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Historic stone journey is
recreated in Fordwich

When Canterbury Cathedral was built
by the Normans in the late 11th century, they use Caen stone from
northern France.

Now the same stone is being used
again by masons who are restoring the magnificent building.

It is usually delivered by truck
but on Saturday it arrived using the same method it would have done
centuries ago - by boat to Fordwich and then on a horse and cart
into the city.

The re-enactment of the traditional
transport drew big crowds to Fordwich - which is the ancient port
of Canterbury.

Around 750kg of the stone was
ferried up the Stour from Sandwich by the Sandwich Harbour Master,
Capt Colin Carr on his 100-year-old Dutch barge which he has
restored and will be the new Sandwich river bus.

It is thought to have been the
largest craft to arrive at Fordwich since 1870.

Waiting for it was the Mayor of
Fordwich June Hardcastle, the Mayor of Sandwich and speaker of the
Cinque Ports Dr Terence Clifford-Amos, the Lord and Lady Mayoress
of Canterbury Pat and Barbara Todd and the Bishop of Dover the
Right Rev Trevor Willmott who blessed the stone on the
quayside.

The celebration also included a dancing group of
medieval minstrels and a guard in armour.

Speaking after the event, the Mayor
of Fordwich June Hardcastle said the idea to land the stone in the
town had originally come four years ago from local historians who
had researched the history of the Caen connection.

She said: "We had intended to make
it a much bigger event and get lottery funding to restore our crane
but I suffered a stroke and it went on the backburner.

"However, it was a really
interesting and symbolic celebration of the landing of the Caen
stone, two blocks of which had been donated by the quarry.

"We hope it raises the profile of
the wonderful restoration work going on at the Cathedral as well as
the part that Fordwich once played as the city’s ancient port.

"I have to thank the small team who
made it possible including Roger Green, our town clerk Geoffrey
Castle and town councillor Philip Lewis.

"It was also a delight to have the
Bishop of Dover in Fordwich to bless the stone."

After the landing, the stone was
later taken to Canterbury Cathedral by horse and cart where there
was a short service conducted by the Dean of Canterbury.