Interesting replies regarding the great stone. i knew the pub was old but i didn't know that it was c1500. As for the actual stone itself, i heard, like you said Phil that it was used to tie horses to when having a pint or two but also used to tie escaped livestock to. The farmers always knew were to find their escapees!
Not sure how true this is and i certainly have'nt seen any cows running round church hill for a few years now.
Thanks guys, really enjoying peoples views and memories of the area.
James Taylor