August 4, 2017) morning.

The column was built in 1795 on the town green and is a Grade II listed structure and registered with English Heritage.

The top portion of the column was blown over in a storm in January 1991 and was rebuilt the following year.

Somerset County Council’s historic environment record describes the Market Cross as: “Ham stone. Circular base with two chamfered offsets, set on circular step; square stepped plinth carrying simple Doric column with entablature moulding over, then square-plan block with sundials having sheet metal gnomons, and a ball finial with wrought-iron wind vane.”

The wind vane has been taken away from the scene for safe keeping, while talks will soon commence on what to do with rebuilding the market cross.

Police tape is around the base of the remains.

More details are awaited from the police.

UPDATE - 1pm (Friday, August 4, 2017): POLICE have arrested a 28-year-old man on suspicion of drink-driving following the crash at Ilchester which left the historic Market Cross in ruins.

It was at around 1.40am on Friday (August 4, 2017) when police were alerted to the incident in the centre of Ilchester.

“We’ve arrested a 28-year-old man on suspicion of drink-driving after a car collided with a monument on the High Street in Ilchester at about 1.40am,” said a police spokesman.

“Significant damage was caused to the monument and the man remains in police custody while enquiries continue.”

Anyone with information which could help the police in their investigation is asked to call 101.

The Market Cross was originally built in 1795 on the town green and is a Grade II listed structure and registered with English Heritage.

The top portion of the column was blown over in a storm in January 1991 and was rebuilt the following year.

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PHOTOS - ABOVE: The Market Cross following the crash.

SOUTH SOMERSET NEWS: Historic Market Cross is toppled in crash

PHOTO - ABOVE: The Market Cross in the centre of Ilchester when it was standing.

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