Avebury area: Electricity cables finally removed


Overton Hill barrows (the overhead electric cables have now gone).
Image credit Moss

"The gateway to the Avebury World Heritage Site has been transformed after work to bury unsightly electricity cables was completed..."

"The project, which started over three years ago, was made possible by a partnership involving Wiltshire Council, the National Trust, North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding National Beauty, English Heritage and local farmers. Funding for the work was provided by Scottish and Southern Electricity..."

"The new cables have been buried underneath the major monuments at Overton Hills Seven Barrows Bronze Age barrow cemetery and beneath the Neolithic West Kennet Avenue which originally linked Avebury Stone Circle to the Sanctuary.

"Scottish and Southern Electricity employed archaeologists to examine all the entry and exit points for the moleing machinery to check for any archaeological remains.

"Their work has been monitored by Dr Nick Snashall, National Trust archaeologist who said: “A major eyesore has been eliminated from the World Heritage Site with the removal or these power cables, bringing the landscape closer to its ancient appearance. We’ve also been able to record all the archaeology found during the works, which adds to our story of the development of Avebury.”"

More here -

Richard Jefferies (1848-1887)

Richard Jefferies was a novelist, naturalist and a mystic; he grew up in a house (now the Richard Jefferies Museum) close to Coate Water on the outskirts of Swindon. In his book, Wildlife in a Southern County, published in 1879, Jefferies writes of the Ridgeway -

A broad green track runs for many a long, long mile across the downs, now following the ridges, now winding past at the foot of a grassy slope, then stretching away through a cornfield and fallow. It is distinct from the wagon-tracks which cross it here and there, for these are local only, and, if traced up, land the wayfarer presently in a maze of fields, or end abruptly in the rickyard of a lone farmhouse. It is distinct from the hard roads of modern construction which also at wide intervals cross its course, dusty and glaringly white in the sunshine... With varying width, from twenty to fifty yards, it runs like a green ribbon... a width that allows a flock of sheep to travel easily side by side.

Richard Jefferies (1848-1887)

Ridgeway: Barriers keep crime at bay


Section of the Ridgeway near Wayland's Smithy
Image credit Moss

"BARRIERS installed along Britain’s oldest road have helped cut poaching and hare-coursing, according to police.

"Oxfordshire County Council installed the temporary barriers between Hill Road, Lewknor and Hill Road, Watlington, on the Ridegway National Trail. And they have already seen results with a drop in crime. The blocks were fitted in April to stop poachers, harecoursers and deer stalkers in cars accessing the track, known as the Icknield Way, and to stop thieves driving to isolated farm buildings.

"The pre-historic Ridgeway track runs from Avebury, Wiltshire, to Ivinghoe near Dunstable, across South Oxfordshire."

More here -

Avebury: World Megameet. Saturday, 21 August 2010

"It’s that time of the year again when we look forward to sun and summer, and our annual (this year being our fifth) picnic at Avebury. As the weather has not been too good for the last two years the picnic on the grass has normally ended up in the Red Lion, with people scattered amongst its many rooms. Fingers crossed for fine weather this year but, if not, the Red Lion in Avebury will again be our venue. Otherwise, the picnic will take place by the recumbent stone in the south-east quadrant of the Avebury Henge from noon onwards on Saturday, 21 August 2010."

"All are welcome. Bring your own food and drink, or eat at one of several pubs around Avebury."

More here -
http://heritageaction.wordpress.com/2010/08/16/avebury-world-megameet-saturday-21-august-2010-2/

Visit to excavations at Marden Henge

An outing to the excavations at Marden Henge (9 km from Devizes) will take place on Thursday, 29 July 2010.

Venue:
13:00 - Optional lunch at The Triple Crown.
13:45 - Meet up for visit in Car Park.
14:00 - On site.

Visit will last approximately one and a half hours. Booking is essential as numbers are limited to 25.

More here -
http://www.wiltshireheritage.org.uk/events/index.php?Action=2&thID=542&prev=1

Bus to link Stonehenge and Avebury


The Wiltshire Heritage Museum is conducting a survey for a pilot, "...community bus service that will link Stonehenge, Devizes and Avebury." Results from the survey will help them plan the service.

More here -
http://www.wiltshireheritage.org.uk/news/?Action=8&id=105&home=1

And here -
http://www.thisiswiltshire.co.uk/news/8248608.New_bus_from_Devizes_to_follow_the_stones/

Avebury events

Avebury: A Journey of Discovery

National Trust experts will, "…lead you on a half-day journey of discovery through this very special landscape."

Meet outside the Barn Gallery on Tuesday, 20 July and Thursday, 22 July 2010 at 10:00.


Meet the Experts at Avebury

Participate in an introductory tour, organised by the National Trust, of the Avebury stone circle and handle finds with archaeologist Nick Snashnall and Alexander Keiller Museum curator Ros Cleal on Sunday, 25 July and Sunday, 1 August 2010.

Meet outside the Barn Gallery at 13:00 on the 25 July and at 15:00 on the 1 August.
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)