A BOUNDARY stone has been returned to what was thought to have been its original site, marking the boundary between Sourton and Bridestowe at a formal ceremony recently.

The tapering granite stone which has an 'S' chiselled on one face and a 'B' on the other, is now facing in the right direction, marking the boundary between the two parishes on the old A30 near Pool Cross.

The stone, about five feet in length, one and a half in width and nine inches in depth, was found on Barry Timms' Luddon Farm, verging the A3079 road.

A hole was dug and the stone lowered into place last month, with a number of Bridestowe and Sourton parish councillors there to witness the event.

A week later on Thursday, March 25, a brief ceremony was held to welcome the return of the wayward stone, which was attended by Sourton councillors chairman John Hockridge, Geraldine Jury, James McInnes, Geoffrey Gill and clerk Michael Taylor.

Bridestowe parish councillors chairman John Leonard, Alison Young and Rex Haythornthwaite were also in attendance.

Mr Hockridge spoke on how the stone had been found and suggested it could have been moved for safety when the old A30 was widened, probably more than 30 years ago.

Mr Leonard expressed his pleasure that the stone had finally 'come home'.

Mr Taylor said he had been advised by Dartmoor National Park Authority's archaeologist Debbie Griffiths that the majority of boundary stones on Dartmoor had the inscribed letter facing the parish — the S towards Sourton and the B towards Bridestowe.

The stone had initially been set the opposite way, so a vote was taken and it was agreed to follow Mrs Griffiths' advice.

Mr Taylor said the next morning, the stone made 'one last journey' as it was lifted out of the ground and lowered back into its new and, hopefully, final position, facing in the correct direction.

Mr Taylor said: 'The stone certainly looked good in its setting and will be cherished by the parishioners of Sourton and Bridestowe for years to come.'

A small grant has been obtained from Dartmoor NPA to finance the return of the stone.