THE historic Maythorne Cross has a new home.
The monument, part of which could be about 1,000 years old, was allegedly stolen from the hamlet above Hepworth in the 19th century.
Now, at the end of a long-running dispute, it has been decided that the relic's ancient base will be housed at Maythorne while its more modern shaft is given to the Holme Valley Civic Society.
"We are very, very pleased," said Allen Pestell, chairman of Dunford Parish Council.
He said it had taken 100 years to resolve the issue.
The base will form part of a new structure in Lower Whitley Lane.
"It has given us the opportunity to design a shaft more in keeping with the Maythorne Cross," said Mr Pestell.
The cross was probably a boundary marker and was mentioned as far back as the reign of Henry V, who died in 1422.
The original stone base stood in Maythorne from the 15th century until the mid-19th century.
It is said to have been stolen by Dr Henry Morehouse, a local historian and collector, who added a column and ball and put it up in Stoney Bank Lane, New Mill.
In 1984, Holme Valley Civic Society had the object repaired and put outside the former library in the village centre.
But in June, 2000, Gerald Parker - whose in-laws, the Ibbotsons, once owned the cross - took it back to Maythorne on a forklift truck.
Maythorne stone will be used to make a new monument in the shape of a cross rather than the column and ball.
It will be erected in a paved area enclosed by a dry-stone wall, with seats and a plaque giving its history.
There will also be a war memorial to local servicemen killed in both world wars.
A celebration is to be held in New Mill on May 1, when the cross is finally restored.
