20 May 2009

Ten Commandments Stone, Buckland Beacon

Dartmoor National Park Authority’s Conservation Works Team has begun the final phase of work to re-cut the lettering on the Ten Commandments Stone at Buckland Beacon, Buckland-in-the-Moor.

In 1928, a local landowner, Mr William Whitely, decided to have the Ten Commandments inscribed on two flat ‘tablets’ of stone on Buckland Beacon.  He commissioned a stonemason called WA Clement from Exmouth, who apparently lived in a hut nearby whilst carrying out the work; he worked nine and a half hours a day, cutting 1,547 letters at a total cost of £50.  The work was started on 23 July 1928 and was completed on 31 August that same year. The stones are now well-known landmarks.

In addition to the Ten Commandments, there is a short poem, a quotation from the gospel of St John and a verse from Oh God Our Help in Ages Past.  Two dates are also inscribed: ‘December 15th 1927 – June 14th 1928’.  These are the two dates upon which attempts to adopt a revised Book of Common Prayer were rejected by the House of Commons.

The lettering had become very worn and practically illegible and last year the National Park Authority’s Stone Mason Andy Cribbett and Trainee Stone Mason Ben Martin began the painstaking work of re-cutting the letters on the granite slabs.  The Beacon lies at just over 380 metres above sea level, in an inspiring position overlooking the River Dart valley.

Dartmoor National Park Authority’s Conservation Works Team get involved in a wide range of projects – from working on prehistoric sites to modern community projects – using both traditional materials and modern techniques they have to be able to adapt to working in some challenging situations to help conserve and enhance the natural beauty and cultural heritage of the National Park in both settlements and on the high moor.

Ends

For further information

Debbie Griffiths, Head of Cultural Heritage Service

Tony Halse, Head of Conservation Works Service

Mike Nendick, Communications Officer, Dartmoor National Park Authority

Tel: (01626) 832093

Notes for Editors

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There are 15 members of the National Parks family in the UK: Brecon Beacons, Dartmoor, Exmoor, Lake District, New Forest, Northumberland, North York Moors, Peak District, Pembrokeshire Coast, Snowdonia, South Downs, Yorkshire Dales, Loch Lomond & The Trossachs, the Cairngorms and the Broads.  National Parks are of special value to the whole nation because of their great beauty, their wildlife and cultural interests and the opportunities they offer for quiet enjoyment.  However, they are not nationally owned - the land is in the hands of many landowners or occupiers including farmers.  Over 34,500 people live in Dartmoor National Park and many millions of visits are made to it each year.

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