Ilkley seeks return of historic Roman stone

Residents, historians, archaeologists and a councillor have banded together to issue the call for the relics - including one that dates back to the 3rd century when the town was under Roman occupation - to be brought back where they belong.

A Roman altar stone, believed to be dedicated to Verbeia, the pagan goddess of the River Wharfe, and its 17th century replica, are now in the possession of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Leeds.

The stones were removed from Myddelton Lodge when the Diocese sold the property, redeveloped the original hunting lodge and added new buildings to create a religious youth retreat centre.

"We removed the altar stones for safekeeping and we've got them in safe storage," said David Damant, property administrator for the Diocese.

But now there are calls for the return of the two stones. Ilkley parish councillor Kate Brown said: "They are original Ilkley artefacts and they ought to be returned to Ilkley."

Coun Brown, who drafted a letter to the Diocese about 18 months ago inquiring about stones after some residents brought the issue to her attention, said: "It seemed wrong they were not on view in Ilkley."

Maureen Johnson, secretary of the Olicana Historical Society, said: "They should definitely be in Ilkley. I would like to see them given to the Manor House."

"We'd be happy to receive them into the collection," said Gavin Edwards, Manor House Museum officer of archaeology. "They are quite iconic pieces of Ilkley and are quite important to Ilkley's history."

Mr Edwards said the original stone was an altar erected by a Roman centurion as a dedication to the gods for saving his life.

According to records from the West Yorkshire Archaeological Service, this stone was re-discovered centuries later, around 1600, by a man called Camden under a flight of stairs on a old property on the grounds of Myddelton Lodge.

The records go on to say the stone was removed to Stubham in 1608 and Sir John Middleton had a replica commissioned and erected at the site of the original altar's position.

The altars, which look like stone gate posts, have the following Roman inscription translated as 'sacred to Verbeia: Clodius Fronto, prefect of the Second Cohort of Lingonians'.

The records also say the Roman altar and its replica were removed to a place of safe storage by the Diocese of Leeds in 2000.

Although the Diocese would not disclose the current location of the stones for security reasons, Mr Damant did tell the Gazette of its plans for the historical artefacts.

He said: "It is our intention to re-erect the copy on Myddelton Grange. "What I want to do would be to put it up alongside the public bridleway that runs from Myddelton Grange to Calverley.

"It's desirable so that the public can see it. I'm hoping we're going to do that during the summer of 2005."

As far as the original stone is concerned, Mr Damant said the Diocese would be prepared to resume dialogue with the parish council or local archaeological society to offer the altar on a permanent loan so it could be put on display for the public.

If lent out to the Manor House Museum, transportation costs and a one-off fee for the stone's upkeep would have to be paid, a cost the Diocese, which is a charitable trust, would not be prepared to pay.

Mr Damant said: "We're prepared to continue with the proposal as long as there is no cost associated with it."

He said the altar is very seriously eroded and parts of the inscription are barely legible, and he noted that the replica is not in much better shape than the original stone.

As the two stones are the private property of the Diocese, Helen Gomersall, senior archaeologist for the West Yorkshire Archaeological Service, said: "We hope the owners ensure their survival and prevent their further deterioration. How and where they do that is a matter for the owners."

l If anyone wants to ask the Diocese about the stones, they may write to Mr David Damant, Property Administrator, Diocese of Leeds, Hinsley Hall, 62 Headingley Lane, Leeds, LS6 2BX.