La Gran’mère du Chimquière

My mother and I are staying in the south-eastern corner of Guernsey, near to the parish church of St. Martin. Just outside the church stands Guernsey's most famous ancient monument.

This statue-menhir is thought to be at least 4,000 years old and once stood much nearer the church. In 1860, the church warden ordered La Gran'mere to be destroyed because he considered the regard paid to the stone was tantamount to idolatry. The statue was broken in two but the parishioners protested so vigorously that she was cemented back together and placed in her current position.