Acomb Little Man

If you like your standing stones affable and amiable, you've come to the right place. Dissimilar to Duddo Five Stones, like big flappy elephant ears or Long Meg and her Daughters, a great hulking matriarchal monolith, this is a little smiley stone peeping out from under the Green Alkanet and nettles.

Have a look, and like me, I'm sure you're going to love him. He's the Acomb Little Man.

Have a look at his sharp chin, day dreamy, lentoid eyes and wry little smile. What d'you think he's thinking? Whatever it is, it's set in stone! Sandstone to be precise and this isn't some twee garden folly from Dobbies but is believed to be of Romano-British origin. That means his happy little face has been a feature in my county since the 2nd or 3rd century. As my dad would say, “he's as old as his tongue, but a little bit older than his teeth”.

Unbelievably, the stone was located just west of Acomb, where the North and South Tyne converge at Waters Meet, just off Howford Lane.

It's a beautiful place and we've spent many days there over the years with our little people plodging in the water without any knowledge that this little guy lived here too.

It's apparently very rare and thought to be only one of its kind. He's right handed by all accounts and either he's getting ready to carve up the Sunday roast or he's holding some sort of club to ward off people who call him cute!

It was found by Commander Hugh Oswald in 1970 when the river rose and dislodged the Acomb Little Man from its banks, just where the Waters Meet. This place has always felt significant, where the rivers North and South Tyne high-five, but this rare and remarkable find bumps it up my list of lovely places!

Oswald lived at Acomb House, a grand and stately house in the village, and the stone was taken to live with this family, occupying a corner for thirty years. After that time, a new family moved in, the Phellews, but after some time, they moved to Canada, then the little guy was entrusted to Acomb Parish Council, and went off for a several year sleepover in a local man's barn, where he was kept safe. Maybe this is why he looks so fresh faced!

John Hutchinson was a local market gardener and had become the entrusted guardian of the Acomb Little Man during this time.

Local historian and rock art expert Stan Beckinsall fortuitously lived in Hexham and cast his expert eye over the Little Man. Stan believed the piece to be rather special and teamed up with experts at The Museum of Antiquities and folk from the forts at Vindolanda and Arbeia who confirmed Stan's suspicions that the small stone was indeed likely to have been made during the Roman occupation in Northumberland.

Stan believed the carving to be Hercules and identified the club he is holding over his chest in one hand.

How lucky to have someone like Stan just a stone's throw away, with a stout knowledge of such stuff!

And he suits his name, The Acomb Little Man. At only 2ft 10 inches long and 16 inches wide, the 14 inch thick stone has been expertly carved into to create his cheery little chops. He can still be seen so clearly.

The Village Green was given a makeover, and John kindly gave new life to the Acomb ittle Man, by agreeing to have him placed in pride of place over the way from his house to share with all to see. He was cemented into the ground and now lives just off the bridle path.

Whatever it is, and whoever he may be, he can smile at me any day. I think he's adorable and so nice for the people of Acomb to continue to be his guardians...or is he theirs?