From Stonehenge to Stroud: Sparrow's Stone Raising Legacy Continues
Some lifting projects carry more history than others, and this particular assignment provided a remarkable connection between Sparrow Crane Hire's past and present.
On 1 May 2026, Sparrow Crane Hire was involved in the raising of the Hurdy Stone, a 3.5 tonne Welsh slate monolith standing approximately 12 feet tall, at Rattle & Brash overlooking the picturesque Slad Valley near Stroud, Gloucestershire.
The installation formed part of the NeoAncients Festival, an event celebrating the connections between ancient traditions, contemporary art, music and folklore.
A Remarkable Connection to Stonehenge
For Sparrow Crane Hire, the project held particular historical significance.
Back in 1960's, Sparrow Crane Hire was involved in restoration work at Stonehenge, with Gordon Sparrow, father of Tim Sparrow, helping to oversee the lifting operations. See details here.
More than six decades later, the company was once again called upon to assist with the raising of a monumental standing stone.
Although the two projects were very different in purpose, both required specialist lifting expertise to carefully manoeuvre and position substantial stone structures.
It was a fitting continuation of the Sparrow family's long association with specialist lifting, stretching back to 1949.
Raising the Hurdy Stone in the Slad Valley
The Hurdy Stone is a striking monolith of Welsh slate, estimated to be around 400 million years old.
The installation was organised by L-13 Light Industrial Workshop, involving artists Jimmy Cauty, Jem Finer and Steve Lowe, as part of the NeoAncients Festival.
The project brought together art, ancient symbolism and modern engineering, with Sparrow providing the crane and lifting expertise needed to raise the stone into its upright position.
As the photographs show, the large stone was carefully secured using specialist lifting equipment before being raised vertically and positioned at its new home.
A Ceremony Under the Scorpio Full Moon
The standing of the Hurdy Stone took place on Beltane, 1 May 2026, coinciding with the Full Moon in Scorpio, traditionally known as the Flower Moon.
The ceremonial installation attracted spectators who gathered to witness the raising of the stone, combining a modern lifting operation with rituals inspired by ancient traditions.
The event also established a symbolic connection with the Gurdy Stone, another standing stone erected in East Sussex in 2023.
Together, the two stones form what the artists describe as the Hurdy Gurdy ley line, a conceptual alignment connecting the two locations.
Adding another unusual dimension to the installation, the Hurdy Stone was designed to incorporate sound. Using an experimental audio system, the artists invited visitors to place their ears against the stone and listen to sounds transmitted through it.
Continuing a Stone Raising Tradition
From helping restore one of Britain's most famous prehistoric monuments to assisting with the creation of a contemporary standing stone, this unusual project highlights the breadth of work undertaken by Sparrow Crane Hire over the generations.
While modern cranes and lifting technology have advanced considerably since the company's early years, the importance of careful planning, experienced operators and precision lifting remains unchanged.
More than 65 years after Stonehenge, Sparrow Crane Hire is still helping to make monumental projects possible.
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