Boundary Stones
Holymoorside & Walton Parish Boundary Stones
Around the perimeter of the Holymoorside and Walton parish boundary are eight stones positioned to approximately correspond with the eight compass points. A central stone is also included at the centre of the parish. This page includes a list of the stones, each with a picture, its inscription, and where they can be discovered.
Marking the millennium with boundary stones for the parish was the idea of Derbyshire resident James Martin, who worked with the parish council and a team of others to fully realise the project, creating a lasting and meaningful celebration of the parish. Tony Robinson was also involved in the event, revealing that a close friend had been to primary school in the village.
When the first two words of each of the inscriptions are read all together, a short poem is revealed. Is there anything else that you notice about the engravings?
All photographs on this page are my own, unless otherwise indicated.
Northern Boundary Stone
Located by a bridge over a stream on a bridleway between Piper Lane and Old Brampton. The stone appears very weathered and seems to have been a reclaimed stone, perhaps an old gatepost.
Its inscription is "HIGH OVER NORTH 2000AD"
North Eastern Boundary Stone
This stone is hard to miss if walking from Holymoorside to Somersall. It is sited by a footbridge over a small brook in a field just west of Somersall Hall.
Its inscription is "LOW YEARS NORTH EAST 2000AD"
Eastern Boundary Stone
Hiding away in a hedgerow by St John's Church in Walton, this one is easy to overlook as it is located on the former section of Walton Back Lane which is now a cul-de-sac.
Its inscription is "MILLENIUM OVER EAST 2000AD"
South Eastern Boundary Stone
In the hamlet of Slate Pit Dale stands this boundary stone. It is just below the A632 and can be viewed from the lane called "Slate Pit Dale" which runs through the hamlet.
Its inscription is "OUR RECORD SOUTH EAST 2000AD"
Southern Boundary Stone
This one is rather awkwardly placed right by the side of the B5057 at Stonedge and I would advise against visiting it due to the lack of any pavements nearby.
Its inscription is "STANDS IN SOUTH 2000AD"
South Western Boundary Stone
The boundary stone is just off Harewood Road in a wooded area to the north east of Harewood Grange. This is one of the older stones used in the project, clearly showing its age on the photograph.
Its inscription is "DERBYSHIRE ENGRAVED SOUTH WEST 2000AD"
Western Boundary Stone
Perhaps the most visible boundary stone, this is situated opposite the junction of Syda Lane with Longside Road. It stands at the entrance to a field which the bridleway to Harewood Grange crosses.
Its inscription is "WITHIN ALL WEST 2000AD"
North Western Boundary Stone
The North Western Boundary Stone stands at the side of a large layby on the eastbound A619. Nearby is a great view over towards Chesterfield.
Its inscription is "LAND THESE NORTHWEST 2000 AD"
Central Stone
Roughly at the centre of the Holymoorside and Walton Parish is the Central Boundary Stone, in Holymoorside Village Hall's car park.
Its inscription is "OBELISK NOTE 2000 AD". There is also a heart engraved below the inscription, likely referencing its location as the heart of the parish.
Interestingly, the word "NOTE" is engraved further into the stone than the rest of the text, suggesting it was either engraved incorrectly initially, or was inscribed with a word which was then changed during the engraving process, for whatever reason.