Hello
First of all I would like to say that I am not a member of ANY group involved in this on-going argument involving the knitted items left at the Merry Maidens - I do however live very close by and was there on the day that this event took place and know some of the other people involved.
Firstly, I feel I must say to everyone who thinks it was just a bit of fun and "no harm done" - the only reason there WAS 'no harm done' was because all of the items were removed before any harm could occur. These were NOT just knitted flowers as has been reported elsewhere, many of them either contained pins or were pinned in place and I'm sure even the Grannys most ardent supporters will understand, pins and trails of yarn can cause terrible harm to wildlife, small children, dogs, and to grazing cattle who also use the site - at the moment there are many fox cubs, young badgers and fledglings in the immediate area. The wool itself was a mixture of acrylics which will not biodegrade easily and besides all that, the Merry Maidens is a Grade 1 Scheduled Monument with a sign at the entrance asking all who visit to respect the site and leave nothing behind. Had the ladies decorated the area, taken photos and then removed it all then there really would have been 'no harm done', but they didn't. They left it all there for others to clear up. It was a criminal act (look it up if you don't believe me) - if they had done the same thing to the altar at Truro Cathedral they would have been hauled off by the police.
The personal digs at the monitors/volunteers who genuinely care for these sacred and important sites are very uncalled for. If it wasn't for them many of the sites would be inaccessible to the public all together or closed and permanently fenced off. They give up a great deal of their time and work very hard at clearing the areas of rubbish left by visitors, (including dog faeces, used condoms etc) and undergrowth which undermines the structures.
And finally, there is absolutely nothing wrong with leaving offerings consisting of flowers or natural materials but please, no elastic bands, pins, cellophane and absolutely no tea-lights. It all has to be cleared away by someone - perhaps some of you would like to volunteer?