The stone sculpture ‘Pillars Past’ was designed and carved by sculptor Joseph Hayton as part of the ‘Way of the Roses’ public art trail.

Consisting of three two metre figures representing agriculture, mining and Monastic heritage, the sculpture is designed to show visitors something about the uniqueness of the heritage, landscape and the community through which cyclists, walkers and other visitors pass. See extras & try to figure out which is which.

The lead miner
Lead mining dates to Roman times in the dale and had a major impact on the local economy until around the 1890s when lead extraction ceased due to cheap imports. The figure of the lead miner was based on Paul Reinsch who has been helping to restore local mines in Greenhow.

The monk
Fountains Abbey and Bylands Abbey shaped Nidderdale, having major land holdings from 1200 until the dissolution of the monasteries. The Archbishop of York once owned the township of Pateley Bridge. The figure of the monk was based on John Hayton, Joseph’s father.

The sheep farmer
Sheep farming has been crucial to the economy of Nidderdale from medieval times when Fountains Abbey and Bylands Abbey had substantial granges where sheep farming was predominant. Sheep farming still dominates the land today and the shepherd was based on John Rayner, a sheep farmer, whose farm at Gouthwaite was established in the 1200s and is on record for supplying produce to Fountains Abbey.