Beltane at Thornborough

On Saturday May 1st 2004 there will be a celebration of the ancient festival of Beltane at Thornborough Henge. Meet at 2pm in the afternoon at the central Henge. Obviously this entails trespassing on Tarmac's land, but we feel this is entirely justified given the purpose for which Tarmac has acquired the Henges. The central Henge itself is easily accessible from a nearby road across a few feet of open ground.

Guests are invited to dress colourfully, as befits the occasion, and musicians are especially welcome. For more information please contact:

oliverhazelfurniture.co.uk

I have also being asked to mention the Peculiar Vision dance festival in the nearby village of Masham also taking place on the Mayday weekend. More details here:

 http://www.mashamshire.com

Let's make it a Beltane to remember!

It transpired at the Easter weekend that Tarmac now own the central and southern Henges of the triple Henge complex at Thornborough. Tarmac is the quarry company whose plans for bulk gravel extraction threatens the sacred landscape that surrounds this historic monument. It seems clear that they intend to press ahead with these destructive proposals despite overwhelming opposition from archaeologists and local people.

Facts about Thornborough Henge

Thornborough Henge is the only triple Henge monument in the world.

The three Henges at Thornborough are part of a wider ritual landscape consisting of six Henges and including three great standing stones at nearby Boroughbridge.

Thornborough is the oldest known monument in the world to be aligned with the three stars of Orion's belt. The Great Pyramids of Egypt are also arranged in this pattern.

The Henges are 5000 yrs old and were in continuous use for 1000 yrs, attracting pilgrims from all corners of Britain.

The existing quarry at Thornborough has already destroyed 200 separate archaeological features. Tarmac will be applying for planning permission to quarry further into the Henge area sometime after March 2004.

Sacred Landscape Under Threat

The Thornborough Henges, near Ripon in Yorkshire, are a unique complex of three massive bronze-age circular monuments. One of the largest earth moving operations in pre-historic Europe, the henges are comparable to Westminster, York and Canterbury Cathedrals being built in a single location. For such a project to have been undertaken indicates that, at the very least, Thornborough was the spiritual capital of Northern England. In use for over a millennium, this 5000 year old site is now under threat of ruin.

Tarmac propose to carry out bulk gravel extraction right up to the perimeter of the henges. This will destroy areas of known archeology, including the ceremonial causeway that served as the entrance to the southern most henge. Post hole alignments, that pepper the surrounding landscape, and may hold the key to Thornboroughs' astronomical significance will be lost forever. The impact of the quarrying will effectively create henge islands, a hideous disfigurement of this ritual landscape.

The movement to save the Thornborough Henges has already begun, with 98% of local people signing a petition organised by the 'Friends of Thornborough' campaign group. These determined locals are now appealing to anyone who feels passionately about defending this spiritual landscape to join their fight. To learn more about the Henges and the proposed quarry plans, visit their website:

 http://www.friendsofthornborough.org

Better still, make a pilgrimage to this wonderful and mysterious site. The local area also boasts three giant 5,000 year old monoliths, known as the 'Devils Arrows', at the nearby town of Boroughbridge. A more recent addition to the landscape is a 228ft high white horse, created from limestone in 1857, on the hillside at Kilburn. In June 2003 a rare northern cropcircle appeared in a field immediately adjacent to the central henge. A sign perhaps?

oops, that contact should read
oliver atnospam hazelfurniture.co.uk

The picture shows the quarying threat to Thornborough Henge. The yellow area is an existing landfill site owned by North Yorkshire County Council. The red area is the possible quarry site, based on a discussion document produced by the quarry company Tarmac.