Sorry folks
it's not a standy stone or a menhir, most likely it's part of a chapel that was attached to the Parish church just off the Market Place. Parts of the chapel which dates back to the Anglo-Saxon era and collapsed in the 18th Century can still be seen on the Market Place side of the church
The stones antiquity was only "realised" in the 1850's and the railings which surround it date from that time
Whilst the stone has no provenance as a coronation stone for seven kings it is in my view likely that the centre of Kingston may have been the focus for religious/ceremonial activity going back to Anglo-Saxon times as the area on which the church is centred is in the middle of what was a gravel island in the Thames.
The river channel has long since silted up but is clearly shown on the archaeological records for various developments in the vicinity
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Stanydale "temple" still shut to visitors Went to the Shetlands during the last week of August 01 and the Stanydale "temple" was close to the top of our must see list of sites.
We were told by several people that the crofter whose land the site is on will not allow visitors as he is (understandably) concerned about the spread of foot and mouth to his sheep.
Whilst this may only be a smoke screen once you have visited the islands and you see how the spread of foot and mouth could wipe out the local economy you have to respect the guys wishes
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Mike Lapworth hasn't added a profile
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