Re: what ever has happened to avebury? | Forum

Avebury 222

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what ever has happened to avebury?

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tuesday Jul 23, 2005 13:00:43

Replying to tuesday

i hit 'post before i had finished!

i was going to say - those things aren't improvements in my book - they just make somewhere more 'convenient' - like carparks, sign boards, offical interpretations etc. - Haven't you noticed how often people arrive somewhere and read the sign board (or take a picture) before actually looking at the thing itself (including art) - I do it myself all the time.

Everything being neatly accessible and easy when you arrive doesn't appeal in the same way that being able to get mobile phone reception everywhere on these islands doesn't appeal.

Even remote Callanish is suffering the same fate - it's very odd to see those massive dark windowed coaches creeping down bendy lanes on Lewis, heading straight for the visitor's centre and cafe then moving on twenty minutes later (and your phone works).

But, with regard to Avebury, it is perhaps easy to be snobbish - and it is a village after all, but what is wrong with places being made MORE difficult to get to, less literally informative, more purely experientially based - like the greek monasteries for instance? I challenge the assumption that convenience is best

Also, doesn't making somewhere a 'world heritage centre' freeze its develpoment in a particular and official direction?
I am actualy pleased, that the pagans, cross dressers, diviners, drummers are there if it means that officialdom is held at bay - it's just that I wouldn't particularly want to be around when it's so busy - or buy trinkets and stone burgers - even if they are vegetarian.......

Rhiannon Jul 23, 2005 13:21:11

Replying to tuesday

The trouble is (as perhaps people'd agree) if some sites don't 'suffer' by being easily accessible plus tourist friendly, then it'll only be us weirdos who visit them, and then lesser sites will suffer because no one in wider society cares. Whatever you think about time team, they've certainly raised interest in archaeology amongst The General Public.
Avebury's not that 'spoilt' is it, really. Especially if you avoid bank holidays. The visitor facilities (cafe, gift shop, huge barn full of info etc) are really rather low key. Even STonehenge as it is now is a peacefullish place after the tourists have gone home, and ok there's a huge car park but the place doesn't look like Land's End (a horror if you ask me).

I actually find something like the skylights in west kennet longbarrow much more offensive because they're there all the time. I know everywhere's been messed with, reused, reinterpreted. In a way that's really interesting because it's the work of people with their human needs and ideas, and we mustn't forget people built the place in the first place.

As someone living in a WH site I appreciate the point about getting 'stuck' with one interpretation and opinion about what's important. Though at the end of the day it doesn't stop Them doing whatever they like anyway (knocking historic buildings down for example) and for another example just look at the Silbury debacle.

waffling

follow that cow Jul 23, 2005 13:21:19

Replying to tuesday

I think that there are still plenty of 'hidden' places.
The trick is, when you find them, you musn't tell anyone. But then, where's the fun in that!

ftc

Littlestone Jul 23, 2005 13:58:35

Replying to tuesday

I see your point tuesday but must beg to differ. Better food and drink, accommodation and information at a large and important historical site like Avebury <i>are</i> important and do not just make the place merely more convenient. Personally I like a good pint and a chinwag at the Red Lion (and have enjoyed both of those over the years and met some interesting and well-informed folk in the process). A friend, who is a vegetarian, prefers a pot of Earl Grey and a piece of carrot cake at the Stones Restaurant. Both the pub and the restaurant are a welcome break for many after a full day walking round Avebury (and I don't just mean walking round the circle).

However, people don't have to use the pub or the restaurant if they don't want to; they don't have to go to Avebury by car and they don't need to read information boards or go into the two Avebury museums, the National Trust shop or the Henge Shop. For many people though doing these things is part of an enjoyable and educational day at an important historical site. For some it will be their first experience of a stone circle and may generate an interest to visit quieter and more remote sites (or even join an on-line site such as TMA where they can learn even more about megalithic structures and the people who visit them :-)