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Stonehenge road closure approved

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Sanctuary S
Sanctuary Nov 6, 2011 07:52:03
Replying to The Eternal

The Eternal wrote:
I'm a cynic, like Rhiannon, and with good reason, given the money-obsessed organizations of EH and the NT. They don't just charge a fee, they charge an obscene fee. Nowt wrong with paying for entry, but make it affordable to all.

So, the "new" Stonehenge will be open, will it? That means most people will be able to get in somewhere for free. Can't see either of the aforementioned money-grabbers being happy with that little scenario, can you?

As for nigelswift's view, I agree that we certainly do not want Blackpool-type visitor provisions. I understand that by removing the road it will make it very difficult for disabled people to see the stones, so, obviously, they have to have some form of transport to enable them to get there. However, keep the transport for the disabled: let's not let lazy people use that transport, in order to minimise the intrusion of any vehicular access.

I, for one, will always find a way into Stonehenge without paying, like I always have done. If the fee was reasonable, then I'd willingly pay, but they're even charging for parking at the moment.

I hope ther is a solution to suit all, but I can't see the leopards changing their spots.

Cheers,
TE.

Yes I've done my share of 'free Stonehenge' as well TC when I was younger and have even spent the night there filming but it no longer has any appeal to me and don't give a monkey if I ever saw it again to be honest. Officialdom has done that for me coupled with the constant changing of ideas and and sheer amount of time spent publicising the place like nowhere else matters. It's just a money trap now. For me Avebury's plendour is far more interesting and you can still get up and personal with the stones and get a real feeling for the place. Stonehenge they have killed off for me. That aside I much prefer these days to visit small sites where you can get your mind together without the distraction of constantly being interrupted or moved on and actually spending time there doing real research and forming your own opinion rather than it being formed for you by too many preconceived ideas because in the main these little sites are overlooked but often just as important IMO.

T tjj
tjj Nov 6, 2011 09:30:39
Replying to Sanctuary

I haven't commented on this at all but keeping a close eye on how things progress. Although I live in the same county as Stonehenge, like Roy - Avebury and its surrounds has always been my bolt hole.

The first time I visited the Stonehenge landscape I had the most wonderful experience without actually going inside 'the fence'; I'm sure this is how Stonehenge is meant to be experienced. I visited again last year when I did 'go in' and walked slowly around this spectacular monument taking all the perspectives - which cannot be fully appreciated any other way. I haven't seen the sun go down or rise from within the henge yet as being a bit anti-social know I would not enjoy being part of the large gatherings that happen twice a year. I'm sure EH and/or NT will make enough money from the carpark and shop (as they do at Avebury) but if they are truly going to give Stonehenge back to the people then I applaud them. I'm sure visitors will self-monitor any potential stone climbing activities.

July 2009.
Today a friend .. took me into the Stonehenge landscape; it was a wonderful elemental sort of day, the sort I experienced on the Orkneys, only right here in Wiltshire. We went to Durrington Walls and walked across what had once been a Neolithic settlement, the hairs started to tingle on my arms, a strange sensation. Then round into Woodhenge to stand and stare for a bit ... before a shower blew over.

I was thinking it couldn’t get any better when my friend showed me a hidden spring by the river Avon right at the start of the Avenue to Stonehenge. I am trying to find the right word for such a place apart from the usual mystical, sacred; it was both of those things. Walking across the Avenue, which is still intact as a raised grassy ‘road’ the word liminal came to mind. Limen is from the Latin meaning ‘threshold’ - it was that sort of place.

The same experience occurred walking back towards Stonehenge in the long wild grass of what was once the Avenue. Wonderful … it was a day I will not forget.

T The Eternal
The Eternal Nov 6, 2011 21:45:51
Replying to Sanctuary

Sanctuary wrote:
Yes I've done my share of 'free Stonehenge' as well TC when I was younger and have even spent the night there filming but it no longer has any appeal to me and don't give a monkey if I ever saw it again to be honest. Officialdom has done that for me coupled with the constant changing of ideas and and sheer amount of time spent publicising the place like nowhere else matters. It's just a money trap now. For me Avebury's plendour is far more interesting and you can still get up and personal with the stones and get a real feeling for the place. Stonehenge they have killed off for me. That aside I much prefer these days to visit small sites where you can get your mind together without the distraction of constantly being interrupted or moved on and actually spending time there doing real research and forming your own opinion rather than it being formed for you by too many preconceived ideas because in the main these little sites are overlooked but often just as important IMO.
I'm with you on that, Roy.
Cheers,
TE.