Ralph's Cross

We passed this Moorland cross on the way back from Newcastle having dropped Thomas off at University.

This cross is used as the symbol of the North York Moors National Park. It is situated at the crossroads between Castleton,Rosedale Abbey,Westerdale and Gillamor. Ralph was a farmer who found a penniless traveller who had died from exhaustion. The tradition is that travellers leave money in the indentation at the top of the cross in case of need.

Today not only were there pennies at the base for those who cannot scale the nine foot cross but also flowers.

It was bitterly cold as I took this photograph so I hope no hapless travellers are around this evening!