Avebury stone 78 problem

Avebury 222

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Pete G Jul 4, 2004 22:09:48

News today reached me that the AARG (Avebury Archaeological Research Group) had spent 3 hours of the latest meeting discussing Mike Pitts' proposal to re-erect stone 78.
He has been given Scheduled Monuments Consent BUT
and this is a big BUT, it now lies in the hands of the National Trust.
There is every chance that the trust will say NO if there are any more letters and emails demanding that the newly found buried stones are to be erected.
The trust will use these demands as ammunition against Mike to say that "Re-erecting a stone will bring in too many visiters that the village & the trust cannot cope with."
Please people, do not start any kind of campaign to re-erect ALL the Avebury stone else we will loose the chance of seeing ONE stone being restored in our lifetime.
Think about it eh?...
PeteG

Littlestone Jul 4, 2004 22:24:36

Replying to Pete G

Bollocks

Grendel Jul 5, 2004 07:22:57

Replying to Pete G

Ignoring the well consdiered two syllable response from the lunatic fringe - Mike Pitts' project is the ony realistic way a stone will be erected at Avebury. If the erection goes well who knows what NT might consider in the future particularly as geophysics seems to be locating more buried megaliths.

What positive encouragement does NT need to nudge them twoards agreeing Mike's project? is there any scope for involvement from other groups to help out?

The project is bound to attract huge media and visitor interest and could/should be used as a vehicle to promote the aims of other groups and campaigns.

On another note Pete - have the County, district and Parish Councils and NT ever discussed a park and ride for Avebury. Would seem ripe for it to me (although I don't know the geography for the 'park' bit).

Don't judge us all by the articulation of one Pete ;-)

andy worthington Jul 11, 2004 14:34:55

Replying to Pete G

Hi all,
Belatedly joining in the stone 78 discussion, just to mention that I agree wholeheartedly with Pete about keeping a clear distinction between what we might wish for (Keiller Revisited) and what we can realistically expect (the reerection of Stone 78 if the Trust and nervous Avebury residents can be persuaded that it won't lead to a massive increase in visitor numbers - which they don't want - or hysterical calls for all the fallen and buried stones to be reerected - which they very definitely don't want).
Appeasement is not the issue. In the end, the Trust will do - or not do - exactly what it wants.
All the best,
Andy

goffik Jul 14, 2004 11:44:26

Replying to Pete G

Just to cheer this thread up - I'm gonna be in Avebury this weekend - who's gonna join me? Be good to see you!

G x