WKLB to Close?

West Kennet Long Barrow 14

Image by gjrk

Pete G Nov 9, 2004 18:08:04

The National Trust are Considering closing the
west kennet longbarrow due to the amount of damage the
visiters have been causing.
Wotcha Fink?
PeteG

FourWinds Nov 9, 2004 18:19:18

Replying to Pete G

Is that bit of land covered by Right to Roam?

paul1970 Nov 9, 2004 18:37:47

Replying to Pete G

Never been to west kennet, read an awful lot about it though, seems to be a magnet for individuals and groups intent on ritual!, from the evidence ive seen on the net, mainly photos i really cant fault anybody wanting to restrict access!, honestly speaking what right do we have to enter such places anyway and engage in ritual as many do so, yes i have myself visited several sites and done so on the intention of 'clairvoyantly' gaining evidence to their past use(s).This however in no way degrades the site in anyway or form unlike the evidence shown and spoken of.

Sometimes these places need a break from us, before we break them!

moss Nov 9, 2004 18:52:51

Replying to Pete G

It would be a terrible shame but perhaps it might shock the wicked ones who light these candles. Alternatively, a loud smoke detector (siren level).

juamei Nov 9, 2004 21:16:32

Replying to Pete G

I think "bugger".

Last time I was there I removed about 20 nightlights & a fair bit of stuff that had been left as offerings, nowhere near any significant events either. Contrast with last time I was at Stoney Littleton, I removed a solid fuel packet and a packet of crisps.

Are NT likely to take down notices placed by anyone else?

Hob Nov 9, 2004 22:45:10

Replying to Pete G

If they did, how would they close it?

Not with a metal grille hopefully. That could be a prelude to an admission fee like at Maes Howe. Not to mention the damage to the barrow. That really would suck.

But there'd have to be something to block the entrance.
Big fence?
Big stone?
Big lad with a big stick?
Big T-light?

nigelswift Nov 10, 2004 07:00:48

Replying to Pete G

Candles as such are actually no problem. It's dripping and smoking and placement that cause the damage.

If they're in containers, and the wick is kept trimmed and they're not near the walls then they're harmless.

Decent gel candles burn for days and hardly need trimming at all so never smoke.

I suspect a lot of people who light candles do so because they need light, not purely as an act of reverence. If there was a bit of a bench in there, they'd put their candles on that, rather than on the wall.

That, plus notices, could be easily tested before the ultimate solution is used.

T3mp3r Nov 10, 2004 11:24:27

Replying to Pete G

So effectively the actions of a minority are going to stop access to the majority - not exactly a good thing. And while I admit that said minority is doing these actions in good faith, it doesn't change the potential outcome. A sign making them aware of the potential outcome of their action would surely be enough to keep this beautiful site open...

nigelswift Nov 11, 2004 12:59:20

Replying to Pete G

Something written by Clair Prout of Save Our Ancient Sites....

"Back in October '95 a Wiltshire local paper printed a story about the National Trust (NT) employing security guards to ensure that visitors to West Kennet long barrow behaved 'properly'. This was necessary, we were told, because of increasing damage to the barrow. West Kennet long barrow is a favourite monument of mine and I was alarmed at the thought that security guards, too often uniformed thugs, would be able to turf me out of the barrow if they did not like the look of me, and that the ultimate in 'management' of such sites seems to be to put a fence around them and prevent people from wondering at the beauty and awesome engineering skills involved.

So I took a trip to the barrow to see the damage for myself. I left feeling that the best course of management would be to put an electric fence and a pack of Dobermans around it. "

goffik Nov 12, 2004 14:28:07

Replying to Pete G

Could we just put it in a museum? Everybody's happy then!

G x

smallblueplanet Nov 20, 2004 22:21:36

Replying to Pete G

Where did you get this information from?
Can you post a link so we can all read it please?