Cursuswalker
The Cerne Giant Homer 6/10/07. Does it consist of remaining paint or just dead grass? It would be interesting to know.
Image credit: Jo Matthews (Deputy Manager Pagan Federation Prison Ministry)
The Cerne Giant 6/10/07. homer still clearly visible. Does it consist of remaining paint or just dead grass? It would be interesting to know.
Image credit: Jo Matthews (Deputy Manager Pagan Federation Prison Ministry)
The tower on top of Glastonbury Tor in Somerset has been covered in purple paint and had graffiti daubed on its flagstones.
The National Trust, which owns and maintains the Tor, said it was “dismayed” after spending more than £500,000 recently on its restoration.
The Trust said the southern face of St Michael’s Tower had been targeted during Sunday night.
The group Fathers 4 Justice said one of its sympathisers was responsible.
Andrew Mayled, National Trust Somerset property manager, said: “This is a terrible case of vandalism to the Tor.
“Glastonbury Tor is a Scheduled Ancient Monument of national importance and this wanton vandalism is the equivalent of desecrating Stonehenge.
“As a charity, we will now need to expend our valuable time and resources attempting to restore the Tor to its former appearance.
“First impressions suggest that the still-wet paint used to vandalise the Tor is a water-based paint and we hope we will be able to begin removing it on Monday without damaging the monument.
“However, access to the top of the Tor is very difficult for vehicles and we will need to look at how we get pressure-washing equipment to the top of the Tor.”
Last year, the Trust completed a £540,000 five-year restoration plan of the tower and Tor. Avon and Somerset Police said the incident had not been formally reported to them, and that they could not therefore comment.
thisisdorset.net/display.var.1645001.0.giant_daubed_by_vigilante.php
RESIDENTS living close to the Cerne Abbas Giant are angry with campaigners after the famous landmark was vandalised.
A man from the Fathers 4 Justice group, which campaigns against family law favouring mothers, is thought to be behind the 40ft penis on the National Trust site being painted purple. The landmark was targeted overnight between Friday and Saturday by someone describing himself as the Westcountry’s ‘Purple Phantom’.
Cerne Abbas Parish Council chairman Peter Smith said: “This is particularly irritating because it has happened inside the enclosure that protects the giant.
The land there is sacrosanct because it is a special site. We don’t want people damaging it for obvious reasons.”
Purple is the international colour for equality.
Written beside the giant were the words Read Family Court Hell’ – a reference to a recently published book by Fathers 4 Justice campaigner Mark Harris.
The action follows a rash of purple doors being painted on to the offices of Cafcass, the court welfare service, in the Westcountry in recent weeks.
And it is not the first time the Cerne Abbas Giant has been targeted in the name of publicity. In July cartoon character Homer Simpson was painted next to the giant to promote the new Simpsons film. Mr Smith said residents had not objected to that because it had not damaged the 180ft carving – believed to aid fertility – and had brought more people to the area to visit.
A Fathers 4 Justice spokesman said: “We have no idea who this man is, but clearly he is a sympathiser to our cause, has read a book that has made him very angry. He sounds like a vigilante.”
This You Tube presentation covers the first day of filming on the figure, including evidence of irresponsible practices on the part of ITV.
Druids celebrate Lammas at the Long Man of Wilmington 5/8/07.
Nice to be able to put up a positive image of the place again!
Image credit: cursuswalker
Windover Bowl Barrow from the entrance to the very lovely, but entirely un-megalithic, Druids’ Rest, a medieval quarry above the Long Man that destroyed who knows what archaeology? Looking south.
The dug out nature of the Barrow is all too obvious, courtesy of Gideon Mantell. He may have known his dinosaurs, but the man shouldn’t have been allowed near a barrow.
27/7/07
Image credit: cursuswalker
Turf damage on the left waist of the Long Man, from the path at the top of the figure 27/7/07.
Image credit: cursuswalker
Turf damage on the left elbow of the Long Man, from the base of the figure 27/7/07.
Image credit: cursuswalker
A loose block on the Long Man 27/7/07.
This is visible from the viewing point in Wilmington. Again, high time this was fixed.
Image credit: cursuswalker
Hunter’s Burgh from the north. 27/7/07
Not so clear cut in shape from this side!
Image credit: cursuswalker
Hunter’s Burgh lies right on one of the major corners on the Downs, with views to east and west that disappear as soon as one travels either way. It has a clear shape from three sides, particularly approaching from the top of the hill. From the north, down the slope, the edge is very unclear and seems teardrop shaped.
To the East lies Eastbourne, and above it the Neolithic Combe Hill Causwayed Camp with its associated round barrows. to the west Firle Beacon, with its Long Barrow, and Mount Caburn, with its Iron Age hill fort and possible earlier use in the Bronze Age.
This is the largest barrow on Wilmington Hill. If I am right about the barrows on the summit they may only be smaller due to ploughing out, or similar activity, as they lie on level ground. Hunter’s Burgh’s saving grace may have been the slope it lies upon, suited only to grazing.
Or maybe it was always the largest, in which case why so far down the hill?
The view west from Hunter’s Burgh. 27/7/07
Firle Beacon, and its Long Barrow, at left. Caburn at centre.
Image credit: cursuswalker
The view east from Hunter’s Burgh. 27/7/07
Combe Hill Causewayed Camp is on the flat hill on the right. At the time it was made the whole of the flat area of Eastbourne would have been sea or estuary.
Image credit: cursuswalker
The two possible barrows of the Wilmington Hill Barrow Cemetery that lie to the east of the trig-station, from the south. 27/7/07.
These need further investigation, in particular the one obscured by bushes on the left.
Image credit: cursuswalker
The western barrow of the Wilmington Hill Barrow Cemetery. 27/7/07
This one is a definite.
Image credit: cursuswalker
This cemetery is not marked on OS maps. It lies around the trig-station on the summit of Wilmington Hill, consisting of one definite round barrow to the west of it and two more possible barrows to the east.
The Bowl Barrow from the west. 27/7/07
Image credit: cursuswalker
The Eastern Barrow from the south west. 27/7/07
Image credit: cursuswalker
The Eastern Barrow is left, with the larger Bowl Barrow at right. 27/7/07
Image credit: cursuswalker
The ditch surrounding the Bowl Barrow 27/7/07. Looking south west.
Image credit: cursuswalker
The view to the south west from on top of the Long Mound 27/7/07.
Image credit: cursuswalker
The gap in the Long Mound 27/7/07. Looking north west.
This was caused by an excavation of the Long Mound in the early 20th Century, for which I have forgotten the source.
This gap was the origin of Rodney Castleden’s phallus theory in The Wilmington Giant (1983), the area to the right being the head.
Image credit: cursuswalker
Windover Hill Western Barrow Cemetery 27/7/07. Taken from half way up the Cursus.
Image credit: cursuswalker
The view down the Cursus 27/7/07. Looking north west.
Image credit: cursuswalker
The fence at the foot of the Long Man 27/7/07. This is where the production crew accessed the figure on 1-2/7/07.
Soon to be repaired?
Image credit: cursuswalker
1/7/07 – Detail of peviously posted photo. The right foot of the woman climbing over the edge of the teracette seems to be scraping over bare earth.
The EH inspector noted “damage to the turf in some areas, which appears to be very recent and might have been caused during filming”
Image credit: Darren Thomas
‘Pro-hunt slogan burnt into landmark hillside‘
Evening Argus 15/9/04
Hunt supporters burned the words No Ban into grassland beside the famous Long Man of Wilmington. The 235ft downland chalk figure at Wilmington, near Eastbourne, was one of 14 countryside spots across the UK targeted by the Countryside Alliance. Round bales of hay were used to scorch the earth with 20m-high words ahead of today’s debate by MPs to outlaw hunting with dogs.
In a move designed to stoke up support for their campaign, the group sought permission from landowners before making their stand. Organiser James Hallett said East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service was notified in advance and the fire was started about ten yards left of the Long Man. He said: “This was a signal to the Government we are coming for them. They have bitten off more than they can chew this time. The Government has chosen the path of prejudice and spite. The reaction it unleashes will be its own responsibility. The lighting of the No Ban fires are our signal to this Government that we will not be beaten by such bigotry and intolerance.”
Firefighters in East Sussex received several calls from people driving along the A27 as the controlled fire was started. A fire brigade spokesman said: “Once we realised it was controlled burning, we just let it run its course and stuck around to make sure it didn’t spread.”
It is not the first time the ancient Long Man has been targeted. In July, vandals defaced the chalk figure with obscenities and anti-war slogans. A large appendage was added and slogans scrawled on the surrounding grass. However, the visual impact of the site has also been used to highlight charities and campaigns from National Hospice Month to World Sight Day.
Sussex Express 18/7/07:
THE SUSSEX Archaeological Society has apologised to protesters after they allowed a controversial stunt by ITV to give the Long Man of Wilmington a sex change.
ITV and the archaeological society caused fury among Pagans and other protesters when they allowed fashion gurus Trinny and Susannah to add breasts and pigtails to the figure many believe is sacred.
As part of the programme, Trinny and Susannah Undress, ITV asked woman dressed in white to lie on the figure to create the transformation.
Chief Executive Office of the organisation, John Manley, said: ‘The Sussex Archaeological Society would like to apologise to representatives of the Pagan community, or any other individual or groups, who might have been offended by recent television filming on the Long Man of Wilmington.
‘It was not the society’s intention to cause offence.
‘The society is proud of its curation of the Long Man.
‘In future the society will consult representatives of the Pagan community and other interested parties before sanctioning any significant activities.‘
Newell Fisher was one of the protesters against the stunt and has now helped form a campaign group, Guardians of the Long Man.
As archaeological liaison officer of that group Mr Fisher said: ‘We look forward to working with the Sussex Archaeological Society to help ensure the future welfare of the site.
‘Our confidence in their custodianship has been restored.‘
He said the protesters would continue their fight to stop the footage of the stunt being aired.
He said: ‘We are absolutely determined this footage should not be shown as we feel it will encourage anti-social behaviour on the site.
‘We heard people say they were going up there directly after the filming as the activities seem to make people think it is ok an we are extremely concerned about this.‘
Pagans protest at Trinny & Suzanna TV show
This is the You Tube video of the protest at the Long Man of Wilmington on Monday 2nd July 2007, against the stunt that involved 100+ women trampling all over the Long Man for the TV show “Trinny and Susannah Undress”
This is the information page on the Long Man of Wilmington on the Sussex Archaeological Society website.
2/7/07 – The mug shot. Will any of them ever apologise?
Image credit: cursuswalker
2/7/07 – The women coming off the Long Man. A lot of them are running down the slope. Appropriate on such a sensitive area?
Image credit: cursuswalker
2/7/07 – At last it is over. The women (with some men mixed in) return to the path.
Image credit: cursuswalker
2/7/07 – This is what it was all for. Pathetic.
Image credit: cursuswalker
2/7/07 – A security guard at the foot of the Long Man. His job, presumably, is to keep Pagans off the Long Man. Ironic, since they are the only people there who know they should not go on the figure.
Image credit: cursuswalker
2/7/07 – Grim-faced druids form a circle at the foot of the Long Man. No long shots were possible without us in them. The soil erosion sign joins us as an ally.
Image credit: cursuswalker
2/7/07 – The women take their positions on the Long Man
Image credit: cursuswalker
1/7/07 – The rehearsal for “Trinny and Susannah” on the long Man of Wilmington.
The women are lying on the concrete blocks, contrary to the agreement with the owners.
The sticks stuck into the ground by the programme makers are clearly visible. These were only removed when reported to the owners by local Pagans. There was no archaeological supervision of the site.
Image credit: Darren Thomas
1/7/07 – During the rehearsal for the following days filming for “Trinny and Susannah” a woman scrambles up the left elbow of the Long Man of Wilmington. This part of the figure is now being inspected for damage.
Sticks in the ground also clearly visible bottom left.
Image credit: Darren Thomas
2/7/07 – 80 women lie on the Long Man of Wilmington as part of a stunt for the Trinny and Susannah TV programme.
Does the sign still apply? Let’s hope so...
Image credit: cursuswalker
Great Grandfather Cursuswalker, his Niece, Daughter and half a horse at the southern edge of the Southern Inner Circle at Avebury in 1906.
I believe he is standing next to Stone 103, while the other two are sitting on the yet-to-be re-erected Stone 102.
Image credit: Rev. Sydney Smith
Chun Quoit from Chun Castle, looking West. One of the entrance stones of the Castle in the foreground. 11/8/06
Image credit: cursuswalker
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