Re: Pick the bones out of this | Forum

Stonehenge 181

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Pick the bones out of this

nigelswift Feb 5, 2006 20:14:58

Replying to PeterH

Peter, Machiavelli was my great great uncle on both my mother's and father's side, fear not. And I'm also well aware ot the value of reasonableness. (You may be surprised to know that HA get on very affably with EH on a number of local low profile issues).

However, the "establishment" is by no means single minded on this issue. EH are extremely keen to build a multi multi-million Countess East Visitors CentreTheme Park. To follow the logic of what we're talking about here would render that unnecessary. I would be pleased about that. So perhaps would you. I'm not sure how any campaign by us can do other than bring us into head to head confrontation with EH's vision. On the other hand, it would align us with an awful lot of other important people. Isn't it healthy that the issue should come to a head rather in a sector-wide debate rather than be resolved unilaterally?
It won't be us that decides, it will be the merits of the case, and no-one will have cause to complain. Let's air it, widely, and see what happens.

VenerableBottyBurp Feb 5, 2006 20:59:59

Replying to nigelswift

This Mac the Velli, is he related to Old Mac Don Old - eeh, I, eeh, I, eeh, I, he had a farm ya know...

VBB

PeterH Feb 5, 2006 21:00:35

Replying to nigelswift

"Isn't it healthy that the issue should come to a head rather in a sector-wide debate rather than be resolved unilaterally?
It won't be us that decides, it will be the merits of the case, and no-one will have cause to complain. Let's air it, widely, and see what happens."

Yes I do agree. It is healthy that the issue should come to a head and we should air it widely, but its the "see what happens" bit that worries me. What "happens" at the end of the day is the only thing that really matters.

As I said earlier, other people will have other agendas and some of those will be about financial profit and professsional kudos. Not much we can do about anyone out to make killing from a Disney type Stonehenge experience theme park. Our confrontation with them will be inevitable, but to fight that particualar fire we might find powerful allies already in the establishment. You have come up with a sensible, cost effective alternative so now some thought needs to be given as to how the merits of that case can be put across effectively and sold. If presented sympathetically, it should appeal to anyone who genuinly cares about the integrity of Stonehenge and its landscape. Who are they and what are THEIR prioritires? Can we form an alliance? Can we influence the influential? Can we get it written up in Brit Arch?

With respect - that kind of approach is possibly gonna be more effective than having a rant about previous mistakes and neglect. Attack those who have allowed the mess and muddle and they are bound to defend themselves. Result is that everyone tries to cover their backs, shift the blame, deny reality, refuse to listen to new ideas and further entrench themselves in their bunkers. Politicians, professors and civil servants do it all of the time - its second nature to them and essential to their survival and career progression. Maybe I'm just naive in hoping that the pattern can be broken.