Littlestone

In his letter to The Times (Saturday, 16 September) Mike Pitts, Editor of the British Archaeological magazine, writes –

theheritagetrust.wordpress.com/2017/09/18/we-will-learn-more-about-stonehenge/

The Irish Independent reports that -

“A dig at the Blick Mead site, just a mile from Stonehenge, near Amesbury, Wiltshire, led to the discovery of a charred toad’s leg alongside small fish vertebrate bones of trout or salmon as well as burnt aurochs’ bones (the predecessor of cows).

“According to the researchers from the University of Buckingham, the find, which dates back to between 6250BC and 7596BC, is the earliest evidence of a cooked toad or frog anywhere in the world and 8,000 years earlier than the French and even before the Czechs who recently claimed it as a traditional dish.”

More here – independent.ie/world-news/and-finally/toads-leg-found-at-blick-mead-dig-29661413.html

William Stukeley, Saviour of Stonehenge exhibition, opens tomorrow (9 June) at Hartland Abbey, Hartland, Bideford, North Devon and runs until 6 October.

Details here – hartlandabbey.co.uk/exhibition.htm and here – thisisnorthdevon.co.uk/exhibition-William-Stukeley-goes-display-Hartland/story-19271727-detail/story.html#axzz2WArN9bxi

Roy Goutte writes -

“On the 16th April I joined a working party from TCV (The Conservation Volunteers) of Cornwall to clear some of the gorse off the banked enclosure known as King Arthur’s Hall on King Arthur’s Down, a part of Bodmin Moor. Always a fascinating place to visit, the day turned out to be far more exciting than I ever imagined!”

More here – theheritagetrust.wordpress.com/2013/04/26/king-arthurs-hall-a-new-discovery/

Archaeology: A Secret History. Episode one: In the Beginning.

Reviewing in the 27 April-3 May edition of The Radio Times, Gill Crawford writes -

“Archaeology isn’t a new, rigidly scientific discipline. According to Dr Richard Miles (presenter of 2010’s Ancient Worlds), the first person to set out to dig up the past was the Emperor Constantine’s aged mother Helena, who searched the Near East in the early fourth century for physical evidence of the life and death of Christ.

“Richard Miles charts the history of archaeological breakthroughs in a mission to understand the ancient past. In the first programme [the first of three], he explores how the profession began by trying to prove a biblical truth.”

The series begins Tuesday, 30 April from 9:00-10pm on BBC4 television. More here radiotimes.com/episode/wfnkr/archaeology-a-secret-history--series-1---1-in-the-beginning

“Fears about the number of visitors a new 45-mile walking route will bring means proposed improvements to some rights of way cannot go ahead.

“As a result, a grant offer from the European Union of £27,700 for the scheme linking the World Heritage sites of Stonehenge and Avebury has been withdrawn.

“The Great Stones Way would run from the Iron Age hill fort of Barbury Castle on the Ridgeway National Trail, past the current end of the trail at Overton Hill near Avebury, along the Avon Valley to Amesbury, to end at historic Old Sarum near Salisbury.”

More here – gazetteandherald.co.uk/news/10225316.Avebury_stone_Way_hits_stumbling_block/

“Recent investigation of Skokholm by the Royal Commission using LiDAR has revealed extraordinary new details about the prehistoric and medieval occupation of this remote and beautiful Pembrokeshire island. The Commission’s own Olly Davis describes some of these recent discoveries in the fifth episode in the ITV Wales series Dream Island on Friday 19th at 8pm.”

More here – heritageofwalesnews.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/new-discoveries-reveal-hidden.html

Heritage of Wales News reports today that -

“Skokholm is a small island half a mile across located off the south western coast of Pembrokeshire, about two miles south of its larger island neighbour Skomer. Using innovative new survey techniques a small team from the Royal Commission has been investigating how people lived and farmed these Pembrokeshire islands in the past – much of the focus has recently been on Skomer, – but now, the fascinating story of Skokholm is beginning to be revealed.

“In the early twentieth century archaeologists recorded flint scatters on the island – probably the waste from the production of flint blades and scrapers by Mesolithic hunter-gatherers. But now, guided by an extraordinary new LiDAR survey of Skokholm, which uses a laser mounted on an aircraft to create a highly detailed terrain model of the island’s ground surface, we’ve been able to reveal the fields and settlements of the Iron Age and Medieval inhabitants and begin to tell their story.”

More here – heritageofwalesnews.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/new-discoveries-reveal-hidden.html

“Perhaps one of the greatest mysteries surrounding Stonehenge is the origins of the stones themselves. How did bluestones from the Welsh Preseli Mountains become the construction material for the site of Stonehenge built some 5000 years ago?

“Professor Mike Parker Pearson of University College London is leading a collaborative project involving universities from across the UK in looking at this enigma. Their work has brought them back to Preseli in search of the quarries and sites that may be the start of the longest journey for megaliths anywhere in prehistoric Europe.

“Following initial investigations in 2011 the team have returned to excavate a quarry site at Brynberian, North Pembrokeshire,

“On Tuesday 18th of September at 7pm, at Brynberian Old School, Professor Mike Parker Pearson will be presenting a talk on the results of the project so far. Everyone is welcome to attend and there will be a small charge to cover refreshments.”

Tivyside Advertiser – tivysideadvertiser.co.uk/news/9922213.Stonehenge_s_Preseli_link/

Nigel Kerton writing in the The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald today reports that -

“People who live in Avebury or who visit the village and would like to have a say about the way the village famous for its stone circles and Silbury Hill is managed, will be given an opportunity when the World Heritage Site Management Plan is updated. World Heritage Site officer Sarah Simmons said it was vitally important that those with an interest in the village were involved in revising the last management plan created in 2005.

“There will be two opportunities for the public to put forward their ideas and suggestions, at the Avebury Social centre next Tuesday. Ms Simmonds will be available to answer questions and listen to ideas at drop in sessions in the Social Centre on Avebury High Street next Tuesday between 2 -7 pm and in Marlborough Library on Monday, August 13, between 2 -7pm.”

More here – gazetteandherald.co.uk/news/9846872.Share_your_views_on_future_management_of_Avebury_World_Heritage_site/

The National Trust has announced that -

“The summer Solstice observance at Avebury is expected to be very busy and there will be limited car parking as a result. From Wednesday 20 June until mid-afternoon on Friday 22 June there will be a temporary campsite alongside the car park opening at 9am on Wednesday 20 June and closing at 2pm on Friday 22 June.

“There’ll be less than one hundred tent spaces, allocated on a first come first served basis. They are expected to be in high demand. There’ll be no camping available on the weekends either side of the Solstice.”

More here – nationaltrust.org.uk/avebury/page-1/

Lewis Cowen writing in the The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald today reports that -

TV archaeologist Julian Richards is to lead a series of walks around the World Heritage site of Avebury this summer and autumn. Dr Richards, who presented BBC’s Meet the Ancestors, is a noted expert on the archaeology of Avebury and Stonehenge and will be leading the Wessex Walks on Wednesday, June 6, Saturday, September 1, and Sunday, October 21.

The Wessex Walks are part of a programme of study days running at museums, galleries and sites all over Britain throughout 2012.

More here – gazetteandherald.co.uk/news/9730600.TV_archaeologist_Julian_Richards_to_lead_walks_around_Avebury/

“An exhibition of oil paintings and woodcuts by British landscape artist Nick Schlee, focusing on Avebury and the Ridgeway. This new exhibition features some of Nick Schlee’s most bold and vivid work portraying the ancient monument of Avebury and the nearby Ridgeway. 80 year old Nick says of the exhibition –

“More than half of the pictures in the exhibition feature those mysterious ancient stones that mean little to most of us, but must have meant a great deal to our forebears.

“Painting them, without being able to share the feelings they engendered for the people who erected them, is a problem. I can only describe their outside appearance. The spirit within is closed to me. It is as if I were recording the skin of a peach without any idea of its taste, its texture and delicious succulence.”

Venue: The Wiltshire Heritage Museum, Devizes from Saturday, 14 January to Sunday, 2 September 2012.

More here – wiltshireheritage.org.uk/events/index.php?Action=2&thID=692&prev=1

“It now appears the the Stone will be on its travels once again, although this time not across the road, but a few doors along. Diamond Geezer, one of the prolific London bloggers, has been delving into the planning application from the owners of the building where the stone now resides:”

More here – heritageaction.wordpress.com/2011/11/15/the-london-stone-on-the-move-again/

Writing in The Guardian today Caroline Davies reports that -

“Stone age toddlers may have attended a form of prehistoric nursery where they were encouraged to develop their creative skills in cave art, say archaeologists. Research indicates young children expressed themselves in an ancient form of finger-painting. And, just as in modern homes, their early efforts were given pride of place on the living room wall. A Cambridge University conference on the archaeology of childhood on Friday reveals a tantalising glimpse into life for children in the palaeolithic age, an estimated 13,000 years ago.”

More here – guardian.co.uk/science/2011/sep/30/stone-age-toddlers-art-lessons and a good pic here – telegraph.co.uk/earth/earthnews/8798392/Childrens-prehistoric-cave-paintings-discovered.html

“Visitors to Stonehenge in Wiltshire rarely experience the historic site without the rumble of traffic noise from the nearby A303. But UK researchers have managed to recreate the sound of a ritual there, as heard by our ancestors 4,000 years ago. The research – which starts in an echo-free recording chamber and uses latest computer modelling techniques – has also been used to recreate the acoustics of Coventry Cathedral before it was destroyed in World War II.”

Hearing the Past can be heard on BBC Radio 4 at 1102 BST on Monday 12 September, and on BBC iPlayer.

More here – bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-14746589

Writing in The Independent today Jack Watkins reports that -

“Jefferies grew up and, until he married aged 25, lived on a tiny farm at Coate, near Swindon. Here his father kept a small dairy herd, but while Jefferies showed little interest in helping out on the farm, he inherited his father’s love of nature, and spent his days exploring the surrounding meadows and hills, studying flora and fauna and seeking out archaeological sites, while honing the distinctive earth philosophy that elevated his work beyond mere observation.

“Today Coate farmhouse, its outbuildings and orchard, all so vividly described in his novel Amaryllis at the Fair, survive as the Richard Jefferies Museum. Beyond the ha-ha, dug by Jefferies Snr to prevent the cattle straying into the orchard, is the ancient hedgerow recognised by Jefferies in Wild Life in a Southern County as “the highway of the birds”. Over the ridge beyond is the reservoir of Coate Water, the scene for the mock battles of his children’s novel Bevis. On the skyline is Liddington Hill, crowned by an iron-age hillfort, one of the numerous tumuli of the North Wiltshire hills which the writer memorably wrote of as being “alive with the dead”. It was while lying on the slopes of Liddington Hill that Jefferies experienced the first of what he termed the “soul experiences” leading to his extraordinary autobiography, The Story of My Heart.

“Developers have been eyeing the area around Coate Water for years, however, encouraged by a general refusal of the council’s planning department to recognise Jefferies as “a major writer”. A current proposal to build 900 homes and a business park was recently rejected by councillors – stunned by the strength of an opposition campaign which has seen protest letters written in the Times Literary Supplement and a petition signed by over 52,000 people. While that rejection was the first time, says Jean Saunders, secretary of the Richard Jefferies Society, that there had been any recognition of the cultural landscape value of Coate, the developers have appealed and a public inquiry is to be held.”

Full article here – independent.co.uk/environment/nature/battle-for-jefferies-land-how-a-19thcentury-naturalist-became-a-cause-clbre-in-wiltshire-2332054.html

“Hello to all supporters of the Rollright Stones. Just to update you all on the progress at the Rollright Stones and to let you know of up and coming events.

“Since re-starting the Wardens at Easter we have been able to cover most weekends with a Warden on site for a greater part of the day which has resulted in an exceptionally positive reaction from the public who appreciate someone to be able to talk to about the monuments. This has also increased our income through the sale of pamphlets etc. Whilst we have a core of people we are still looking to expand our number of Wardens over the summer – if you are still interested in becoming involved please get in touch or come up to the Stones on a dry day and have a chat. It may be that you might prefer to help out as a volunteer, to this end we have scheduled in a ‘site clearance’ weekend on Saturday 9th & Sunday 10th July. We plan to clear the site of rubbish including the wooded areas, get rid of any barbed wire on the fences, repair some fencing by the lay-bys and any other jobs that need doing. We will supply everything from gloves to food. If you think you may be able to spare a couple of hours or more to come along , either as a Warden or a Volunteer, you will be most welcome – and it is great fun.”

Robin Smitten of The Rollright Trust

More here – heritageaction.wordpress.com/2011/06/20/a-call-for-volunteers-at-the-rollrights-stones/

Jim Leary, who led the recent archaeological investigations for English Heritage at nearby Silbury Hill, and is co-author of the recently published The Story of Silbury Hill, coordinated EH’s contribution to the investigation of Marlborough Mound, the initial results from which have been made public today.

More here – heritageaction.wordpress.com/2011/05/31/the-marlborough-mound-prehistoric-origins-confirmed/

“An exhibition of works by Rob Pountney, Dave Gunning and David Inshaw depicting the spectacular landscapes and ancient archaeological sites that feature in the novels and poems of Thomas Hardy.

“These contemporary artistic representations of Hardy’s fictionalized ‘Wessex’ are highly evocative, focusing attention on the physical and atmospheric qualities of the landscape, in much the same way that Hardy used prose to generate melodrama and set the scene in his work.”

The exhibition is on show in the Wiltshire Heritage Museum’s Art Gallery from Saturday, 28 May until Monday, 29 August 2011. More here – wiltshireheritage.org.uk/events/index.php?Action=2&thID=631&prev=1

Writing in the The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald yesterday, Lewis Cowen reports that,

“The Wiltshire Heritage Museum in Devizes has been awarded £58,200 to work on plans to create new Bronze Age galleries. The money has come from the Heritage Lottery Fund and now the museum will progress to the second stage of the HLF application process. The project will cost more than £200,000 and the museum, in Long Street, will have to contribute between £20,000 and £30,000. The new galleries will feature the rich finds from burials in the Stonehenge and Avebury World Heritage Site. The project will feature the unique gold and amber finds that define the Bronze Age Wessex culture and are currently locked away in the museum’s vaults. The most famous of these are the 4,000-year-old finds from Bush Barrow, including a gold lozenge, belt hook, stone mace and richly decorated bronze dagger. The new displays will also include objects excavated from Upton Lovell and Manton as well as recent finds from Marden Henge, near Devizes.”

More here – gazetteandherald.co.uk/news/8938471.__58_000_bronze_age_windfall_for_Wiltshire_museum/ and here – heritageaction.wordpress.com/2011/03/30/good-or-bad-news-for-wiltshire-heritage-museum/

“Stonehenge is being scanned using modern laser technology to search for hidden clues about how and why it was built. All visible faces of the standing and fallen stones, many of which are obscured by lichen, will be surveyed. Some ancient carvings have previously been found on the stones, including a famous Neolithic “dagger”. The survey is already in progress and is expected to finish by the end of March. “The surfaces of the stones of Stonehenge hold fascinating clues to the past,” said English Heritage archaeologist Dave Batchelor. The team will be looking for ancient “rock art”, but also for more modern graffiti, in a comprehensive survey of the site.”

More here – bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-12688085 and here – english-heritage.org.uk/about/news/stonehenge-in-high-definition/

And a video here – youtube.com/watch?v=qxAnanfB_rg

“Throughout his career as an artist, Paul Nash (1889-1946) had a special affinity for the wooded hills in South Oxfordshire called The Wittenham Clumps.

“First encountering them in his late teenage years, he was immediately caught by their atmospheric shapes and mystical associations. The Clumps became a rich source of inspiration for him and he returned to paint them many times during his life.”

More here – nashclumps.org/index.html

...but how?

Reporting for BBC News Wales, Neil Prior writes -

“New research has cast fresh doubt on the journey which the Stonehenge Bluestones took from Pembrokeshire to the site of the pagan monument. Since the 1920s, geologists have strongly suspected that the ‘spotted dolerite’ Bluestones, which form Stonehenge’s inner ring, originated from Mynydd Preseli in the north of the county. However, whilst the new findings have also linked a second type of stone – rhyolites – to the area, they call into question how the stones arrived in Wiltshire.”

More here – bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-12544924

Writing in the Observer today, Laura Cumming reports on the Watercolour exhibition now showing at Tate Britain and running until the 21 August.

The exhibition includes a watercolour of The Vale of the White Horse (circa 1939) by Eric Ravilious. Something, “...conjured entirely out of cross-hatchings, strokes, dabs and striations of faint colour, frail contour against pale line, with the white page breathing airily in between, is almost nothing, a see-through dream. But it is uniquely strange, starting in reality and ending in its own radiant elsewhere.”

More here – guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/2011/feb/20/watercolour-tate-britain-review-cumming

“This project will provide a united historic environment research agenda and strategy for the Avebury and Stonehenge World Heritage Site. The two parts of the World Heritage Site currently have separate research frameworks that were created at different times and in different formats. The project will update and harmonise the existing frameworks to create a single research framework comprising a resource assessment and a single research strategy with a five-year currency.”

More here – wessexarch.co.uk/projects/wiltshire/stonehenge-avebury-rrf

The National Trust will be holding an Avebury Landscape Photography Workshop on Saturday, 26 March 2011.

“Professional photographer Mark Philpott will help you look at landscapes in an exciting new way. Learn how to get the best from your camera and be inspired by the Avebury landscape, its stone circle, cosy cottages, fine church and ancient trees.”

More here – nationaltrust.org.uk/event-search-2/events/show?id=2108046427&direct=1

This an opportunity to learn more about Fyfield Down (Site of Special Scientific Interest) with Peter Keene, formerly senior lecturer in geomorphology at Oxford Brooks University.

“The ability to ‘read’ landscapes or to have ‘an eye for the country’ adds a new dimension to our appreciation of our surroundings. On this walk, from Avebury via Overton Down to Clatford Bottom across the Fyfield SSSI we shall learn through discussion and investigation of the evidence that is observable in the field how the landscape, with its layers of chalk, sarsen rocks, streams and dry valleys, evolved in this part of the Marlborough Downs.”

The walk begins in Avebury at 10:30am on Saturday, 16 July 2011. More here – wiltshireheritage.org.uk/events/index.php?Action=2&thID=607&prev=1

Laura Barton, writing in the Guardian yesterday, reports on the route of the high-speed rail link that -

“At stake, too, is the preservation of the Ridgeway, Britain’s oldest road — a pathway followed since prehistoric times by herdsmen, travellers and soldiers, running from Wiltshire, along the chalk ridge of the Berkshire Downs and on to the River Thames at the Goring Gap. It passes the stone circle at Avebury and the White Horse at Uffington, as well as Grim’s Ditch, Wayland’s Smithy and Barbury castle. It runs, too, right down Wendover high street, past the clock tower, built in 1842 and now repurposed as the visitor centre, then out towards Wendover woods. There is an ancient feel to this land, something rich and deep and solemn.”

More here – guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/dec/20/heartache-over-high-speed-railway

Not to be confused with the Woodhenge discovered in 1925 (see english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/woodhenge/ ) this Woodhenge was only discovered in July of this year. It “...was hailed as one of the most important archaeological finds for decades. But now experts are at loggerheads after claims that what was thought to be a Neolithic temple was a rather more humble affair – in fact the remains of a wooden fence.”

More here – heritageaction.wordpress.com/2010/12/12/woodhenge-just-a-farmers-fence/

All ready mentioned elsewhere but -

“...the curious story of Julian Cope, former Smash Hits cover star, practising druid and great British eccentric, is set to be turned into a feature film. David Morrissey, the award-winning actor, has secured the film rights to Head On, Cope’s autobiography.

“A student of pagan ritual, Cope’s most surprising career shift has been his emergence as an acclaimed expert on Britain’s prehistoric stone circles; his book, The Modern Antiquarian, sold 40,000 copies, was adapted as a BBC documentary and prompted an invitation to lecture at the British Museum.”

More here – independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/from-smash-hits-to-stone-circles-julian-copes-life-to-be-filmed-2103180.html

(Can we hope for a private viewing party ;-)

“LEADING experts on Stonehenge will be gathering in Salisbury to debate the monument’s purpose next weekend. The event, called Solving Stonehenge, is part of Salisbury & South Wiltshire Museum’s 150th anniversary conference on October 2 and 3. The main speakers will be Professor Tim Darvill, Professor Mike Parker Pearson, Mike Pitts and Julian Richards. The debate will be chaired by Andrew Lawson.”

More here -
salisburyjournal.co.uk/news/8407609.Experts_gather_to_gather_for_Stonehenge_debate/

“The largest exhibition of John Constable work, ever exhibited in Wiltshire, is heading to Salisbury next summer.

“To mark the 200th anniversary of the artist’s first visit to the city, the Salisbury and Wiltshire museum is hosting a multi-million pound exhibition of his paintings of Salisbury Cathedral, the city and Stonehenge.”

More here – news.bbc.co.uk/local/wiltshire/hi/people_and_places/arts_and_culture/newsid_9006000/9006303.stm

“The gateway to the Avebury World Heritage Site has been transformed after work to bury unsightly electricity cables was completed…”

“The project, which started over three years ago, was made possible by a partnership involving Wiltshire Council, the National Trust, North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding National Beauty, English Heritage and local farmers. Funding for the work was provided by Scottish and Southern Electricity…”

“The new cables have been buried underneath the major monuments at Overton Hills Seven Barrows Bronze Age barrow cemetery and beneath the Neolithic West Kennet Avenue which originally linked Avebury Stone Circle to the Sanctuary.

“Scottish and Southern Electricity employed archaeologists to examine all the entry and exit points for the moleing machinery to check for any archaeological remains.

“Their work has been monitored by Dr Nick Snashall, National Trust archaeologist who said: “A major eyesore has been eliminated from the World Heritage Site with the removal or these power cables, bringing the landscape closer to its ancient appearance. We’ve also been able to record all the archaeology found during the works, which adds to our story of the development of Avebury.“”

More here – wiltshire.gov.uk/latestnews.htm?aid=107488&utm_source=Wiltshire+Council&utm_medium=twitter&utm_content=News

“According to the Salisbury Journal the project might go ahead – but not till 2013.

“The newspaper says that on Thursday English Heritage project development manager Martin Harvey updated councillors and members of the public on progress made and quotes him as saying “If all goes well with the remainder of this year, we believe we can still start work on the site in 2012 and open for business the following year.“”

More here –
heritageaction.wordpress.com/2010/09/06/stonehenge-visitors-centre-to-go-ahead-but-not-till-after-the-olympics/

“BARRIERS installed along Britain’s oldest road have helped cut poaching and hare-coursing, according to police.

“Oxfordshire County Council installed the temporary barriers between Hill Road, Lewknor and Hill Road, Watlington, on the Ridegway National Trail. And they have already seen results with a drop in crime. The blocks were fitted in April to stop poachers, harecoursers and deer stalkers in cars accessing the track, known as the Icknield Way, and to stop thieves driving to isolated farm buildings.

“The pre-historic Ridgeway track runs from Avebury, Wiltshire, to Ivinghoe near Dunstable, across South Oxfordshire.”

More here – oxfordmail.co.uk/news/8356258.Barriers_keep_crime_off_the_Ridgeway/

See also – heritageaction.wordpress.com/2010/02/14/avebury-is-not-dudley/

Field trip to the English Heritage archaeological excavation near Silbury Hill, Wiltshire and the Alexander Keiller Museum, Avebury.

Wednesday 1 September 2010.
10.30am – 4pm.

“The Icon Archaeological Group field trip will be visiting a research excavation being undertaken by the Archaeological Projects team at English Heritage. The excavation is evaluation the recently revealed Romano-British settlement located in the fields surrounding Silbury Hill. The day will include a guided tour of the excavation by the project manager as well as the opportunity to hear about the recent Silbury Hill conservation project.

“In the afternoon the field trip will move on to the site of Avebury and a guided tour of the Alexander Keiller Museum.

“A buffet lunch will be provided at the Red Lion Pub, Avebury.”

More here – icon.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1284&Itemid=16

“HISTORIANS are probing links between an ancient dugout canoe discovered on the banks of the Boyne and the landmark Newgrange site.

“The canoe, which has an unusual design and is believed to be unique in Ireland, was yesterday removed from the river by experts from the National Museum.”

More here – independent.ie/national-news/anglers-catch-ancient-canoe-in-the-boyne-2234534.html

And here – heritageaction.wordpress.com/2010/06/30/dugout-canoe-found-on-the-river-boyne/

The Wiltshire Heritage Museum is conducting a survey for a pilot, “...community bus service that will link Stonehenge, Devizes and Avebury.” Results from the survey will help them plan the service.

More here – wiltshireheritage.org.uk/news/?Action=8&id=105&home=1

The new Stonehenge Visitors’ Center is one of the first projects to fall victim of Government’s cutbacks.

More here – heritageaction.wordpress.com/2010/06/17/stonehenge-visitors-centre-axed/

Moving Stone through the Ages: Carl Wark Hillfort and the Burbage Quarries.

“A walk taking in quarries, iron smelting a prehistoric cainfield and the enigmatic Carl Wark Hillfort.”

Wednesday, 21 July. 10:30-16:00. Meet at the pay and display car park, west of Upper Burbage Ridge. Up-to-date information on 01626 816200.

An introduction to the three monuments of Men-an-Tol, Men Scryfa, and the Nine Maidens by guide Adrian Rodda on Thursday, 22 July.
Meet at the car park at 11:00 and follow the signs to the monuments.

Organised by the Cornwall Archaeological Society. Up-to-date information on 01872 572725.

“A guided tour around Barbury Castle and along the Ridgeway to Hackpen Hill White Horse to discover some of the archaeology of the Marlborough Downs.”

Meet at Barbury Castle on Saturday, 31 July at 14:00 (walk lasts until approx. 17:00). Up-to-date info from Wiltshire Council on 01249 705504.

National Trust experts will, “…lead you on a half-day journey of discovery through this very special landscape.”

Meet outside the Barn Gallery on Tuesday, 20 July and Thursday, 22 July 2010 at 10:00.

The West Kennet Avenue at Avebury. Photo by Heritage Action member Jim Mitchell, one of the winners in this year’s National Trust competition for photographs of Avebury.

Photo here -
heritageaction.wordpress.com/2010/05/30/avebury-photo-competition/

And here -
themodernantiquarian.com/img_fullsize/76270.jpg

(Well done Jim :-)

Wiltshire Heritage Museum will be organising an outing to the Rollright Stone Circle on Saturday, 7 August 2010. The outing will be led by David Dawson, Director of the Wiltshire Archaeological & Natural History Society.

More here – wiltshireheritage.org.uk/events/index.php?Action=2&thID=530&prev=1
And here -
heritageaction.wordpress.com/2010/05/18/outing-to-the-rollright-stones/

Lecture. Museum of London, Tuesday, 13 April. 6.30-8pm. Free.

“John Clark has recently retired from a long and distinguished career as Senior Curator (Medieval) at the Museum of London. In this talk he investigates the strange history of London Stone, the mysterious block of limestone that currently sits, ignored by passers-by, in an alcove in the wall of a building opposite Cannon Street Station.”

More here – heritageaction.wordpress.com/2010/03/17/london-stone-making-a-myth-3/

“Its footpaths are “tortuous”, the roof likely to “channel wind and rain” and its myriad columns – meant to evoke a forest – are incongruous with the vast landscape surrounding it.”

“So says the government’s design ­watchdog over plans for a controversial £20m visitor centre at Stonehenge, the megalithic jewel in England’s cultural crown. CABE, the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment, has criticised the design of the proposed centre, claiming the futuristic building by Denton Corker Marshall does little to enhance the 5,000-year-old standing stones which attract more than 800,000 visitors each year.”

More here – guardian.co.uk/culture/2010/feb/07/stonehenge-city-garden-visitor-centre

A survey of the Stonehenge landscape suggests the monument was surrounded by two circular hedges.

Writing in the Guardian yesterday, Maeve Kennedy reports on the startling evidence of a Great Stonehenge Hedge. “Inevitably dubbed Stonehedge, the evidence from a new survey of the Stonehenge landscape suggests that 4,000 years ago the world’s most famous prehistoric monument was surrounded by two circular hedges, planted on low concentric banks.”

More here – guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/feb/04/stonehenge-hedge-discovery

“On Tuesday night, February 2, Wiltshire’s ancient stone monument was taken over by a film crew...”

More here – news.bbc.co.uk/local/wiltshire/hi/people_and_places/arts_and_culture/newsid_8496000/8496057.stm