THIS WEEKEND will see the Chevin Cross raised above Otley for the fiftieth time.

The 36ft high monument, first installed on Otley Chevin in 1968, will be pulled into place at 9.30am on Saturday, March 17.

To mark the anniversary Otley Churches Together have produced a commemorative booklet, The Chevin Cross - Otley, 1968-2018.

Written by John Burland, Howard Chaplin and Ron Sweeney, the publication is full of facts, memories, poems and photographs.

Priced at £5, it will go on sale at Otley Buttercross this Saturday, when free hot cross buns will be available.

As always a mini-army of volunteers* will be involved in hoisting the cross into position this weekend.

Recalling its origins, the booklet says: "Since its inception in 1968 the Chevin Cross has had a profound impact reaching far beyond the seven churches of the Otley Council of Christian Churches (OCCC), who were involved in its creation and erection.

"Its influence has reached out into the world beyond Wharfedale to give hope and peace to many people."

A special gathering will be held at Otley Methodist Church on Good Friday, March 30, to also mark the anniversary.

Running from 12.30pm to 1.15pm, it will be followed by a walk or drive to Surprise View for a short service, at 2pm, by the cross.

An Easter Sunday sunrise service will be held there, too, from 7am on April 1.

The idea for a Chevin Cross came from local Methodist Lay Preacher and funeral director Donald Good, who was inspired by seeing hillside crosses in Austria.

A permanent cross was considered but rejected on the grounds it would lose impact, so the OCCC instead agreed to have it raised each Easter.

Although its beginnings were rocky - a gale blew the first cross over, and it has been attacked by vandals - it has gone on to become a much-loved part of the local landscape.

Former Vicar of Otley and Chair of the OCCC, Canon John Clayton, preached the first Easter Sunday sermon by the cross which was attended by more than 200 people.

That tradition has continued over the ensuing half century.

Current Otley Methodist Church Minister Reverend Lesley Taylor said: "It’s very special to share the early morning of Easter Day with Christians from across the area and from many different denominations.

"My most abiding memory so far has to be Easter, 2016.

"As we sang the wonderful hymn Thine Be the Glory, Risen Conquering Son, the sun rose overhead and the dark became light.

"What a wonderful illustration of Easter and the power of the risen Jesus to bring light into the dark."

The booklet is also full of memories from residents and former residents.

Michael Swithenbank, the only surviving member of the trio who built the original cross, has a very vivid recollection of Easter, 1970.

He said: "I asked my wife to marry me standing in front of the cross, looking down on the lights of Otley."

Margaret Thompson said: "I have always admired the Otley Cross.

"To me it is a symbol of love and peace and sacrifice."

Connie Speak said: "I love to see the cross on the Chevin from my bedroom window on St David’s Road.

"I cannot get to church now, but feel I am taking part in the Easter celebrations when I see the cross."

*Anyone who can help is asked to meet at Surprise View by 9.30am. Volunteers are also needed at Courthouse Street, Otley at 9am to help load the cross.

The commemorative booklet will be available in Otley's churches over the Easter period.