THE FIFTH MEGALITHOMANIA CONFERENCE MAY 8th - 9th 2010, GLASTONBURY
A lot has been happening in the world of megaliths since the sad passing of John Michell and last years conference. From discoveries of megaliths and unusual earthworks in Ukraine and the news that the 'Garden of Eden' has been unearthed in the middle-east, the last conference helped unlock some remarkable secrets of the ancient world... continues...
The second annual 'Megalithomania conference' is taking place at the Assembly Rooms, Glastonbury on 19th and 20th May. Speakers include Robert Temple, Keith Critchlow, John Michell, Ronald Hutton, Cheryl Straffon, Anthony Murphy & many others. There are also field trips to Stonehenge on the Friday & around the sites of Glastonbury on the Monday.
This morn after having heard Cathedral Service very well and decently performd at Wells, we proceeded to Glastonbury. Saw Tor hill, a very remarkable Point of view all over the Countrey, being a hill detachd from everything else, on the Top of which stands a tower which was the steeple of a church dedicated to St Michael, which is now totally demolishd and nothing but the shell of the Tower left standing. About the sides of this hill searchd for Lathyrus luteus, but without success - fancy it is hardly yet come into flower. From hence proceed to bloody well, a Spring so Calld from the reddish rust colour with which it tinges the stones over which it Passes. It has a very mineral appearance, but very little taste. The people here hold it in great Repute for astma, scurvy and Dropsy telling of several cures it has and continues to make every day. Not far from this on the other side of town, is the hill on which the Glastonbury thorn is said to have grown, but it has been dead several years, so long that we have not met with anybody who remembers it.
I imagine the bloody well is the Chalice Well though I certainly wouldn't say the water tasted of nothing. This is from "Journal of an Excursion to Eastbury and Bristol, etc., in May and June, 1767" by Sir Joseph Banks, published in the Proceedings of the Bristol Naturalists' Society v9 (1898).
Elsewhere I see it is called the 'Blood Spring' which was perhaps less damaging to delicate ears.
The A361 into Glastonbury (from the Pilton direction) is closed from 26th September 2011 for three weeks. The section of road affected is from Millfield School to the first roundabout after the Chalice Well Garden. Diversions are in place though the Tor can be accessed via the Wick road and a bridleway known as Gypsy Lane - very limited parking at the start of the bridleway.
Two thousand trees are going to be planted on the bottom slopes of Glastonbury Tor, in a hark back to the area's traditional roots.
On Saturday, 20 November, volunteers and staff at the National Trust will begin the three-week project in one of the southern fields.
Organisers hope the mass-planting will "be an eye-catching reminder of yesteryear".
The new hedges will follow the "remnant lines of ancient field systems", helping the Tor to resemble its former look two centuries ago.
Then, there was a tradition of many small fields in the ownership of local people in Glastonbury.
The share cropping system allowed rural dwellers to supplement their income from the land.
It is also helped that the trees will have a positive impact on local wildlife, while helping the natural environment.
The trees will not only create food and shelter for birds and insects, but each year the hedges will grow by capturing carbon from the atmosphere.
There are plans to create four small paddocks with the new hedgerows, which will help the National Trust to set up a sustainable grazing regime using sheep.
"This is an exciting project," said Rob Holden from the National Trust.
"[It] will not only help to capture the traditions of this legendary site but will provide valuable habitat for wildlife and have a long term benefit for the wider natural environment.
"We're really looking forward to the first day and working with so many dedicated volunteers."
Local volunteer group, the Glastonbury Conservation Society is also supporting the project.
The society has been so active in restoring hedgerows around the area that supporters are now nearing their 50,000th tree.