Stonehenge and the National Trust

Stonehenge (c) David Gill

Stonehenge is part of one of the most important prehistoric (and historic) landscapes in England. A members' resolution has been presented to the National Trust AGM on Saturday (21 October 2017) that aims to protect and preserve the integrity of the UNESCO World Heritage site in the face of the proposed tunnel construction.

Members of the National Trust can vote on the resolution on-line here. Details of the resolution can be downloaded here.

The Heritage Journal lays out some of the concerns here.

• Details of the story from the BBC
• Rescue on the Resolution

Stonehenge Visitor Centre

One of the casualties of the UK spending review is the cancellation of the proposed £25 million visitor centre at Stonehenge (BBC News, June 17, 2010; "Coalition government axes £2bn of projects", BBC News June 17, 2010). The plan for the visitor centre had been approved in 2007 and then then Prime Minister had endorsed the project in October 2009. The final approval for the project had been given on January 10, 2010.

English Heritage has made a statement today:

English Heritage is obviously extremely disappointed that the £10 million promised by Gordon Brown, then Prime Minister, in the House of Commons on 13 May, 2009, will not now be forthcoming. 

Stonehenge is a project of global significance. It is Britain’s premier World Heritage Site. It was a key feature in Britain’s bid for the London Olympics. Transforming the monument’s setting and the visitor experience is vital to Britain’s reputation, and to our tourism industry, especially in 2012 but also thereafter. 

This does not necessarily mean this is the end of the project. We will be discussing the withdrawal of Government financial support with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. We will be making an announcement as to the future of the project after the English Heritage Commission meets on 30 June.

A video of the cancelled project can be found here.

Image
© David Gill, 2010.

Call for Bluestones to return to Pembrokeshire

Recent archaeological fieldwork on the slopes of Carn Menyn in the Preseli mountains in south-west Wales have identified the likely quarry sites for the bluestones erected at Stonehenge, the World Heritage site in Wiltshire.

Dr Simon Thurley, chief executive of English Heritage, is quoted on the BBC ("Excavation starts at Stonehenge", March 31, 2008): 

"The bluestones hold the key to understanding the purpose and meaning of Stonehenge."

Recent excavations have shown the intended layout of the bluestones at Stonehenge (see English Heritage Timewatch video).
 
In a surprise move Y Gymuned Ffyliaid Ebrill has called for the symbolic return of one of the bluestones from Salisbury Plain. A spokesperson from the Pembrokeshire-based group explained that they would be making their case later this month at the Cairo conference where various countries will be calling for the return of cultural property:

The bluestones are as important to the people of Pembrokeshire as the Rosetta Stone is to the people of Egypt. We are not asking for all the stones to be returned: just the one. And a generous sponsor has agreed to make a copy for display at Stonehenge; nobody will know the difference.

In response, the Ancient Cambrian Cromlech Group issued a press statement condemning the move: 

The bluestones have a more appropriate context in the wilds of Salisbury Plain. More motorists see the stones from the A303 as they travel to the West Country than there are walkers in the Preseli Mountains. They are an integral part of the Wiltshire landscape.

Full details of the Cairo conference will be issued shortly.

Image
© David Gill, 2010