Yorkshire's 'Stonehenge of the North' gifted to the nation
Three huge Neolithic monuments in Yorkshire which have been described as "the Stonehenge of the North" have been gifted to the nation.
The Thornborough Henges complex, near Ripon, date back to around 3500BC to 2500BC and consist of three 656ft (200m) wide circular earthworks... continues...
Solar farm sparks fears for 'Stonehenge of the North'
A GOVERNMENT service which champions England's heritage has condemned a scheme to site a 960-panel solar farm near the most important ancient site between Stonehenge and the Orkney Islands... continues...
After 17 years on site the publication report for Nosterfield Quarry is complete. This important work tells the story of the northern margins of Thornborough Moor, the changing patterns of its use during the prehistoric period, the drainage of the wetland and their subsequent enclosure.
Beltane Joy at Thornborough Henges ! Hail Brigantia !
Fun was had by one and all that attended the Beltane celebration at Thornborough Henges over the May Bank Holiday Weekend. Perhaps 500 people attended from all over the country. Glorious sun and pretty windy. Superb fire show at night, awesome drumming sessions and I got handfasted to my love. Many thanks to Ollie and Sigbrit... continues...
ONLY a flock of birds is standing in the way of the extraction of 1.1 million tonnes of sand and gravel from a quarry extension near to the Neolithic Thornborough Henges in North Yorkshire... continues...
The fear that planning would be approved around the Thornborough Henges has come to pass. I attended the meeting today with trepidation, only to have my fears confirmed. This will not be the end of this fight, but it will get harder.
Please, all you people who care about our ancient sites, talk about Thornborough, maybe through publicity we can shame those who don't care into seeing the error of their ways.
I live in hope!
Quarry approval expected near three historic henges
Sad News....
APPROVAL is finally expected to be given next week for the quarrying of 1.1 million tonnes of sand and gravel less than a mile from three Neolithic henges.
Nosterfield Quarry, near Masham, produces 500,000 tonnes of sand and gravel a year and is the source of 20 per cent of the material in North Yorkshire... continues...
Controversial plans to extend a quarry close to an ancient monument in North Yorkshire have been given the go-ahead despite opposition from campaigners.
Construction firm Tarmac can now extend its works at Ladybridge Farm, near the historic Thornborough Henges... continues...
TARMAC Northern's submission of a revised planning application to quarry land near the Thornborough henges ancient monument site increases the stakes in this long-running saga... continues...
A quarry company yesterday confirmed it is to challenge the rejection of controversial plans to extract sand and gravel from land close to a 5,000-year-old monument site... continues...
The man who created the Lightwater Valley theme park wants to turn the ancient Thornborough Henges into a tourist attraction.
Landowner Robert Staveley outlined his ideas at a public meeting called by West Tanfield Parish Council on Wednesday... continues...
[Timewatch] spokesman George Chaplin said: "The threat of quarrying has not been removed by the planning refusal but it has given time to take stock and for everyone to agree upon the best future for the whole area... continues...
"Plans to quarry gravel from part of Britain's biggest prehistoric site were rejected yesterday but the construction company Tarmac is to appeal... continues...
"Researchers at Newcastle University have found the Thornborough Henges are one of the earliest major monuments aligned to the constellation Orion.
The 5,500-year-old earthworks, north of Ripon, and the Egyptian pyramids are thought to have been built to mirror Orion's belt for its religious focus... continues...
Groups campaigning to stop quarrying around Thornborough Henges have slammed a recently published conservation plan. TimeWatch is disappointed with the proposed Thornborough Henges Conservation Plan announced last week, saying it neither includes the entire Thornborough complex nor addresses all the important issues... continues...
The Chairman of TimeWatch, George Chaplin, is unhappy with the way the further examination of the Ladybridge farm site is being conducted.
"This newest digging will not produce the eight to ten per cent sample required by English Heritage and, in fact, is focused on an area where artefacts have already been found," he said this week... continues...
Campaigners are calling for an independent assessment by archaeologists of the threatened quarry site near the Thornborough Henges.
Last week North Yorkshire County Council put off a decision on controversial plans by quarry firm Tarmac to extract 2... continues...
Campaigners opposing plans for quarrying near an ancient monument in North Yorkshire must wait until the New Year for a decision by councillors.
Tarmac has applied to quarry sand and gravel at Ladybridge Farm, north of Ripon, near Thornborough Henges... continues...
Decision-makers urged to reject quarrying near henges
Decision-makers urged to reject quarrying near henges
From the archive, first published Wednesday 14th Sep 2005.
THE long and often acrimonious battle over the future of one of Britain's most important archaeological sites will come to a head next week... continues...
Quarry firm Tarmac is offering to give 60 acres of land adjacent the ancient Thornborough Henges to the nation.
The company, currently in dispute with conservationists over its plans to extend quarrying operations near the 5,000 year old site, says its "significant donation" will help ensure the preservation of the henges... continues...
Protesters to deluge council over quarry
By Richard Edwards
Protesters fighting a quarry plan near an ancient Yorkshire monument are to hit a council with the biggest number of objections in its history... continues...
A New York-based conservation group has joined the battle to prevent further quarrying near an ancient monument known as the Stonehenge of the North.
The Landmarks Foundation said plans by Tarmac to extend its sand and gravel quarry close to Thornborough Henges, near Ripon, would be a "tragedy"... continues...
A company which wants to quarry near an ancient monument has dismissed suggestions that the site contains items of archaeological importance.
Tarmac wants to extend its sand and gravel operations next to Thornborough Henges near Ripon, North Yorks... continues...
From This is Richmond, 19 may 2005
A QUARRY firm's own archaeologists said a site chosen for excavation should not be disturbed, according to campaigners... continues...
Atkins Heritage was commissioned by English Heritage and the Thornborough Henges Consultation Group to prepare a conservation plan for the local area. At a meeting with residents on Wednesday they suggested an eight square mile "exclusion zone"... continues...
A quarry firm has stated that it has no intention to extract sand and gravel
from Thornborough Moor - home of the Thornborough Henges - within the next
ten years... continues...
Friends of Thornborough make statement on jobs claim
Campaigners have hit back at claims by quarry company Tarmac over the threat of job losses if it is not allowed to expand its operations close to the Thornborough Henges.
In a statement last week Tarmac warned the local economy would suffer if quarrying had to cease and said tourism would not compensate for the loss of some £2... continues...
THE Thornborough Henges, three huge prehistoric circle-and-ditch structures near Ripon in North Yorkshire, have been described as "the Stonehenge of the North"... continues...
Powerful new challenge in Thornborough Henges fight
TimeWatch Media Release – 28.02.05
TimeWatch group launches major attack on Tarmac plc.
After six months of campaigning under the banner of Heritage Action, the Thornborough Campaign is now to be launched as a separate, independent campaign group, called TimeWatch... continues...
A 5,000 year old ceremony is to be recreated this week as campaigners carry an ancient ceremonial axe through Yorkshire's "Sacred Vale" to Thornborough... continues...
A more comprehensive article appears in the Ripon Gazette:
Horses find shows that we are not riding roughshod through archaeology - Tarmac
Quarry firm Tarmac has faced bitter criticism from campaigners fighting to protect the prehistoric Thornborough Henges and has been accused of destroying archaeological remains in the s... continues...
TV hope for henges protestors
A campaign group fighting to stop quarrying being extended near an ancient landmark say a BBC series will aid their efforts.
Thornborough Henges, near Ripon, North Yorkshire, will feature on British
Isles - A Natural History, which is being presented by Alan Titchmarsh... continues...
Expert blasts quarry firm over 'threat' to unique ancient site
From a Yorkshire Today article by David Garner, published on 28th September 2004:
The man who helped unlock the secrets of one of Britain's most important Neolithic sites has launched a fierce attack on plans to extend nearby quarry workings... continues...
Campaigners fighting to preserve one of the most important ancient sites in Britain have been given a six-month breathing space before its future is decided... continues...
Quarry firm Tarmac Northern Ltd wants to open up a new area of extraction at
its sand and gravel quarry close to the Thornborough Henges. These proposals
have been the focus of widespread condemnation from heritage groups across
the UK... continues...
by Norman Hammond, Archaeology Correspondent of The Times Online, 24 August 2004
UNPRECEDENTED protests have been made in Yorkshire about plans to quarry the prehistoric ritual landscape around the Thornborough Henges... continues...
Objections to quarrying at Thornborough henge complex
Heritage campaigners fighting to stop the destruction of the massive Thornborough henge complex this week delivered more than 600 written objections to the planning department of North Yorkshire County Council in Northallerton, northern England... continues...
A HUGE number of objections are being delivered to County Hall today, protesting against a quarry firm's bid to extend its operations near the 'Stonehenge of the North'... continues...
Bid to increase quarrying runs into a barrow-load of trouble
CAMPAIGNERS delivered a wheelbarrow full of objections against more quarrying near an ancient monument in North Yorkshire yesterday.
About 550 letters were handed to the county council from protestors fighting plans to extend the Nosterfield Quarry, close to Thornborough Henges, near Ripon, North Yorkshire... continues...
Yorkshire campaigners opposing the proposed planning application by Tarmac Northern to quarry close to Thornborough Henges in North Yorkshire, say the application contravenes the local council's policy on quarrying in the area... continues...
A decision on plans to quarry near an ancient monument known as "Britain's best kept prehistoric secret" will not be rushed, North Yorkshire Council has promised... continues...
A quarry firm has been warned it has a fight on its hands over plans to extend its operations next to an ancient site of national importance... continues...
A PREHISTORIC site at risk from quarrying appears to have found a new ally, with North Yorkshire County Council acknowledging its national importance... continues...
Thornborough is the only triple henge complex in the world and the only one to share the same astronomical alignment as the pyramids at Giza in Egypt... continues...
Lip service?
A new group has been set up to look at the future of one of Britain's most important archaeological areas. Thornborough Henges near Ripon in North Yorkshire is a concentration of late Neolithic and Bronze Age sites... continues...
The Archaeology of the Thornborough Henge Complex - Conference
9.30 - Editted highlights of Time Flyers and discussion by Dave Macleod and Richard Maude, presenter and producer.
10.05 - Planning for Change - some current princeples and past lessons - George Lambrick Director of CBA
10.20 - A comparison with Stonehenge: linkages in the landscape - Mike Parker Pearson.
10... continues...
Experts Voice Fears Over Gravel Extraction At Unique Henge Site
Do I detect the hand of our very our BrigantesNation at work here?!
From www.24hour museum.org.uk
Archaeologists and local campaigners have expressed their concern at the possibility of further gravel extraction close to the Neolithic complex of henges at Thornborough in Yorkshire.
Jon Lowry, chairman of the Friends of the Thornborough Henges, has received a letter confirming that Tarmac Northern Ltd, which is already quarrying in other areas around the henges, "is shortly to submit a planning application for the Ladybridge Farm area."
Just spent three nights here for the Mabon celebrations. Rituals aren't really my thing but camping besides an henge with two others in close proximity definitely is.
I'm not sure what the situation has been in the past but at the moment you cant walk the direct route between all three henges, the way from the central henge to the north henge is private property, the field contains an house, big disappointment. On a more positive note you can easily walk from the central henge to the southern one, though you do have to cross a small lane.
If you want to visit the northern henge (you really should, it's easily the best imo) then it's quite straight forward.
From within the central henge leave by the gate facing the southern entrance, as if you we're heading for the southern henge but turn right and walk along the lane a short while, 300 metres-ish and take the first possible right (on foot) up a narrow path that's rather overgrown (atm) with sloe berries, stay on it till you meet the road. Cross the road and follow the other lane till you are almost at the point where it dog legs, dip through the hedge here (on your right) and you're in the northern henge.
It's well worth the effort. ;)
I'm amazed there are so few posts for the Thornborough Henges as they are such an important part of our Neolithic inheritance and, as a triple henge, unique in the UK if not the world.
Given the link with Orion's belt posited by Jan Harding, readers might like to compare the excellent Orkneyjar website which compares the layout of the 3 main Orkney henges with Thornborough:
Maybe Yorkshire folk should campaign for the whole 'sacred vale' from the Devil's Arrows through the various henges to Thornborough and beyond to become a World Heritage Site. It might help to stop the area becoming like another Eurodisney-esque 'nature reserve' once Tarmac Northern have finished with it.
If someone wanted to built a motorway through the Great Pyramids at Giza there would be global outrage: why not at Thornborough too?
26-6-03
I visited this area three days previously but was looking in the wrong direction; I only found the northern henge. Armed with a map and compass and personal guide, I found the others this time ;-)
.o0O0o.
Come off the A1 at the B6267 junction heading for Masham. Before going to the henges I recommend a quick diversion:
After about 1/2 mile, take the next right to Kirklington, after about 1/2 mile you will enter the village, turn left and park up to visit the church.
Inside the church, to the right of the door are a number of prehistoris remains held in a cabinet, including Bronze Age pot fragments and an Iron Age bead.
Take time to view the heads in the church, in particular have a look at the "Ogmios" head, and the "fish lady".
Once you have visted the church, back in the car and carry on out of the village (church on your right) for 1/2 mile to the juntion. Here, turn right and travel for about 1 mile till you get to Nosterfield. Turn left into the village and park up.
To get to the henges, continue walking in the direction of travel (south) out of the village until you come to a wooded area on the left. this is the first and best preserved henge. There are no access rights to any of the henges but I hear some terrible folks just walk in and look around!
Once you've seen the northern hange continue south down a track which runs alongside the central henge on the left. you will also see the landfill site (owned by North Yorkshire County Council) on your right, and lots of evidence of quarrying all round.
At the end of the track turn left to head towards the henge. Again I could not comment on the use of the gate to gain access to the henge. Notice that the some of the stones in the intrior of the henge wal are half covered with "gypsom plaster". I have a theory that the henge walls were plastered white.
From the central henge you could carry on down to the southern henge, through the gate on the other side of the road. My favorite henge is the southern one. Although it is the most destroyed, it is also the mose tranquil.
Before going home, I'd also recommend a visit to another site.
One the the alignments heads from the northern henge to St Michaels Well, at Well. If you rejoin the main road (in the car) and turn left, than take the next right, you will get to Well. Once you have negotiated the steep bank at Well, take the next right and park up at the Church. The church has many relics of interest. Including some find "celtic heads" and other carvings on the outside of the church. Look hard to find the horned god, fish woman and naked man shaking hands with a giant. The cross was probably from a Devils Arrows type megalith originally.
What you have seen during this visit are clues to the significance of the area of Thornborough and it's northern perimeter. The henges, whilst being of fundamental importance are only a part of this ritual landscape. The "god figures" held in the local churches, the significance of St Michaels Well help create a wider ritual landscape that shows a "deformed continuity" of ancient beliefs.
A group of three late Neolithic/early Bronze Age henge monuments alligned in a row, surviving as earthworks and cropmarks. Further details are contained in the individual henge records (SE 27 NE 31, 32,33). The features have been mapped as part of the Thornborough Henges NMP project. See individual records for details.
"51/2 miles north of Ripon, 1 mile northeast of West Tanfield the Thornborough circles.
Early in bronze Age times the land about Ripon, between the Ure and the Swale, became a religious centre. Six enormous sacred sites were built in an area 7 miles long; among them at least 28 barrows were accumulated.
The most impressive henge monuments are the 3 Thornborough Circles. Of these, the central one is the most accessible, the northern one is the best preserved (because it is protected from the plough by trees). Each circle, like those east of Ripon, has a maximum diameter of about 800 ft. They are all nearly circular, with entrances NW and SE. Each has a massive bank, originally about 10ft high, with a ditch inside and outside it, about 65ft. wide and 8 - 10ft deep. The outer ditch of each circle is now filled up by the ploughing. Broad spaces about 40ft wide separate the banks from their ditches - an architectural refinement nowhere else in England."
Please help Friends of Thornborough. The entire area looks like it will be soon under water and landfill sites. There is a plan to allow Tarmac to extract gravel from the entire local area. Removing all of the known extensive surrounding and closely related archaeology. Already a great many post alignments have been lost forever, together with ring ditches and many other features.
Key viewing points, marked out by post alignments are now submerged under artificial lakes.
Please visit the site. It may be your last chance to see very much at all. A ring of trees has been planted, surrounding the entire henge area, and completely blocking the original alignment, as indicated by the entrances and the post holes. A cusus, to the east of the northern hange is also not scheduled and will eventually be destroyed.
The place to get the latest on the campaign to save Thornborough. This is where the main campaign to save Thornborough runs. Come here for the petition, information, chat, downloads and a whole lot more. Don't miss the front page animation.
Definately the best Thornborough campaign information. But then again, I helped build it!
The triple henge complex at Thornborough, North Yorkshire is under immediate threat from quarrying.
You can help prevent prevent these activities from destroying any further archaeology by signing our petition.