Words by Tristan Ovington.

Salisbury’s iconic Poultry Cross is currently undergoing repairs following the damage caused by motorist Luke Gamblin crashing into it on May, 21st 2022. The Grade 1 listed monument on Minster Street is being repaired by Salisbury Cathedral’s Works Department.
Salisbury Cathedral clerk, Gary Price, told the Gazette what was being done and how it feels to keep history alive.

Before and after photos showing the restortion work in progress
Credit: Salisbury Cathedral

“One of the buttresses was damaged by the car,” explained Gary. “We need to remove the loose stones and replace them. However, because the scaffold was up, which requires special design before we erect it, we decided to do some of the cleaning work to top half of the stone work. The scaffold is due to come down on March 27 and it will go up again in 6-12 months to do the remainder of the cleaning.
“We inspect the Poultry Cross every five years to see if it needs minor repointing, cleaning and repairs. The repairs are funded by the City Council.”

Before and after photos showing the restortion work in progress
Credit: Salisbury Cathedral

For those interested in becoming stone masons, working at Salisbury Cathedral is the crème de la crème of stone masonry roles. But you will have to put your time in first, as it takes two years of college study and two years at Gloucester University to acquire the necessary qualifications.
Many of the team of nine stonemasons working for Salisbury Cathedral have at least 20 years of experience and work on local churches and stately homes, as well as the cathedral.
And how does it feel keeping history alive? “It’s a big honour to work on the Poultry Cross,” replies Gary. “It’s nice to do something different and conserve the cross.”
The Poultry Cross, constructed in the 14th century, is the only remaining cross (others were the Cheese Cross in the present Cheese Market area, Barnard’s Cross (livestock) at the junction of Barnard Street and Culver Street and another which designated a market for wool and yarn at the east end of the present Market Place near the War Memorial) where business was conducted.
This makes the Poultry Cross an important part of Salisbury’s rich history that continues to attract tourists to the city.