7 replies to this topic

[chris34wilts]

I went up there a few weeks back ( i only live a few miles away but its always worth a visit especially on a beautiful bright day) and noticed that the powers that be are "improving access" to the site by making a new pathway.
This seems to have involved demolishing the old path that was discreet through the crops and making some huge new (probably paved) monstrosity.
Why cant they leave anything alone??
I really think they are going to ruin this site, part of its mystery was that it was not visable from the road and you had to get very close until you actually saw it.
Next they will be sticking a bloody gift shop up there!

End of rant!

Any thoughts?

Chris

[Arran and Emma]

Well, we were pretty miffed when we found out what was going on, but it appears there is some form of greater plan. As far a we know, this is supposed to be the beginning of making the hill up to the site a nice big grassland. Imagine the gentle green slope making its way up to the barrow, as opposed to an increasinly deep cut being dug out between two fields.

It's better also because the surrounding views are much easier to see and you can place everything in its landscape. Besides, aren't we all fed up with standing on the verge as the hoards of the Ramblers Association trudge past!

[Jimit]

Tend to agree with A & E on this. The rather strange "carpet" which has been laid to the Barrow should allow the grass to regenerate through it whilst protecting the shallow soil from erosion. On a slightly different topic.... This (rather simplistic) description of the whole area mentions carvings of a human face and a sheeps head in the Barrow. Does anyone know where these are or have photos?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A1150381

[Jimit]

Found this which purports to show the alledged "Carvings". Looks very suspicious to me. In different lights the stones show many strange figures but it is like looking for real objects in a flickering log fire or the passing clouds.
I think much of the information about Silbury Hill is now out dated.

http://www.stoneheng...rysites.html#WK

[Arran and Emma]

I think you are referring to the work of Terrence Meaden (look out for his book "The Secrets of the Avebury Stones), who finds the most astonishing things hidden in the stones. I don't quite know how to take it - it's not beyond the realms of reality, but then as you say it's like looking at clouds...

[Nigel]

http://www.stonecent...uk/avebury.html

(Hmmmmmm!)

[ramebius]

chris34wilts, on 14 October 2003, 6:31, said:

I went up there a few weeks back ( i only live a few miles away but its always worth a visit especially on a beautiful bright day) and noticed that the powers that be are "improving access" to the site by making a new pathway.
This seems to have involved demolishing the old path that was discreet through the crops and making some huge new (probably paved) monstrosity.
Why cant they leave anything alone??
I really think they are going to ruin this site, part of its mystery was that it was not visable from the road and you had to get very close until you actually saw it.
Next they will be sticking a bloody gift shop up there!

End of rant!

Any thoughts?

Chris

   you are right, Chris,  but what about a pancake restaurant as well?
Rienk.

[Pete G]

Hi Chris,
Actualy the path is being moved often to stop wear into the same part of the field.
On the plus side a recent visiter found a Saxon Ring next to the new path and sent it to me to hand in to Devizes museum.
http://peteglastonbu...t/BrassRing.jpg
Regards,
PeteG