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<< Our Photo Pages >> Priddy Circles S - Henge in England in Somerset

Submitted by TheCaptain on Wednesday, 25 February 2015  Page Views: 33699

Neolithic and Bronze AgeSite Name: Priddy Circles S Alternative Name: Priddy Circle 1
Country: England County: Somerset Type: Henge
Nearest Town: Wells  Nearest Village: Priddy
Map Ref: ST53945255  Landranger Map Number: 182
Latitude: 51.270229N  Longitude: 2.66162W
Condition:
5Perfect
4Almost Perfect
3Reasonable but with some damage
2Ruined but still recognisable as an ancient site
1Pretty much destroyed, possibly visible as crop marks
0No data.
-1Completely destroyed
3 Ambience:
5Superb
4Good
3Ordinary
2Not Good
1Awful
0No data.
3 Access:
5Can be driven to, probably with disabled access
4Short walk on a footpath
3Requiring a bit more of a walk
2A long walk
1In the middle of nowhere, a nightmare to find
0No data.
4 Accuracy:
5co-ordinates taken by GPS or official recorded co-ordinates
4co-ordinates scaled from a detailed map
3co-ordinates scaled from a bad map
2co-ordinates of the nearest village
1co-ordinates of the nearest town
0no data
4

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Priddy Circles S
Priddy Circles S submitted by TheCaptain : Another view from further down the road of the now cut Priddy South ring. How on Earth can something like this happen in this day and age? (Vote or comment on this photo)
Southern of the three main Priddy Circles, which are an arrangement of four circular earthwork enclosures near Priddy. The circles are described as 'probable Neolithic ritual or ceremonial monuments similar to a henge'. The circles, each nearly 200m across, are best seen from the air.

From Somerset HER site No 24042.

Southernmost of the four Priddy circles. Excavations in 1956-9 in the NW quadrant revealed that the bank had a stone core with a ring of post-holes on each side. The posts had been of 8" diameter and about 10ft high with stakes between them, apparently erected prior to the ditch, whose upcast was added to the bank probably leaving the posts projecting at least 4-6ft above the earth top. A causewayed entrance was proved for the circle in the NNE sector. Central area was devoid of any structure and no finds were made. {1}

Belongs to the secondary Neolithic and fall into the Henge group of monuments, class 2. Banks average 1m high and the ditch is 0.4m deep. {4}

Bank at best 7m wide and nearly 2m high, interior area flat and about 1m above the surrounding fields. Divided ownership marked by stone wall running NNW-SSE. Part on the W has never been ploughed but is somewhat cut about by old mine workings. On the S the bank is not well preserved. On the E the interior of the circle has been ploughed at some time but the bank is untouched. Some evidence of the stone construction of the bank is visible at some points. Few thorn and gorse bushes on the E side. {5}

Ploughing of centre and surrounding area but not bank in 1984-5. {6}

The interior of the E part of the circle has been ploughed again this spring. One quite large stone has been disinterred and added to the bank. {7}

Many of the surface depressions in and around the Priddy Circles are natural sinkholes, not mine workings as had been assumed. Unsatisfactory ground conditions (the ground remained liable to subsidence) may have been one of the factors that led to the abandonment of the whole ceremonial site before the circles were completed. {10}

See PRN 90072 for inconclusive geophysical survey and discussion. {12}

The monument is basically stable under pasture but there are areas of scrub, nettle, bracken etc growth on the banks. {13}

Management agreement between English Heritage and the owner from 5/3/2004 until 5/3/2007 for part of the monument. {15}

Two photographs in the HER files show a couple of shallow trenches (approx 2m long, 0.5m wide and 0 .3m deep) dug during for the construction of a horse jump in January 1986. No archaeological features or artefacts are apparent. Location is given as ST53955255 {16}

The southernmost of the four Priddy Circles, centred at ST 5395 5255 and described above in was mapped and recorded as part of a survey of aerial photographs and Lidar in the Mendip AONB.

Priddy Circles are thought to be henge monuments dating to the Neolithic and were possibly used for a ceremonial or ritual purpose.

This circle is the southernmost of a group of three, 60m southwest of the next circle to the north (PRN 24043).

The circle measures 192m in diameter. The northern half of the circle is defined by a bank with an external ditch. The southwest quadrant is defined by a single bank and the southeast quadrant is defined by a double bank.

The banks measure up to 9m in width and the ditches measure up to 6m in width.

There are gaps or entrances to the north measuring 19m, the southeast measuring 26m, the south measuring 21m, and the west measuring 36m. These gaps in the circle may have been part of the construction or may have been caused by disturbances to the earthworks. Areas of quarrying or sink holes are located immediately to the west and east of the circle (PRNs 19157and 19114). A quarry pit is located within the gap to the southeast of the circle. {17}

References:
1 Excavation report - Proceedings of the University of Bristol Spelaeological Society Taylor, C and Tratman, E.K 1956 "The Priddy Circles..." vol 8(1), 7-17
2 Mention - Secretary's Report: Archaeology Proceedings of the University of Bristol Spelaeological Society 1960 vol 9 (2), 64
3 Excavation report - Tratman, E.KThe Priddy...Henge Monument Proceedings of the University of Bristol Spelaeological Society (1966) vol 11(2), 97-125
4 Detailed records - Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division 1966 ST55SW4 (SCC Planning Department)
5 Detailed records - HBMC Field Monument Wardens report (SCC Planning Department)
6 Personal communication - Dennison, E Somerset County Council 12.09.85
7 Detailed records - HBMC Field Monument Wardens report (SCC Planning Department)
8 Aerial photographs - Slide (SCC Planning Department) 2.040.0004
9 Map - HBMC Field Monument Wardens report (SCC Planning Department)
10 Detailed records - Stanton, WI Natural sinkholes...Priddy Circles..." . Proceedings of the University of Bristol Spelaeological Society vol 17(3) (1986), 355-8
11 Correspondence - English Heritage to Somerset County Council (7.2.1997) in HER files
12 Personal communication - Webster, CJ SMRO (14/12/1998)
13 Site visit report - Graham, A. EH field Monument Warden (25/7/2000) report in HER files
14 Personal communication - Matthew Nicholas, Somerset County Council (7/7/2003)
15 Correspondence - English Heritage to Somerset County Council (23/7/2004)
16 Photographs - two colour photos SCC (1986) Copy in HER Files
17 Aerial photographs - RAF 3G/TUD/UK/25 5342-3 14-JAN-1946 in National Monuments Record


Much of the southern circle was in very fine condition up until 2000, with most of its ditch and bank features finely preserved and easily seen, from both the air and the ground.

However, in June 2011, I can now confirm that part of the field containing much of the southern, and perhaps most well preserved of the three main Priddy Circles has been bulldozed and flattened, including the southwestern arc of the circle.

Trying to look on the bright side, it would seem that only about a third of the circle has been destroyed.

Note: Priddy Circles damage due to be reinstated following archaeological work, see the latest comment on our page
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Priddy Circles S
Priddy Circles S submitted by TheCaptain : Here, I have borrowed JJ's picture, and marked in the area which I reckon has recently been bulldozed flat. Criminal. (2 comments - Vote or comment on this photo)

Priddy Circles S
Priddy Circles S submitted by Bladup : Priddy Circles S, The bank at the Northern Part of the circle looking West. (Vote or comment on this photo)

Priddy Circles S
Priddy Circles S submitted by Bladup : Priddy Circles S, The Eastern side looking South East. (Vote or comment on this photo)

Priddy Circles S
Priddy Circles S submitted by Bladup : The barrow by the road just to the South of the henge, Idiots built the wall. (Vote or comment on this photo)

Priddy Circles S
Priddy Circles S submitted by Bladup : Priddy Circles S, Northern Part of the circle looking West. (Vote or comment on this photo)

Priddy Circles S
Priddy Circles S submitted by theCaptain : October 2013, and nothing at all has been done to repair the bulldozed Priddy southern circle, but the barrow in the corner of the field has had a gert big wall built over the top of it. (1 comment)

Priddy Circles S
Priddy Circles S submitted by AngieLake : Looking over the wall to right of gate; a building site to east of this field and man making drystone wall to my right. (2 comments)

Priddy Circles S
Priddy Circles S submitted by AngieLake : Looking across the field where Priddy S is situated, from the gate or nearby wall to its left. A building site to the east of here, and someone making a drystone wall to my right.

Priddy Circles S
Priddy Circles S submitted by postman : Just weeks before the wanton carnage visited upon this, one of the rarest of England's jewels.

Priddy Circles S
Priddy Circles S submitted by theCaptain : Pictured 2 October 2011, and the field of the southern circle now has electrical fencing and sheep within it, but more worryingly, a dirty great muddy vehicular trackway across the field, right through what remains of the southern circle. (1 comment)

Priddy Circles S
Priddy Circles S submitted by theCaptain : Pictured 2 October 2011, and the field of the southern circle now has electrical fencing and sheep within it, but more worryingly, a dirty great muddy vehicular trackway across the field, right through what remains of teh southern circle. (3 comments)

Priddy Circles S
Priddy Circles S submitted by TheCaptain : A view from the field boundaries at the northern edge of Priddy South Circle. What we can see here is the western arc of the circle under the ferns across the now bulldozed field. At least this part has been left untouched. I first got permission from Castle Farm to go into their fields to have a look at the circles. I was then able to have a close look at the southern and central cir...

Priddy Circles S
Priddy Circles S submitted by TheCaptain : A view from the field boundaries at the northern edge of Priddy South Circle. What we can see here is the northwestern arc of the circle curving away to the west then south. I first got permission from Castle Farm to go into their fields to have a look at the circles. I was then able to have a close look at the southern and central circles.

Priddy Circles S
Priddy Circles S submitted by TheCaptain : A view of the eastern arc of bank of Priddy South Circle, seen curving away to the east then north. Having got permission from Castle Farm to go into their fields to have a look at the circles, I was able to have a close look at the southern and central circles.

Priddy Circles S
Priddy Circles S submitted by TheCaptain : A view of the eastern bank of Priddy South Circle, seen curving away to the south then west. Having got permission from Castle Farm to go into their fields to have a look at the circles, I was able to have a close look at the southern and central circles. Again notice the large stones within and on the bank.

Priddy Circles S
Priddy Circles S submitted by TheCaptain : Having got permission from Castle Farm to go into their fields to have a look at the circles, I was able to have a close look at the southern and central circles. This is part of the eastern bank of Priddy South Circle, seen curving away to the north then west. Note the large piles of rubble at the left of the picture, where the circle moves into the next field to the west.

Priddy Circles S
Priddy Circles S submitted by TheCaptain : Having got permission from Castle Farm to go into their fields to have a look at the circles, I was able to have a close look at the southern and central circles. This is part of the eastern bank of Priddy South Circle, seen curving away to the south then west.

Priddy Circles S
Priddy Circles S submitted by TheCaptain : Having got permission from Castle Farm to go into their fields to have a look at the circles, I was able to have a close look at the southern and central circles. This is part of the eastern bank of Priddy South Circle. I was a bit surprised at the amount of large stones in and on the bank. Was the bank made up of stones, or is it just more recent field clearance?

Priddy Circles S
Priddy Circles S submitted by TheCaptain : Priddy South Circle seen here looking to the west from the B3134. The bank around the eastern part of the ring can clearly be seen from here.

Priddy Circles S
Priddy Circles S submitted by TheCaptain

Priddy Circles S
Priddy Circles S submitted by TheCaptain

Priddy Circles S
Priddy Circles S submitted by TheCaptain : A zoomed in view of the cut through southeastern bank of Priddy S circle

Priddy Circles S
Priddy Circles S submitted by TheCaptain : The lady at Castle Farm let me into their fields to look at the circles close up, and walk around them. This is the devastating view from the southeastern arc of the southern circle, at the boundary of their land, looking westwards into the field by Harptree Lodge. The Circle has gone. The ditch filled in and the bank demolished. I remember viewing the circle here many years ago, havin... (1 comment)

Priddy Circles S
Priddy Circles S submitted by TheCaptain : Zooming in, we can see that at the field edge, the bank of the ancient henge has been completely cut through. And with the ditch filled, absolutely nothing of the ancient henge now remains in this field.

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Nearby sites listing. In the following links * = Image available
 250m NNE 16° Priddy Circles C* Henge (ST54015279)
 257m NNE 13° Priddy Circles* Henge (ST54005280)
 493m NNE 17° Priddy Circles N* Henge (ST54095302)
 502m S 184° Ashen Hill Barrows* Barrow Cemetery (ST53905205)
 578m E 89° Castle Farm Long Barrow* Long Barrow (ST54525255)
 1.0km NNE 15° Priddy Circles Unfinished N* Henge (ST54215355)
 1.1km S 181° Priddy Nine Barrows* Barrow Cemetery (ST53925149)
 1.6km N 352° Pool Farm Cist* Rock Art (ST53745415)
 1.8km SW 229° Priddy Church Barrows* Barrow Cemetery (ST526514)
 1.8km SSE 162° Fair Lady Well* Holy Well or Sacred Spring (ST54515079)
 2.3km NNW 338° Wright's Piece barrows (N)* Barrow Cemetery (ST531547)
 2.3km NNW 327° Wright's Piece barrows (S)* Barrow Cemetery (ST527545)
 2.6km WSW 249° Townsend Farm Barrow Cemetery* Barrow Cemetery (ST5152851658)
 3.0km WSW 236° Priddy long barrow* Long Barrow (ST5141550915)
 3.0km W 269° Cheddar Head Stone Circle (ST509525)
 3.1km WSW 253° Bristol Plain Farm Barrow Cemetery* Barrow Cemetery (ST5097951665)
 3.1km SE 141° Hunter's Lodge Inn Barrow* Round Barrow(s) (ST559501)
 3.2km NNW 327° Whites Town Farm Tumulus* Round Barrow(s) (ST5223355265)
 3.4km SE 144° Drove Cottage Henge* Henge (ST559498)
 3.7km NNW 342° Fernhill Farm* Modern Stone Circle etc (ST52865606)
 3.8km SW 234° Westbury-Sub-Mendip Cave or Rock Shelter (ST50855036)
 4.3km SSW 209° Deerleap Stones* Standing Stones (ST51804876)
 4.5km NW 315° Nordrach Tumulus* Round Barrow(s) (ST5078755765)
 4.5km SSE 148° Pen Hill Longbarrow* Long Barrow (ST563487)
 4.6km S 189° Wookey Hole Caves* Cave or Rock Shelter (ST53194801)
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"Priddy Circles S" | Login/Create an Account | 67 News and Comments
  
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Re: Priddy Circles S by Anonymous on Saturday, 04 March 2017
Want to be amazed at the 'repair' achieved so far at Priddy Circle 1? Please view Google Maps or Google Earth satellite imagerey dated 15th August 2016 (the latest it is believed) for the site.
[ Reply to This ]
    Re: Priddy Circles S by TheCaptain on Saturday, 04 March 2017
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    If you are looking at what I am seeing, it looks like some cartoon mammoth shaped race track made all over it - with no signs of any repairs
    [ Reply to This ]
      Re: Priddy Circles S by Anonymous on Saturday, 04 March 2017
      There are signs of racing lines cutting some of the corners, in a clockwise direction. It is a race track.
      [ Reply to This ]

Priddy Circle 1, Somerset Archaeological Evaluation Report by Andy B on Saturday, 03 December 2016
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Priddy Circle 1, Somerset Archaeological Evaluation Report by Jim Leary and Ruth Pelling

This report sets out the work undertaken as an archaeological evaluation at Priddy Circle 1, to help determine the extent of surviving in-situ archaeological deposits and features following landowner damage in parts of the enclosure. The evaluation was intended to assist the design of further mitigation works (Gibson 2015) aimed to offset
this damage.

https://www.academia.edu/30230387/Priddy_Circle_1_Somerset._Archaeological_Evaluation_Report (free registration required)
[ Reply to This ]

Re: Priddy Circles S by Anonymous on Saturday, 16 May 2015
I note that English Heritage has no interest in this site; when I phoned the main office to ask why the damage had not been repaired I was told it was nothing to do with them and they had no power to make the repairs or make anyone else d the repairs in effect such sites have no protection.



When I enquired if they would take the same stance with regards to Stonehenge they got very aggressive Apparently that is different as that site is important and it makes a lot of money!

[ Reply to This ]

Re: Priddy Circles S by TheCaptain on Tuesday, 24 February 2015
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Latest statement from English Heritage concerning the repair of Priddy Circles.

ENGLISH HERITAGE PRESS STATEMENT – Priddy Circle 1

“Given the national and international significance of the Priddy Circles, English Heritage felt it important that the damage caused to the monument should not be repaired without some archaeological investigation taking place. Therefore, a programme archaeological work was designed by English Heritage, focusing on the parts of the monument that had been either been damaged or disturbed. The work was commissioned to run alongside the evaluation phase of the reinstatement works, which was necessary to inform decisions on whether to restore areas of the circle that had been subject to earthmoving.

see the rest here

[ Reply to This ]

Priddy Circles Damage by Anonymous on Tuesday, 25 November 2014
I have visited this site on and off for over 40 years, so know it well.

It still amazes me that the family that deliberately bulldozed the site
has in effect got away with their illegal actions. In my opinion the
fine was a joke far to small. This was no accident.

I am also dismayed at the length of time it has taken for the site to
be 'repaired'. It is still in a worst state than it was some years ago.

It appears that because its off the beaten track and not a No 1 tourist
attraction i.e. no standing stones, the status of this site remains
very low.
[ Reply to This ]

Re: Priddy Circles S by juamei on Monday, 13 January 2014
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English Heritage update on the Priddy repairs

PRIDDY CIRCLE 1 – STATEMENT ON ARCHAEOLOGICAL MITIGATION AND REINSTATEMENT

BACKGROUND

In May 2011, large-scale unauthorised damage took place on one of the four Priddy Circles, a group of large, circular earthworks of prehistoric date which are protected as Scheduled Monuments. In October 2012, following a prosecution brought by English Heritage, the owner of Priddy Circle 1, Mr Penny, pleaded guilty to carrying out the unauthorised works. He agreed to pay for repairs to the monument and other mitigation works at a cost of around £38,000. He was also fined £2,500 by Taunton Crown Court and ordered to pay costs of £7,500.

The circle is designated and protected under the Ancient Monuments & Archaeological Areas Act 1979 and under this legislation it is a criminal offence to undertake works to a Scheduled Monument without the consent of the Secretary State (known as Scheduled Monument Consent).

In addition to a substantial fine and costs, Mr Penny signed a Voluntary Agreement committing him to funding a package of ‘reinstatement’ works, the detail of which was to be approved by English Heritage. Although we argued that some archaeological investigation should be an important part of an overall package of restorative justice works, the court was clear that the focus of the work funded by Mr Penny should be on aspects of physical reinstatement as opposed to archaeological investigation of the damaged areas.

ENGLISH HERITAGE PRESS STATEMENT

Given the national and international significance of the Priddy Circles, English Heritage felt it important that the damage caused to the monument should not be repaired without some archaeological investigation taking place. Therefore, a programme archaeological work was designed by English Heritage, focusing on the parts of the monument that had been either been damaged or disturbed. The work was commissioned to run alongside the evaluation phase of the reinstatement works, which was necessary to inform decisions on whether to restore areas of the circle that had been subject to earthmoving.

Over Spring and Summer of this year, English Heritage, together with archaeological contractors AC Archaeology, undertook a programme of assessment and evaluation, including a geophysical survey of the damaged parts of the site. The results of this work helped in the design of an archaeological excavation which was carried out in September and October 2013, and focused on an area of deep wheel-rutting caused by the creation of a track way through the site during the unauthorised works.

The fieldwork is now completed and post-excavation analysis and recording are currently underway, including the use of specialist scientific dating techniques by English Heritage at our laboratory in Portsmouth. The results will be published in due course, and it is hoped they will advance our knowledge and understanding of this rare and early monument type, in addition to helping inform management decisions for the Priddy Circles and similar monuments elsewhere.

The final part of the reinstatement works is due to take place early in the New Year, when some reconstruction of the bulldozed circle bank will take place. This is a limited piece of work with two objectives – firstly, to restore some of the form and legibility of the circle and secondly to cover over and protect important Neolithic archaeology which had been left exposed by the damage. When this work is completed, Mr Penny’s obligations under the Voluntary Agreement will have been met and the Scheduled Monument will once again be in a stable condition for posterity.

(from http://heritageaction.wordpress.com/2014/01/09/finally-priddy-good-news/ )
[ Reply to This ]

Re: Priddy Circles S by caradoc68 on Monday, 30 December 2013
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Visited this site on December the 28, and found no repairs have been made to this monument . Had a quick walk round to check, found the turf had been replaced where the bulldozer has flattened the henge and that's is it. Is this what the courts meant by repairing a ancients monument ??
[ Reply to This ]

Re: Priddy Circles S by TheCaptain on Saturday, 07 September 2013
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More than 2 years on from the wanton vandalism and destruction to this precious site, and almost a year since the prosecution at which it was stated that reparations would have to be made, and nothing has been done. I had a quick visit the other week while nearby, and can say that not a thing has been done towards any repair of this circle. How slow the law works in cases like this.
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English Heritage chief calls for tougher sentences for heritage crime by Andy B on Wednesday, 26 December 2012
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Nearly one in five of England's listed buildings was damaged by crime last year, with churches at greatest risk of being targeted, an investigation by the agency found.

Simon Thurley, who has headed English Heritage since 2002, said it was “disappointing” when those brought to justice got away with a "slapped wrist".

Calling on courts to give out prison terms for the most serious heritage crimes, he highlighted the fact that many of those convicted in recent cases received only a conditional discharge or a fine.

He said lesser penalties were failing to deter the modern-day tomb raiders who smash through unique archaeological sites or ancient buildings to steal valuable scrap metal or precious ancient coins and jewellery.

Mr Thurley questioned why a vandal who defaced a Mark Rothko painting at Tate Modern was jailed for two years when a retired businessman who destroyed part of one of Britain’s most important prehistoric monuments in Somerset escaped with a £2,500 fine.

He told the Daily Telegraph: “I think we’ve got perfectly good laws, perfectly good enforcement. The system works. The failure in my view comes at the court - where is the deterrent? “I do think there’s an issue of calibration between a Rothko painting and a prehistoric monument.

“Obviously it’s really bad news that someone goes and damages a valuable painting in the Tate Modern. But why does destroying an ancient monument have a lesser punishment?”

More at
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/9755634/English-Heritage-chief-calls-for-tougher-sentences-for-heritage-crime.html
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Re: Priddy Circles S by enjaytom on Wednesday, 31 October 2012
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The damaged southern Priddy henge is comparable in size to Silbury Hill. The linear dimensions quoted in the reports indicate a diameter about 45 metres inside the inner edge of the ditch. This significant dimension indicates a circumference of seven times the height of the Long Man of Wilmington whose head to heel height is 68.4 metres.
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Re: Priddy Circles S by majoky on Tuesday, 30 October 2012
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A German newspaper posted a before/after photo of the circle. I don't know if this photograph by Pete Glastonbury is already known here?
http://www.welt.de/img/vermischtes/origs110402058/987972644-w900-h600/title.jpg
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    Re: Priddy Circles S by Anonymous on Tuesday, 30 October 2012
    yup they are mine!
    PeteG
    [ Reply to This ]

Re: Priddy Circles S by TheCaptain on Friday, 26 October 2012
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The decision has been made. £2500 fine plus £7500 costs.

A 73-year-old man who vandalised a 5,000-year-old stone monument has been ordered to pay £10,000.

Roger Penny, of Chewton Mendip, appeared before Taunton Crown Court after he damaged one of the Priddy Stone Circles, which is on his land.

Penny had pleaded guilty to charges, at an earlier hearing at South Somerset and Mendip Magistrates' Court.

He was fined £2,500 plus costs of £7,500, but has pledged to pay up to £40,000 extra to help make repairs.


more here.
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    Re: Priddy Circles S by TheCaptain on Friday, 26 October 2012
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    Priddy Circles destruction lands businessman £48,000 bill

    From This is Somerset
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    Re: Priddy Circles S by PeteG on Friday, 26 October 2012
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    plus his own legal costs
    [ Reply to This ]
      Re: Priddy Circles S by Anonymous on Sunday, 28 October 2012
      What isn't reported is that the "contractor" Roger Penny "employed" was actually his grandson! Roger has taken the wrap for his grandson who did the damage and has successfully kept his name out of the press and well away from Plod and English Heritage.

      [ Reply to This ]
        Re: Priddy Circles S by PeteG on Sunday, 28 October 2012
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        Do you have a credible source for this?
        [ Reply to This ]
          Re: Priddy Circles S by Anonymous on Thursday, 01 November 2012
          yes. Common knowledge in the Mendips.

          [ Reply to This ]
          Re: Priddy Circles S by Anonymous on Thursday, 01 November 2012
          thanks for the info,
          PeteG
          [ Reply to This ]

Re: Priddy Circles S by Andy B on Friday, 19 October 2012
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From Thursday, September 06, 2012

The archaeological community is looking for guidance from the case of a Mendip landowner into the penalty that may be imposed for damaging historic sites, a court was told.

Taunton Crown Court heard that Roger Maxwell Penny, 73, who admits destroying part of the Priddy Circles ancient earthworks, dating back to 3,000BC, would like to do what he can to put the damage right and suggested the hearing be adjourned for six-months for work to begin and to demonstrate what could be put right.

David Maunder, for English Heritage, said the matter should not be dealt-with on the defendant's terms and Recorder Jeremy Wright QC said it was one of a number of possibilities – ranging from doing nothing to doing all the work English Heritage required.

The hearing was adjourned to October 26.

More at
http://www.thisissomerset.co.uk/Guidance-circles-case/story-16840792-detail/story.html
[ Reply to This ]
    Re: Priddy Circles S by thereddragon on Friday, 19 October 2012
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    Compulsory purchase of the land and access by English Heritage and thereby the World public for the consideration of 1p.
    A £10,000 fine for building fences to stop this complete t.....r and his family from ever entering said winners enclosure ever again.
    I could go on but he would have nothing.................... like he deserves in my mind.
    [ Reply to This ]

Landowner admits monumental error that caused Priddy Circles damage by Andy B on Friday, 20 April 2012
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A retired plant-hire boss and owner of popular stalwart racehorse Earthmover admitted damaging an internationally important prehistoric monument.

Penny, of The Grange, Back Lane, Litton, admitted causing or permitting works to a Scheduled Monument without Scheduled Monument Consent when he appeared before South Somerset and Mendip Magistrates at Yeovil.

One contractor used rubble to fill swallet holes, natural holes inside the ring which may be the key to the monument’s creation.

Stephen Covell, prosecuting for English Heritage explained: “The circles may have been constructed there so that they included the swallet holes. It is suspected from archaeological excavation of similar holes that they were used by prehistoric people.”

Moving the gate led to agricultural machinery driving straight through the circle making ruts.

Penny will be sentenced by Taunton Crown Court at a later date (reportedly 18th May 2012 - MegP Ed).

Read more at
http://www.thisissomerset.co.uk/Landowner-admits-monumental-error-caused-Priddy/story-15864680-detail/story.html and we are discussing the case in our forum
http://www.megalithic.co.uk/modules.php?op=modload&name=Forum&file=viewtopic&topic=4680&forum=1&start=40

With thanks to Pete G and TheCaptain
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    Re: Landowner admits monumental error that caused Priddy Circles damage by Runemage on Friday, 20 April 2012
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    Landowner admits monumental error
    Should that read Landlord admits scheduled monumental error ! Let's hope for some genuine excavation, research and restoration.

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    Re: Landowner admits monumental error that caused Priddy Circles damage by Andy B on Friday, 20 April 2012
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    I think it's meant to be a pun :)
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    Re: Sentencing delayed for Priddy Circles damage landowner by TheCaptain on Friday, 25 May 2012
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    from http://www.thisissomerset.co.uk/Circles-case-delayed/story-16175053-detail/story.html

    "Sentencing of the man responsible for the destruction of one of the Priddy Circles, an ancient monument high on the Mendip hills has been delayed.

    Roger Penny, of Litton, pleaded guilty to permitting the execution of works affecting a scheduled monument at Priddy between April and October 2011 contrary to the Ancient Monuments Archaeological Areas Act 1979 and the case was sent to crown court for sentence. He is now listed to appear before the court on July 6".
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Court Summons for man suspected of Priddy Circles damage by Andy B on Thursday, 05 April 2012
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Following a detailed investigation by English Heritage and Avon & Somerset Police into the circumstances surrounding damage to one of the Priddy Circles, which is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, a local man has been summoned to appear at South Somerset and Mendip Magistrates’ Court on 19th April 2012 for an alleged offence in connection with works to a Scheduled Monument without Scheduled Monument Consent contrary to section 2(1) of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979.

Priddy Circles, near Wells, is a scheduled monument of four large Neolithic circular earthwork enclosures.

Issued by English Heritage Communications

with thanks to Pete G for the link
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Investigations into damage to Priddy Circles have been completed by Andy B on Saturday, 10 March 2012
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Investigations into the damage to Priddy Circles on the Mendip hills have been completed.

A 72-year-old man has been released from police bail and the case has been passed to the jurisdiction of English Heritage who are expecting to decide what action to take in the next few weeks.

If convicted those responsible could be fined anything up to £20,000. They could also be jailed for up to six months. There have been calls for the damaged sections to be reinstated by archeologists at the expense of those responsible.

The circles could also be compulsorily purchased by the government in order to protect them.

An English Heritage spokesman said: "A detailed investigation has been carried out by English Heritage in partnership with Avon and Somerset Police into the circumstances surrounding damage to one of the Priddy Circles.

"The evidence gathered in the course of the investigation is now with English Heritage to consider and a decision as to any further action will be taken in the near future."

More at
http://www.thisissomerset.co.uk/Heritage-group-considering-action-ancient-circles/story-15435722-detail/story.html
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Re: Priddy Circles S by Andy B on Monday, 12 December 2011
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We also have a forum thread with more on the damage to Priddy Circles
http://www.megalithic.co.uk/modules.php?op=modload&name=Forum&file=viewtopic&topic=4680&forum=1&start=0
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Police make arrest as part of Priddy ancient monument damage investigation by Andy B on Monday, 31 October 2011
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A man has been arrested in connection with an investigation into damage to a historic monument in Somerset.

Priddy Circles is a Scheduled Monument of four large Neolithic circular henges near to Wells. One of the circles was damaged at some point between May 1 and June 23, 2011 which is a criminal offence under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979

The damage has been investigated jointly by Avon and Somerset Police and English Heritage. Today (Monday October 31, 2011) police officers arrested a man on suspicion of criminal damage and causing damage to a scheduled monument. He was taken into custody for interview and he was bailed pending further enquiries.

Anyone with information about the damage is asked to contact Avon and Somerset Police on the non-emergency number 101. Alternatively, phone the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555111. They never ask your name or trace your call.

Source:
http://www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/LocalPages/NewsDetails.aspx?nsid=24508&t=1&lid=4&mid=518

(with thanks to Pete G for the news)
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    Re: Police make arrest as part of Priddy ancient monument damage investigation by golux on Tuesday, 01 November 2011
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    Thanks for keeping us posted on the latest developments Andy.
    I shan't rest easy till I see that the judicial system understands the importance of protecting ancient site and acts accordingly. In the words of Peter Cook - 'one of the great principles of our legal system is that justice must not only be done, - but must be seen to be believed'.
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Re: Priddy Circle 1 excavation report by TheCaptain on Saturday, 27 August 2011
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The report from 2008 Archaeological dig by Jodie Lewis and David Mullin can now be found here:

http://www.ubss.org.uk/resources/proceedings/vol25/UBSS_Proc_25_2_133-163.pdf

This excavation was on a part of Circle which is in the field to the east of where the circle has now been bulldozed, where it is still very much in good condition.
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Re: Damage to ancient Somerset monuments by MikeAitch on Wednesday, 20 July 2011
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Cheers for the link Martyn
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Re: Damage to ancient Somerset monuments by TheCaptain on Wednesday, 20 July 2011
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A petition calling for the "Support Legal Action Against People Who Deliberately/Recklessly Damage Heritage" campaign can be found and signed
here
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Damage to ancient Somerset monuments by Anonymous on Saturday, 16 July 2011
ANCIENT monuments which have existed in Somerset for thousands of years may have been irreparably damaged.

The Priddy Circles, a series of Neolithic earthworks in the village of Priddy, near Draycott, look to have suffered extensive damage after part of the site was bulldozed.

English Heritage and Somerset County Council have launched a joint investigation into the incident, which is punishable under the 1979 Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act.

The earthworks, which sit on the Mendip Hills, are thought to be ritual or burial monuments which were created at around the same time as Stone Henge between 2500 and 2180 BC.

More than a third of one of southernmost of the Bronze Age circles has been completely destroyed.

Blagdon-based archaeology enthusiast Siobhan Watson said: “The monuments are priceless in terms of heritage value, the thing is once they’re damaged, there’s no way to properly restore them.

“Even if it could be restored there wouldn’t be anything left of archaeological value - and the southernmost one which has been damaged was the one which was in the best condition.

“That’s why it’s so important that sites like the Priddy Circles must be protected, they’ve been there for such a long time it would be a huge shame to see them go like this.”

A spokesman for English Heritage said: “We are aware of damage to the Priddy Circles in Somerset – a series of four large Neolithic henge monuments – and we are currently investigating the matter which includes an assessment of the harm caused to the monument through an archaeological assessment.

“It is a criminal offence to carry out works to a scheduled monument without scheduled monument consent from the Secretary of State.

“It is also a criminal offence to intentionally or recklessly destroy or damage a scheduled monument without lawful excuse.”

More:
http://www.thewestonmercury.co.uk/news/damage_to_ancient_somerset_monuments_1_959991
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Re: Priddy Circles S by Anonymous on Friday, 15 July 2011
https://www.facebook.com/groups/protectthepriddycircles?ap=1
for those of you on Facebook

PeteG
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Re: Priddy Circles S by PeteG on Saturday, 02 July 2011
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despite initial reports that the henge had been decimated or obliterated it's obvious to me that the landowner has cleared bushes and infilled swallets.
The section of the henge had mostly disappeared here a long time back but the ends of the bank have been shorted by about 3%.
It looks like the field has been prepared for horse grazing.
Not good to see any damage but at least it isn't as bad as others thought.
PeteG
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    Re: Priddy Circles S by TheCaptain on Saturday, 02 July 2011
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    As I said above, that part of the circle was there to be seen when I last remember visiting this field, probably just over ten years ago. And it can be seen in the older photos. I remember that the whole of the ditch and bank were clearly visible in this section of this field, even if they were not a major feature.

    Admittedly, looking at the relatively new Google Maps images, this section of the circles looks to be fairly faint, and many vehicular tracks can be seen breaking into it. But look at some older pictures, and this is not the case.

    I suspect that the now bulldozed part of the ring has gradually been eroded and damaged over the past ten years or so, perhaps by driving farm machinery over it on a regular basis, and now has just been “finished off”, as it were.
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      Re: Priddy Circles S by PeteG on Saturday, 02 July 2011
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      yes it seems this part has slowly been eroded over the last decade or more.
      Rob Iles at EH is investigating.

      Have you read New Excavations at Priddy Circle I by Jodie Lewis and David Mullin 2011?

      If not email me and I will send you a copy
      peteglastonbury@gmail.com
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Re: Priddy Circles S by MikeAitch on Friday, 01 July 2011
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Aerial photos by Pete Glastonbury on the Wells People website showing damage to Priddy Circles
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Re: Priddy Circles S by Runemage on Wednesday, 29 June 2011
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>>If he is right then did the owners have permission and was it under guidance?<<
See Pete G's comment above. I would have thought EH would have said so upfront, rather than saying they were looking to prosecute.
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    Re: Priddy Circles S by Talbotwoods on Wednesday, 29 June 2011
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    Unfortunately not always.

    I've been on many digs which EH had authorised (and some that they had even arranged), and when they started EH were having fits and tried to stop us, because they then said they hadn't.

    Regional does not always talk to national and national often 'don't hear' what regional is saying to them!

    But that aside, all he was saying that from the imagery plus all the other stuff I sent him, and from the poor quality photo form the paper, that that was his opinion, not conclusive proof.

    Is it not possible that this is the case, and like many people who have been 'conned' into believing something has been approved when it hasn't (OK not nice to say but it could be)

    I am NOT saying that this option is the correct one, all I am saying is that it IS an option, and just as a side if I was filling in holes I think I would use heavy plant, quicker than using a wheel barrow!

    The other point I would make is so far all we have heard is ours side of the case, it would be more nicer to hear the other side as well, so we move from pure conjecture to a more contextual stance.

    It certainly wont be the first time Archaeologists have got it wrong, and most certainly wont be the first time the media have got it very wrong.

    OK I agree that damage has been done, I agree that something needs to be done about it (and that does include prosecution), but what we don't know and I think we now need to know is why and how!

    Nuff said I'll keep me gob shut now
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Re: Priddy Circles S by Talbotwoods on Wednesday, 29 June 2011
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Also I found a LiDAR image that showed the southern most four, and sent this to him later, I think his response may have an implication.

"If you are right and the LIDAR is from about 2005, then with image intensification the damage is very apparent as being older damage, so though you sent this in the hope it may have challenged my previous conclusion, it has now in fact strengthened them.

Clear damage can be seen by the wall extending eastward, clear damage can bee seen to the east and to the south east, the in pits can be seen in the middle of the rings and to the south west of the rings

From this I will say with much more confidence that this is now an attempt at restoration, rather that destruction. (Though through poor attempts at restoration damage can be caused, just look at Yatesbury).

I do agree with you if it is a poor attempt then even so if it was done without the proper guidance and permissions, then yes the book should be thrown at them, no matter how honourable their intentions"


Now I'm getting confused about this, sent all the stuff to him as he (unofficially and quickly) does some interpretation works for me and is normally quite accurate, so not sure what to think about this now. If he is right then did the owners have permission and was it under guidance?
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    Re: Priddy Circles S by TheCaptain on Wednesday, 29 June 2011
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    "From this I will say with much more confidence that this is now an attempt at restoration, rather that destruction."

    How on Earth can bulldozing the southwestern arc of a circular ditch and bank structure (reverse to a henge as the ditch is outside) be considered botched restoration? And like it or not, this is what has been done.

    Admittedly, looking at the relatively new Google Maps images, this section of the circles looks to be fairly faint, and many vehicular tracks can be seen breaking into it. But look at some older ones, and this is not the case.

    I remember that not too long ago, the whole of the ditch and bank were clearly visible in this section of this field. It may be up to ten years ago now since my last visit here, but the circle was as clear as anything then on the ground.

    Maybe trying to cover his tracks? Literally? Most likely flattening the field to ease vehicular access through the field where the tracks are seen to go.

    Anyways, it shouldn't be hard to find out. EH or Plod goes to the landowner and asks.
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Re: Priddy Circles S by Anonymous on Wednesday, 29 June 2011
BBC Points West did a broadcast from within the henge earlier this week and there is definite bulldozer damage to the henge.

PeteG
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Re: Priddy Circles S by Talbotwoods on Wednesday, 29 June 2011
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Hi All

OK this may be a bit of ‘Devils Advocacy’ but.

I have sent the imagery and the Bothamley map to a colleague who specialises in aerial photo interpretation (his full time job), and he has come up with an interesting angle on this. But he has said it is only based on the poor quality imagery available at present (from the Wells Papers Report), historic aerial imagery (much of which isn’t in the public domain) and the photos taken by Nigel Swift (Heritage Journal) and Mr Copcutts photos (from here).

Here is what he has said in an email to me:

“I think your wrong , I don’t think this is a case of wilful damage, as all the new areas very much appear to be locations where deep recent damage is present on the older imagery (within the past 70 years for most of it). I think this is a case of attempted maintenance/repair.

OK I don’t know enough about archaeology, which is your department, but that is how we would be interpreting it here (plus I got a sprog to independently double check my thinking and he concurred)

So onwards to the PhIntA stuff

In the inner area there is a patch of infilling, this corresponds with a hollow that was approximately 1 meter deep that appears from historic overflies looks very much like a 18th Century Dew Pond.

The next example you can even see yourself from Google earth imagery (look back to 2005/6) and you will see that this fairly well follows the severe damage caused by vehicles over what appears to be a short period of time, and this follows very closely to the mound rings you were talking about, but, and here is a the big but, from the imagery and maps you emailed, I think they have just (and it is by a very short just) missed the mounds, going right up to the edging!

Also in the areas that it looks like it may impinge on the mounds, there is evidence in past imagery that there is strong growth of elder, nettles, etc, which to us is indicative of recent (last 25 years) heavy disturbed ground

The area in filled to the south west is defiantly not of huge concern, as this looks like infilling of (what we call stone scrape) this is where stone was dug up in the past to make stone walls I think I have heard you call them walling scrapes in the past, same thing just different names. Again confirmed from mapping, and older imagery and originally was about 2 meters deep.

Now onto the wall damage, this had me flummoxed for a while, as it didn’t seem to make sense, until I went back to the maps and some older images, prior to the 1975 the entire mound is visible, after 1981 the mound by the wall looks very much as if it has been destroyed, along with a segment to the west and the South east; these appear to have been dug out, which would tie in with my interpretation mentioned above; the damage is recent (last 25 years) but not necessarily associated with the current works

To complicate the matter further, if the photo you sent me was of the wall going over the mound, and that has been cut away, then looking at the next photo, and thinking what it would appear from the air, it looks as if it has been cleaned away to get a side view, especially as it looks clean. So that might even be a dig type thing.

OK this might not be what you wanted to hear, but that is our view and that is how we would be interpreting it here.”


As he does this for a living I think that maybe there may some credence in what he is saying, and is this a case of someone trying to do the right thing, possibly for the wrong reasons, but screwing it up!

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Re: Priddy Circles S by TheCaptain on Monday, 27 June 2011
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An aerial photo of the recent bulldozing of the southern Priddy Circle can be seen here.

Perhaps not as much destruction as I had first thought, but nevertheless, something totally unacceptable
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    Re: Priddy Circles S by TheCaptain on Monday, 27 June 2011
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    It seems (as is often the case) that EH are currently doing nothing.

    "English Heritage is very keen on putting management plans in place and once we have worked out the situation at Priddy that may be an avenue to pursue.

    But at the moment we are still waiting to see the extent of the damage but deciding what to do next."


    Well go and have a look. Its not difficult. I managed it with a broken shoulder!
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    Re: Priddy Circles S by Anonymous on Monday, 27 June 2011
    I have been in touch with BBC points west and they just aired a piece on the damage filmed from within the circle. EH made a statement saying they are looking to prosecute.
    They used a still that I took when I flew over with JJ back in November 2003. I will be flying over soon.
    The program will be available in BBC shortly for 24 hours http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006pft9
    PeteG
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Priddy Circles S by TheCaptain on Sunday, 19 June 2011
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I can indeed confirm that the field containing much of the southern, and perhaps most well preserved of the three main Priddy Circles has indeed been bulldozed and flattened. There are also piles of old building rubble about, which have no doubt been used to fill in the ditches, and much new fencing erected around this field.

Trying to look on the bright side, it would seem that only about a third of the circle has been destroyed.
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Street View by coldrum on Wednesday, 24 March 2010
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View Larger Map
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Street View by coldrum on Wednesday, 24 March 2010
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View Larger Map
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Re: Priddy Circles S by AngieLake on Sunday, 10 May 2009
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This is a good link for info on Priddy south circle:
http://digitaldigging.co.uk/maps/somerset/henge_monuments/henge_monuments_somerset_priddy_circles_south_south.html
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Re: Priddy Circles S by Anonymous on Monday, 04 February 2008
noticed a circular mark in the field at 7 oclock from wurt pitt on google earth that seems to be alined with the other 3 circles any ideas please
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    Re: Priddy Circles S by Andy B on Monday, 04 February 2008
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    I can't see it, you'll have to be more specific where it is. It is an amazing aerial view though (click the third aeroplane button above)
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