Big Stone not so Big

Here is something I did for Bentham News, which is a local magazine, published monthly and distributed for free in the village/town (Pop. 3000, make up your own mind). The first photo shows the ‘Big Stone’ which is a glacial erratic up on the moor about a mile from Bentham . The fence you can see is the border between Lancashire and North Yorkshire. The second photo I constructed to illustrate an April Fool article, the gist of which was that because of all the rain we had in the winter, the Big Stone was sinking. What was worse it was sinking and sliding into Lancashire. I have reproduced the article below. I am told that at least one person fell for the ruse, hook line and sinker and was rather annoyed that he had been fooled.
 
 

Big Stone – but for how long?
By Anne Preston and Shirley Brown

In 2020 this country experienced the wettest February since records began, and Bentham was no exception. The moorland above Bentham is totally saturated, and you may or may not have noticed changes up at The Bentham Stone which are the result of this. Historically, the other name for The Big Stone is The Great Stone of Fourstones. It is a glacial deposit on the moorlands of Tatham Fells, and has always straddled the county border between North Yorkshire and Lancashire. As the name suggests, there were originally four stones, but now there is only one. The other three were possibly broken up for scythe sharpening or building stone, or maybe sank into boggy moorland
many centuries ago. Large stones, such as The Big Stone, were useful as boundary markers in open countryside, and this one was used as such for the Lancashire / North Yorkshire border between Tatham and Bentham parishes.
Big Stone had 15 steps carved into the side of it to allow access to the top. It is not known when they were carved, but they are well worn through years of use. However, since February, it is apparent that The Stone has sunk considerably into the surrounding countryside. Only 7 steps are now visible, as can be seen on this photo taken on 13th March. This is such a loss. Generations of young people and lovers have carved their initials into The Stone, and many people have found it a place of spiritual nourishment and quiet meditation over hundreds of years. We would urge you to wander up on to the moor to pay your respects to this iconic local landmark in case it disappears forever. As well as sinking, it appears that The Stone is drifting slightly sideways and moving further south, which may eventually necessitate a redrawing of the County boundary if we are to keep it in Yorkshire. County officials have been liaising with Sue Arnott who lives locally and who adjudicates nationally on boundary issues (see the report of her talk to Ewecross Historical Society on page 15) and have called a site meeting for 11.45am on Wednesday 1st April. Members of the public are welcome to attend, although they will not be allowed to speak. Photo by Jon Brook of Bentham Imaging.