Concern over worsening tilt of Cross of Peace

A large wooden cross in a field with cattle grazing around it. The cross is tilting backwards. Owen Sennitt

Onlookers have expressed concern that the cross's tilt is getting worse

By Owen Sennitt
Local Democracy Reporting Service

A large cross erected in part of a ruined monastery more than 30 years ago has become a cause for concern because of its tilt, an onlooker has said.

The Cross of Peace at St Benet's Abbey, near Ludham on the Norfolk Broads, was created from wood from the royal estate at Sandringham and donated by Queen Elizabeth II in 1987.

The 20ft (6m) cross is set in a concrete base, which is still stable, but the tilt appears to be from the point where it sits in the concrete.

One regular visitor said: "It is quite striking how much it is tilting now. In previous years, I hadn't really noticed."

They added: "I hope there is a way it can be saved before it leans too far and becomes unsafe."

Two cows sit on the grass in a field in the foreground and in the distance is a large wooden cross. Owen Sennitt

The cross was donated by Queen Elizabeth II in 1987

The cross was erected on what was the monastery's altar but is now open marshland.

Over the years, hundreds of coins have been pushed into grooves in the wood.

The Diocese of Norwich, which previously owned the St Benet's Abbey site, said it had no remaining responsibilities for the land.

The Norfolk Archaeological Trust manages the site, but states it has no responsibility for the Cross of Peace.

The ruins of a monastery in a large field. There is a stone gateway with partially collapsed walls. Behind it is a large round red-brick building. Owen Sennitt

St Benet's Abbey's ruins have also attracted vandals in recent years

St Benet's Abbey was founded in 1019 when Canute, King of Denmark, Norway, Sweden and England, gave the land to a community of monks.

Today, parts of the gatehouse remain in relatively good condition, but the wider monastery has fallen into ruin.

The Norfolk Archaeological Trust said the monastery was irreparably damaged by graffiti etched into the gatehouse's limestone in 2021.

Each summer an open-air Church of England service is held at the Cross of the Peace, with the Bishop of Norwich arriving at the location aboard a traditional type of boat known as a wherry.

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This article was written by a trusted journalist and then edited for length and style with the help of AI, before being checked again by a BBC Journalist. It's part of a pilot.