Photograph of meer stone 53 - Grassington Moor

(Click photograph for a larger image)

Location: In the Groove Gill Rigg pasture about 230 m from the NW wall corner and 65 m south of the beck.

Latitude: 54.105141 Longitude: -1.935027

NGR: SE 04346 67699

Inscription: GEO FLETCHER & CO FOUNDER

This is a 40 cm high, beautifully carved founder stone dating from about 1791. George Fletcher had previously been the Duke of Devonshire's local mining agent, and this is one of three of his stones found in this area. See Meer Stone 17 and Meer Stone 52. Meer Stone 41 and Meer Stone 64 are also George Fletcher stones, but on a different lease. This, and Meer Stone 52, are actually in the Hebden Liberty. According to Raistrick, George Fletcher took several meers along the Bycliffe vein in Grassington Moor, and followed the vein eastward into Hebden Moor.