Nattes drawing of South Ormsby church (c.1790) shows the cross with no other gravestones around – there are many now and the cross has probably been moved out to the graveyard perimeter. (c) Lincolnshire Archives
Parish/DistrictSouth Ormsby with Ketsby / East Lindsey
Locationin churchyard of St. Leonard’s, c. 25m north of nave
CategoryChurchyard cross
National Grid RefTF 36945 75184
DesignationListed II
Stone TypeLimestone
RefsAP Survey 7 Nov 1994; Davies, D S, 1915, Lincs N & Q, Vol XIII No.6, p.214
VisitsAP: 7 Nov 1994 | DS/HH: 21 May 2010

A socket stone with a portion of shaft survives in the churchyard of St Leonard’s at South Ormsby. Its position is most odd as it is at the extreme edge of the churchyard trapped between two fences – the iron railings of the churchyard, and a later post and rail fence for the field. Arguably, it is on the correct side of the church, for the main door/porch is on this north side, but it is unusually distant from the church. There is a drawing of the church by J C Nattes from c.1790 – this shows only the cross, no gravestones, and it looks to be far nearer the church, although it is difficult to be sure. It seems likely that the cross has been moved out towards the churchyard perimeter to permit new (perhaps high status) 19th century graves to be introduced.

The list description (from 1987) states it is south of nave – I estimate the cross to be c. 25m NORTH of the nave. It was already in this location when recorded by Davies in 1915.

The socket stone is 0.92m N-S by 0.95m E-W and is about 0.45m high. It has heavy broach stops at the corners to form an octagonal top.

The shaft is central, 0.28m N-S by 0.32m E-W and stands 0.97m high. It is very damaged with a large part of its southern half having broken off. The top is cut flat, with three holes – two of them plugged with lead.

South Ormsby cross incongruously caught between two fences – note the damage to the shaft
Detail of socket stone at South Ormsby – with heavy broach stops at the corners
South Ormsby

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