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<< Our Photo Pages >> Nine Ladies - Stone Circle in England in Derbyshire

Submitted by Andy B on Wednesday, 14 December 2016  Page Views: 226847

Neolithic and Bronze AgeSite Name: Nine Ladies Alternative Name: Stanton Moor II
Country: England County: Derbyshire Type: Stone Circle
Nearest Town: Matlock  Nearest Village: Birchover
Map Ref: SK24916349  Landranger Map Number: 119
Latitude: 53.167948N  Longitude: 1.628839W
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
4 Ambience:
5Superb
4Good
3Ordinary
2Not Good
1Awful
0No data.
4 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.
3 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
5

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I have visited· I would like to visit

43559959 whese001 Mountainharry harleygreyhound would like to visit

Couplands visited on 14th Oct 2023 - their rating: Cond: 3 Amb: 4 Access: 3

Couplands visited on 10th Jun 2023 - their rating: Cond: 3 Amb: 4 Access: 3

hamrerhippyer visited on 21st Dec 2022 - their rating: Cond: 4 Amb: 4 Access: 3

Astropaul visited on 27th Apr 2021 - their rating: Cond: 4 Amb: 4 Access: 3

Marko visited on 21st Mar 2020 - their rating: Cond: 4 Amb: 3 Access: 4

elad13 visited on 16th Mar 2019 - their rating: Cond: 4 Amb: 4 Access: 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QaFjBtGDnWs&t=934s - recent search for the Stanton moor aincient sites - https://travelorintime.blogspot.com/

UnnaturalDisaster visited on 11th Jan 2018 - their rating: Cond: 3 Amb: 4 Access: 3

kthdsn visited on 16th Apr 2016 - their rating: Cond: 4 Amb: 4 Access: 4

MmeSinn visited on 27th Jul 2015 - their rating: Cond: 4 Amb: 5 Access: 3

Ballhc visited on 21st Sep 2013 - their rating: Cond: 3 Amb: 3 Access: 3

k8marieuk visited on 28th Feb 2013 - their rating: Cond: 3 Amb: 5 Access: 2

jon_weekes visited on 30th Apr 2011 - their rating: Cond: 4 Amb: 5 Access: 4

Jems visited on 30th Jan 2011 - their rating: Cond: 4 Amb: 5

markj99 visited on 22nd Jan 2009 - their rating: Cond: 3 Amb: 3 I was somewhat underwhelmed by the Nine Ladies of Stanton Moor. The scale of the circle was smaller than I expected.

lscollinson visited on 1st Jan 2009 - their rating: Cond: 3 Amb: 4 Access: 2 A popular spot with walkers and dog walkers which can spoil the ambience at times.

megalithicmatt visited on 1st Jan 2004 - their rating: Cond: 3 Amb: 4 Access: 3 Vague memories of rumbling around here.

emerald visited on 1st Jan 2004 - their rating: Cond: 3 Amb: 3 Access: 2 Not very exciting stone circle, no energy there at all

BolshieBoris visited on 1st Jan 1982 - their rating: Cond: 4 Amb: 4 Access: 3

Gorient visited on 1st Jan 0007 - their rating: Cond: 3 Amb: 5 Access: 4 Beautiful place, although the firs visit was disturbing, having to break up an argument. The second visit, couldnt get close for tents everywere, but will not be put off by its beauty, third time lucky. I hope

Aimeeb-b visited - their rating: Cond: 3 Amb: 5 Access: 4

Elric visited - their rating: Cond: 4 Amb: 5 Access: 4

NickyD visited - their rating: Amb: 3 Access: 2

kith visited - their rating: Cond: 4 Amb: 4 Access: 3

mark_a drolaf Humbucker sorschaL neolithique02 SandyG Aurora_skygazer Bladup AngieLake rldixon TimPrevett nicoladidsbury kelpie ocifant Orcinus MartinRS Wazza12 mark_a mark_a have visited here

Average ratings for this site from all visit loggers: Condition: 3.5 Ambience: 4.09 Access: 3.05

Nine Ladies
Nine Ladies submitted by Infinite_Fate : Looking North one November day showing banking (or, the Ladies' skirts). (Vote or comment on this photo)
Nine Ladies is a typical Derbyshire stone circle consisting of nine visible small standing stones embedded in a grassed over stone rubble bank approximately 11.5m by 10.5m in diameter. The stones are all composed of local millstone grit and none are taller than one metre in height.

The site is the most popular in Derbyshire and has been much in the spotlight due to past quarrying plans in the area. The bank has now all but disappeared, as has the cairn, which once lay in the centre.

During the summer of 1976, the famous drought of that year brought to light a tenth stone which had lain unnoticed for generations beneath the soil.

Text by Vicky Morgan

Note: Details of Aimee Blease-Bourne's new book - Guarding Sacred Sites: the Nine Ladies Anti-Quarry Campaign, more in the comments on our page, which also document the protest and other goings on at the Nine Ladies right back to 2001
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Nine Ladies
Nine Ladies submitted by Falc : Nine Ladies in winter garb (22 comments - Vote or comment on this photo)

Nine Ladies
Nine Ladies submitted by TimPrevett : Early morning 3rd July 2010 (12 comments - Vote or comment on this photo)

Nine Ladies
Nine Ladies submitted by PaulM : Nine Ladies Stone Circle (aka Stanton Moor 2), Derbyshire GR: SK249635 Nine Ladies is a typical Derbyshire circle consisting of nine visible small standing stones embedded in a grassed over stone rubble bank approximately 11.5m by 10.5m in diameter. The site is the most popular in Derbyshire and much in the media spotlight due to quarrying plans in the area. The stones are all composed of l... (3 comments - Vote or comment on this photo)

Nine Ladies
Nine Ladies submitted by stu : 11/04. Early morning..... (7 comments - Vote or comment on this photo)

Nine Ladies
Nine Ladies submitted by Blingo_von_Trumpenstein : Nine Ladies fallen stone with Larry and friends. Not sure I have ever seen more frolicky(?) lambs. Spring 2009. Enjoy Blingo (1 comment - Vote or comment on this photo)

Nine Ladies Derbyshire
Nine Ladies Derbyshire submitted by robthedog : *Category B* This is one of the Nine Ladies in Derbyshire, I took this shot through a pentagram woven from twigs which was hanging from a branch of a tree along with various other 'offerings' scattered around the site. The photo was taken at Christmas 2004 just as the snow was thawing and although a bit gimmicky with the pentagram, I thought it captured the atmosphere of the place quite nicely, ... (1 comment)

Nine Ladies
Nine Ladies submitted by hairytabs : The Nine Ladies Stanton Moor Derbyshire. A heavily manipulated digital photo the higher res version of this has more detail.

Nine Ladies
Nine Ladies submitted by Infinite_Fate : Looking down towards the Ladies from the King's vantage point (the old voyeur heheh!) (5 comments)

Nine Ladies
Nine Ladies submitted by TimPrevett : Early morning 3rd July 2010 (1 comment)

Nine Ladies
Nine Ladies submitted by AngieLake : Another view of the Nine Ladies, looking towards the King Stone outlier.

Nine Ladies
Nine Ladies submitted by AngieLake : One of the best views of the lovely Nine Ladies circle, showing the raised bank it lies on. (Looking towards the King Stone).

Nine Ladies
Nine Ladies submitted by Summer144 : ❤️ (1 comment)

Nine Ladies Stone Circle
Nine Ladies Stone Circle submitted by K4ren : Nine Ladies Stone Circle Stanton Moor, Derbyshire Image copyright: karendore (Karen Dore), hosted on Flickr and displayed under the terms of their API.

Nine Ladies
Nine Ladies submitted by Blingo_von_Trumpenstein : Stone farthest from King Stone. Brown mesolithic(!) stone pick axe head (broken) sitting atop. Aaaaaah - wish I was there right now. Enjoy. Blingo (1 comment)

Nine Ladies
Nine Ladies submitted by Darronwithano : Messing about at the stones with a 30 second exposure. (1 comment)

Nine Ladies
Nine Ladies submitted by TimPrevett : Early morning 3rd July 2010 (2 comments)

Nine Ladies
Nine Ladies submitted by TimPrevett

Nine Ladies
Nine Ladies submitted by stu : Stripes in the new turf at the Nine Ladies (6 comments)

Nine Ladies
Nine Ladies submitted by ocifant : Nine Ladies, taken on 29th Dec 2002, in heavy rain and mist, around midday. (3 comments)

Nine Ladies
Nine Ladies submitted by Bladup : Nine Ladies.

Nine Ladies
Nine Ladies submitted by Bladup : Nine ladies, Always alive and loved. This Original Artwork in a glass frame is £44.99 + Postage (Just whatever it costs), and is 28 cm x 16 and a half cm. A limited (to a 100) edition print in a 8" x 10" glass frame would be £19.99 + £2.90 postage, E-mail me at paul.blades@rocketmail.com if interested.

Nine Ladies
Nine Ladies submitted by TimPrevett : Early morning 3rd July 2010

Nine Ladies
Nine Ladies submitted by TimPrevett

Nine Ladies
Nine Ladies submitted by TimPrevett

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Megalithic Mysteries by Andy Burnham
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Nearby sites listing. In the following links * = Image available
 45m WSW 244° The King (Stanton Moor)* Standing Stone (Menhir) (SK24876347)
 194m SW 215° Stanton Moor Cairn T24* Cairn (SK24806333)
 210m N 358° Stanton Moor 1* Stone Circle (SK249637)
 255m SSW 206° Stanton Moor 3* Stone Circle (SK24806326)
 284m SE 130° Stanton Moor Cairn T57* Cairn (SK25136331)
 371m SSW 194° Stanton Moor Cairn T55* Round Cairn (SK24826313)
 374m NW 326° Stanton Moor Cairn T2* Round Cairn (SK247638)
 433m ESE 116° Cat Stone* Rock Outcrop (SK253633)
 581m SSW 207° Stanton Moor Cairn T25* Cairn (SK24656297)
 619m SSE 162° Gorse Stone* Rock Outcrop (SK251629)
 623m SSW 199° Stanton Moor 4* Ring Cairn (SK24716290)
 737m SSW 199° Stanton Moor Cairn (TBC)* Cairn (SK2467562791)
 847m SW 226° Stanton Moor Cairn T13* Round Cairn (SK243629)
 899m SW 219° Cork Stone* Natural Stone / Erratic / Other Natural Feature (SK2434662788)
 912m SW 222° Stanton Moor Cairn T14* Cairn (SK24306281)
 1.0km WSW 241° Andle Stone (Stanton Moor)* Natural Stone / Erratic / Other Natural Feature (SK2403162993)
 1.2km WSW 240° Doll Tor* Stone Circle (SK2383062873)
 1.8km ESE 106° St Helen’s Church (Darley Dale)* Carving (SK26676298)
 1.9km SW 226° Rowtor Rocks* Rock Art (SK23556215)
 1.9km SW 224° The Megalithic Portal Live in the Derbyshire Peak District Natural Stone / Erratic / Other Natural Feature (SK236621)
 1.9km SW 224° St Michael’s Church (Birchover)* Carving (SK23576210)
 2.2km SW 230° Rockingstone Farm* Rock Outcrop (SK2322062065)
 2.4km WSW 255° Harthill Cairn* Cairn (SK22556286)
 2.5km WSW 255° Nine Stones Cup Mark (Harthill) Rock Art (SK22546284)
 2.5km WSW 242° Cratcliff Rocks* Hillfort (SK227623)
View more nearby sites and additional images

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Web Links for Nine Ladies

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Alastair's Derbyshire Stone Circle Pages by Alastair McIvor
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STILE by Clive Ruggles
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"Nine Ladies" | Login/Create an Account | 217 News and Comments
  
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National park bosses fear 'irreparable damage' to Derbyshire stone circle by Andy B on Friday, 01 September 2023
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National park bosses fear camping and fire-lighting could do "irreparable damage" to an ancient monument. Fires have been lit in the centre of the 4,000-year-old Nine Ladies stone circle at Stanton in Peak, Derbyshire, and a tent found nearby.

Anna Badcock, of the Peak District National Park, said staff were "shocked and saddened" at damage to the circle.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-derbyshire-66669485
[ Reply to This ]

Stanton Moor / Nine Ladies audio trail / tour by Andy B on Wednesday, 10 July 2019
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Offering spectacular views of the surrounding landscape

This hugely contested area is home to over 70 ancient monuments. Follow the footsteps of our ancestors on this short two mile walk and explore the diverse ways in which the stone beneath us continues to shape the diverse landscapes on Stanton Moor.

Starting Point: South-west entrance to Stanton Moor (Ordnance Survey grid reference – SK242628)
Distance: 2 miles / 3.3 km
Grade: Easy
Allow: 1 hour 30 mins
Map: Explorer OL24 The Peak District – White Peak Area
Terrain: Two stiles will need to be crossed, but the route is generally flat and good under foot.
Nearest town: Birchover
Travel info: The 172 bus service operated by Hulleys provides a service from Matlock and Bakewell.The nearest car park is illustrated on the map a few hundred metres south of the start point.

Download the tour and map from
https://www.moorsforthefuture.org.uk/enjoy-the-moors/audio-trails/stanton-moor
[ Reply to This ]

Nine (10) Ladies by drolaf on Wednesday, 22 August 2018
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The stone ring is a wonderfully peaceful and clean place now.
I visited to see if the very dry summer has revealed any parch marks, as i wondered if there was a stone missing in the large southerly gap. However, no mark so i’m pretty sure the gap is real.
Interestingly, the dry ground seems to have revealed a double bank and ditch, with the stones on a bank. Also there is a banked ditch leading from the northerly side about 30m.
If anyone can get to do a drone or kite picture that would be great.

Very worrying is the number of small fires still being lit near the stones, and cigarette butts. The fire risk on the moor is exceptionally high this year, and the rangers are very worried for the moor environment and ecology.

If you care for the moor and the ancient monuments on it--
Please take a tin for cigarette butts. And take it home with you.
Do not under any circumstance light a fire.
Look out for any glass or shiny object that could ignite a fire.

There is also continuing erosion around the stones, so please avoid these patches.

Please look after the ‘ladies’ Thankyou
[ Reply to This ]
    Re: Nine (10) Ladies by shaqmeister on Wednesday, 24 June 2020
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    Hi drolaf.

    There was, in fact, an excavation in 2000 of the area you mention as the ‘large southerly gap’. Using the usual system of numbering of the stones going clockwise, where the short flat-topped stone is ‘9’, this would be in the gap 5–6 and, if confirmed, would be numbered ‘5a’, ‘4a’ being the recumbent stone uncovered in 1980 and still showing between 4 and 5.

    It happened that, later in the 1980s, what appeared to be the tip of maybe the stump of the supposed missing ‘5a’ was uncovered through erosion in just the right spot. However, the 2000 excavation showed it to be nothing of the sort and the ground betrayed no evidence of a stone hole having ever been dug in this location.

    The report for the excavation can be found in Guilbert and Garton’s 2010 article for the DAJ, available here, particularly pp. 13–14 and p. 38.
    [ Reply to This ]
      Re: Nine (10) Ladies by Blingo_von_Trumpenstein on Friday, 26 June 2020
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      There is a drawing from 1754 I think that shows the recumbent stone standing up. My rough calculations suggest it is indeed a recumbent stone with matches to the horizon in the south east direction. winter solstice sunrise connection perhaps...
      [ Reply to This ]

Re: Nine Ladies by Anonymous on Thursday, 14 June 2018
Will there be a gathering this year for the Solstice?
I attended 2-3 years ago and there was a large crowd there.
A great atmosphere with music, poy dancers etc.
Just wondered if there was anything happening this year?
[ Reply to This ]
    Re: Nine Ladies by Anonymous on Sunday, 20 August 2023
    Thanks for ruining an ancient site for locals!
    [ Reply to This ]

Re: Nine Ladies by Anonymous on Saturday, 28 April 2018
Is anyone aware of or know why a track has been made from the path in the middle of the farmers field up to Stanton Quarry? This includes removal of trees and vegetation in the quarry. Some serious effort has gone into this.
[ Reply to This ]
    Re: Nine Ladies by Blingo_von_Trumpenstein on Sunday, 29 April 2018
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    Haul road - so they can drive lorries back and forth...fun fun fun
    [ Reply to This ]
      Re: Nine Ladies by Anonymous on Sunday, 29 April 2018
      So it would appear that they are planning on start quarrying again. Such a shame in such a beautiful location.
      I'm surprised it hasn't received opposition. Wonder if anyone knows?
      [ Reply to This ]

Re: Nine Ladies by Anonymous on Tuesday, 13 June 2017
Going for a full weekend this weekend so hopefully the gathering is then. I will be very disappointed if I have chosen the wrong weekend to go :D
[ Reply to This ]
    Re: Nine Ladies by Andy B on Wednesday, 14 June 2017
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    As far as I know people go on the morning of the solstice but if you're there at the weekend just go and see, there may well be others there. Have a good weekend seeing the stones
    [ Reply to This ]

Re: Nine Ladies by Anonymous on Sunday, 11 June 2017
Is the celebration on the actual day of the solstice or on the weekend after?
[ Reply to This ]

Re: Nine Ladies by Anonymous on Tuesday, 02 May 2017
Where can I get some contact information for the organisers of the summer solstice gathering? I'd like to enquire about getting involved with some music.
[ Reply to This ]
    Re: Nine Ladies by Blingo_von_Trumpenstein on Thursday, 04 May 2017
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    The only organiser is the sun. She's been doing it for a while. Bring any acoustic instrument you fancy with a smile and fun will ensue...
    [ Reply to This ]
      Re: Nine Ladies by Anonymous on Friday, 05 May 2017
      Okay, sweet. Though we were thinking of bringing down an amplified setup. There's no generator - we run everything off car batteries. Reckon that'd be okay?

      We're called PunchLime Collective and we play a mix of funk / dub / afrobeat and trancey ambient stuff - all improvised and played according to whatever the mood of the crowd is. Usually dancey.

      Here's a short video of us busking in Manchester:
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gr0kB-o0IPE
      [ Reply to This ]
      Re: Nine Ladies by Blingo_von_Trumpenstein on Saturday, 06 May 2017
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      I like what you do but it's not a rave my friend. It is a celebration of the passing of the sun. It is an important and sacred occasion to most people up there. You would risk possible police action and problems for everyone. I suggest leaving it all at home and bringing a drum to celebrate the wheel turning. Drink mead, make new friends and try to forget about all things electronic and focus on the important matter - the passage of our life giving star - the sun.
      [ Reply to This ]
        Re: Nine Ladies by Anonymous on Sunday, 07 May 2017
        I think you have it misunderstood when you say rave. We're not thinking of partying on into the night - more just providing some happy vibes during the day weather-permitting. I've seen small soundsystems down there during the day before and it all seemed pretty tame and just about right for the occasion.
        [ Reply to This ]

Re: Nine Ladies by Blingo_von_Trumpenstein on Wednesday, 19 April 2017
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18/04/17 - all looking good up on the moor. Oak has had all clouties removed...can't imagine the mindset needed to do that.
[ Reply to This ]

New book - Guarding Sacred Sites: the Nine Ladies Anti-Quarry Campaign by AimeeBee on Wednesday, 30 November 2016
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I am excited to announce my new book Guarding Sacred Sites is available to buy. The book offers the first major book-length academic study, documenting the direct action based campaign surrounding quarrying on Stanton Moor.

In 2009 environmental protesters won a nine year battle to prevent quarrying on the sacred landscape in Derbyshire. The diversity of tactics employed, from building a labyrinth of tree houses and tunnels, to letter writing, created an impenetrable defence.

My book weaves personal, first hand accounts living on Stanton Moor at the protest site, together with other secondary data collected through-out this time. It creates an alternative social history for Stanton Moor.

It provides an insight into the battle between people who care passionately about ancient landscapes, waged with people who wanted to destroy it. It is not a work of fiction; it charts a real-life struggle. It provides a sociological, in-depth account of communities and the natural environment, in a real life context.

I am also pleased to launch my new website exploring Stanton Moor, aiming to develop understanding, increase respect and encourage greater care of the sacred landscape http://www.guardingsacredsites.co.uk

Here you are able to buy the book and find out lots of interesting information regarding the moor.
Aimee Blease-Bourne PhD
[ Reply to This ]
    Re: Guarding Sacred Sites: the Nine Ladies Anti- Quarry Campaign by Blingo_von_Trumpenstein on Friday, 02 December 2016
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    Aaaaaaah the magic of the moor just continues...great work.
    [ Reply to This ]

Yet More Damage at Nine Ladies by Runemage on Thursday, 03 September 2015
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It beggars belief but yet another person or persons unknown have taken it upon themselves to deface this site :-(

Info from NE via HA

https://heritageaction.wordpress.com/author/heritageaction/

We received some bad news yesterday of yet another attack on the Nine Ladies of Stanton Moor. As you can see in the photos someone has carved a few bits of graffiti into the fallen stone at the circle. The police have been informed and we hope the offender is swiftly found. If anyone has any information on the identity of the culprit they should notify Derbyshire Police.

[Edit: It looks like the majority/all of this damage actually took place back in July, but may have been added to recently]
[ Reply to This ]

Re: Nine Ladies by Anonymous on Wednesday, 08 July 2015
NINE LADIES STONE CIRCLE
Great stuff, wonderful photos, congratulations to several guys.
My interpretation of the site, the numbers and disposal of the stones: -
The largest stone on ONE YEAR.
Which comprises eight odd numbered months; Summer, Llew, Autumn, Samain, Winter, Imbolc, Spring, Beltane, marked by the stones.
And the even numbered months; Two, Four, Six, Eight, Ten, Twelve, Fourteen and Sixteen, marked by the spaces between the stones.
The site is another example of the sixteen month Sun calendar first perceived 4270 BC, the Rhondda Calendar. See Google. Diolch, Neil L. Thomas
[ Reply to This ]

Happy Solstice from all at the Nine Ladies by Blingo_von_Trumpenstein on Sunday, 21 June 2015
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Happy Solstice to all on the Portal. We had great fun at the Ladies last night - about 200 people and 10 drummers! Joyous and lovely.
Many old friends were hugged and many new friends were made.
These stones have seen some tremendously special moments and last night was no exception. I will be back up in the week to remove litter. It won't be there for long...
I looked around me and realised that almost all of my friends have been made at these stones. I even met my wife here 5 years ago to the day.
Nine ladies we love you.
[ Reply to This ]

Re: Nine Ladies by EarthAngel1 on Saturday, 20 June 2015
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Hi Everyone. What's happening up at the nine ladies stone circle tomorrow ( summer solstice) will we be welcome to come and join in? What time is best to be there?
[ Reply to This ]

Re: Nine Ladies by Anonymous on Monday, 08 June 2015
went to nine ladies last summer solstice, was an amazing atmosphere and met some amazing people, will deffo be going up on the 21st for this years solstice, I can't wait to see if there's anyone from last year :) monet x
[ Reply to This ]
    Re: Nine Ladies by Blingo_von_Trumpenstein on Monday, 08 June 2015
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    Monet - the usual crowd will be there. Most of us are there every year for all the quarters. I'll be playing massive djembes...you can't miss me...
    [ Reply to This ]
      Re: Nine Ladies by EarthAngel1 on Saturday, 20 June 2015
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      what is/are massive djembes?
      [ Reply to This ]
        Re: Nine Ladies by EarthAngel1 on Saturday, 20 June 2015
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        Got it. They are African healing drums...correct? Wow I think that's ace. what could I do ( of a spiritual nature) to honour the solstice at this sacred place? I have a Tibetan singing bowl which I took up there last time.
        [ Reply to This ]
        Re: Nine Ladies by Blingo_von_Trumpenstein on Sunday, 21 June 2015
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        Massive djembes are the biggest of big, the loudest of loud African drums. They are my precious and each drum has a life of it's own. Played for many hours last night and was glorious. Sore hands today!!
        [ Reply to This ]

Re: Nine Ladies by Blingo_von_Trumpenstein on Tuesday, 25 March 2014
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I am informed the paint was water based and has now been removed by very careful brushing. I consider this a hate crime and shall act accordingly.
[ Reply to This ]

Re: Nine Ladies by juamei on Friday, 21 March 2014
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More pictures of the paint. They managed to get every stone.

http://heritageaction.wordpress.com/2014/03/21/more-photos-of-the-paint-attack-on-nine-ladies-of-stanton-moor/
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Re: Nine Ladies by enjaytom on Tuesday, 18 March 2014
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Greeting Guys,
Nine Ladies is quite a significant title - in ancient myths and legends nine was the number that symbolised humanity as a whole, a perfect representation.
At Avebury the southern ring of twenty-nine stones has a straight row of nine stones in the middle with two more stones set off to the side at row ends. These I interpret as a row of nine jurors and the counsels for the prosecution and defence at a trial of an offender. The accused stood in the middle next to the central (now missing quartz) column described by Stukeley. I have named it "The JUSTICE Circle". Refer the Icelandic myths by Snorri Sturlusson.
Sir Alexander Keiller (marmalade) discovered the stump of the Avebury holed stone next to the Justice Circle, another vandalised stone. Numbers of other holed stones in England, Ireland, Scotland have associated myths and legends concerned with HEALTH in one form or another.
[ Reply to This ]

Paint vandalism at Nine Ladies by Blingo_von_Trumpenstein on Saturday, 15 March 2014
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Someone has put paint on every stone at the Ladies:

http://heritageaction.wordpress.com/2014/03/15/paint-attack-on-the-nine-ladies-of-stanton-moor/

Lost for words...
[ Reply to This ]
    Re: Paint vandalism at Nine Ladies by Runemage on Saturday, 15 March 2014
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    EZRS turns this up on YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOWjRiLGaew
    it may or may not be connected, any gamers throw any light on it as to any meaning?
    It's written so neatly, is it the vandal's initials or username maybe, or an abbreviation for something?

    Good advice from English Heritage, don't try to remove the paint, it's evidence and it may need specialist removal to avoid damaging the stones.
    [ Reply to This ]
    Re: Paint vandalism at Nine Ladies by tiompan on Sunday, 16 March 2014
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    EZR5 may be more appropriate .

    George
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      Re: Paint vandalism at Nine Ladies by Runemage on Sunday, 16 March 2014
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      Well spotted George, I think you're right.
      Idiot vandalism splashing paint around is one thing but this type of action using an ancient place to promote fundamentalist religious/political views is a lot worse.
      anyone wanting to know what it refers to, please Google EZR5, I don't think we should give a platform to that here.
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    Re: Paint vandalism at Nine Ladies by Anonymous on Sunday, 23 March 2014
    It was dissolving in the rain yesterday, fingers crossed probably just poster paint. I hope it weathers off.
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Video - Ancient Knowledge: The sacred geometry behind British Stone Circles by Andy B on Tuesday, 22 October 2013
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John Hill from the University of Liverpool has made a video demonstrating his ideas of stone circle geometry and construction, using the Nine Ladies and other sites as examples.

The video Ancient Knowledge: The sacred geometry behind British Stone Circles can be viewed here:

https://stream.liv.ac.uk/tv4z6bb6

John is also giving a free talk about Astronomy in Prehistoric Britain at the Bluecoat art exhibition The Day of the Dead of Night being held in Liverpool next month.

John is the author of the book Design your own Stonehenge using the Occam's Razor Solution and the creator of the experimental stone circle at Ness Botanic Gardens http://antiquity.ac.uk/projgall/hill321/

Sat 2nd November, 12 – 1pm in the Sandon Room.
An Illustrated talk: Dr John Hill Sun, Moon and Man: Astronomy in Prehistoric Britain
Exploring cosmological beliefs of British Neolithic and early Bronze Age communities (circa 4000 – 1800 BC).
Entry is free

http://www.thebluecoat.org.uk/events/view/exhibitions/1823
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    Re: Video - Ancient Knowledge: The sacred geometry behind British Stone Circles by tiompan on Wednesday, 23 October 2013
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    The distance from the stone circle to the outlier is suggested as being 135 feet , but where is this measure being taken from ? The Alexander Thom plan of the site gives the outlier as being 129.9 feet from the perimeter of the circle and as the radius is 17.75 feet the distance from the centre to outlier would be 147.65 feet . The two diameters would also seem to be in disagreement Thom’s is 35.5 , Dr Hill’s 33.75 feet . The same measure , 33.75 feet is then suggested as being the measure for setting out the stones yet only two stones are used to support this claim , there are others that are a greater distance apart and there is nothing distinguishes the chosen stones as being salient apart from the fact that they are 33.75 feet apart ,neither a quarter of the distance to the outlier or the diameter of the circle according to Thom .From the suggested radius of 15.75 feet it can be seen that the stones were not set out with a common radius i.e. from the centre of the circle to the inner edge of each stone is not equidistant , as we might expect , if the stones were set out with a peg and rope .
    The 11.25 feet measure of the distance between stones is shown to have a rough fit for three of the pairs ,the other five pairs (excluding the fallen stone ) are omitted as they are more obviously a long way even from a rough fit . I don’t see any evidence for use of any unit of measurement from this demonstration or from the plan of the monument . The use of the 135 feet measure at Arbor Low seems no more likely , the monument is far from circular and a diameter of 270 feet is short of the diameter or at least the continuation of the outer bank at the entrances .
    George
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Moor quarrying by Anonymous on Wednesday, 18 September 2013

Unfortunately after speaking with a PDNPA member, the planning application for Birchover Quarry to extend their site on Stanton Moor has been successful. This is very worrying especially as it goes against many policies and principles put in place which aim to reduce quarrying in this sensitive area. My contact at the PDNPA also said she is immensely concerned about plans to back fill Barton and Dungeon quarries which had their rights revocated under the same conditions as Endcliffe and Lees Cross (where the protest site was). Could this set a precedent for Endcliffe and Lees Cross? Could Stancliffe Stone begin back filling this old quarry in under the guise of regeneration? I am currently in talks with the locals to see what we can do. Any ideas please get in touch :(
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    Re: Moor quarrying by Andy B on Wednesday, 18 September 2013
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    This is how the PDNPA announced it: National park planners secure restoration of three quarries

    http://www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/news/current-news/national-park-planners-secure-restoration-of-three-quarries

    I can't find the text of the Stanton Action Group's objections but part of it is included in the PDNPA response in the local paper:

    A spokesperson for Stanton Action Group said: “The Peak District National Park seems untouchable when it comes to quarrying applications. This planning application contravenes numerous national park policies.

    Peak Park response to quarry criticism:

    http://www.matlockmercury.co.uk/news/local/peak-park-response-to-quarry-criticism-1-6059599

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    Re: Moor quarrying by Blingo_von_Trumpenstein on Monday, 23 September 2013
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    We always knew this was coming . . . 10 years of hardship and protest and now they creep back in. I saw several former site residents this weekend and we are all aware of this development. Nothing has changed. People are still prepared to die to stop this.
    Anyone got a tent?
    Email me if you want to do something
    pointbutted@googlemail.com
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      Re: Moor quarrying by Anonymous on Saturday, 28 September 2013
      Hi folks, local resident here. We believe we can prove the illegality of this move but don't know how best to proceed. Does anyone have access to good legal advice? Keeping our powder dry in the meantime.
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Re: Nine Ladies by Anonymous on Sunday, 18 August 2013
have things been ok with the camper of late?
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    Re: Nine Ladies by Anonymous on Thursday, 19 September 2013
    Which camper are you referring to?
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Re: Nine Ladies by Anonymous on Saturday, 03 September 2011
I visited the circle last week and having seen what was called the King stone outside the circle to the west I thought that there would be a stone to the east. Walking in a straight line away from the circle I found a stone - smaller than the King stone just passed some trees. This with what appears to be a small burial mound to the north may require a look by the experts.
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    Re: Nine Ladies by Anonymous on Friday, 21 October 2011
    Apparently the King Stone isn't in its original position. I recall an article I read several years ago, strangely enough it claimed the stone had been hit by a car in the sixties and resighted. How this happened I have no idea and it still makes me laugh to think of it. What you may not have noticed though is the rock carved spiral and cup marks on a large stone near by. If you were standing at the King Stone looking towards the ring there are some small trees to the left of the circle, under these is a largish boulder where these features can be seen. I would also like to take the opportunity to thank all the people involved in saving this site from money grabbing quarrying companies, you all know who you are ! Nice Job !
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      Re: Nine Ladies by Anonymous on Monday, 14 November 2011
      My name is Kelly and i am planning a trip from Cape town - south africa. I am originally from the midlands, in the uk but I emigrated about 20 years ago .

      I am now feeling the urge to connect with my ancestors of the land and it was suggested to me to go to the Nine ladies in Derbyshire. Is it possible to do some sort or vision quest there legally and is it safe to do this?/

      kelly.bagnall@gmail.com
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        Re: Nine Ladies by Aimeeb-b on Sunday, 20 November 2011
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        Hi Kelly

        Nine Ladies on Stanton Moor is a truly fantastic place to connect with ancestors of the past and the land. In fact is a very popular spot for many different people.

        I think it would be lovely to do a vision quest on Stanton Moor, although if you are looking for peace and quiet, it may be a better choice to find another spot on the moor.

        The Nine Ladies is on a popular footpath and it can be difficult to get the place to yourself (but it isn't impossible and depends on the weather, the day you go up and other factors).

        There are over 70 different sacred sites on Stanton Moor, made by early bronze age ancestors and some are very unknown and quiet. There are also wooded and secluded quarry ruins which provide great sheltered spots to enjoy the beauty and magic of the place.

        If you would like any more info please feel free to contact me on ableasebourne@hotmail.com
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Summer Solstice 2011 by Anonymous on Friday, 08 July 2011
I've heard that during the Solstice someone found a lamb on the moor that had both its ears cut off, it subsequently died, does anyone have any further information?
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Re: FIRE ON STANTON MOOR by Aimeeb-b on Wednesday, 25 May 2011
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Lucky the rangers have split up the moor with fire lanes of burnt heather patches to protect the wider landscape. Glad no one was hurt though.
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Re: FIRE ON STANTON MOOR by AngieLake on Sunday, 15 May 2011
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There was one heck of a thunderstorm in that area last Monday as my son and I were driving back from Arbor Low via Youlgrave. I'd actually intended to go up to the Nine Ladies but missed my turning and so we just went on to Derby. Horizontal lightning and crack of thunder overhead at Darley Dale!
Lovely sunny morning at Bakewell, before heavy rain and hail after lunch. This died off enough for us to enjoy a dry sunny visit to Arbor Low, luckily. Then back in car another hailstorm and rumbles of thunder.
I don't know why but it's nearly always thundery or 'heavy' at A.Low.
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Re: FIRE ON STANTON MOOR by Anonymous on Sunday, 15 May 2011
There were no campers in that area. The fire obviously started on the top path, on dry ground with 30Kt easterly winds. A cigarette would be more than enough to start that fire which accelerated easily by the wind. There were campers west of the fire, away from the dry heather, however, fire tends to follow wind direction rather than towards it. I did see a group of campers helping to put out the fire and help the farmer direct the sheep to safety!! The campers on the moor generally have a strong feeling towards protecting the moor and it's wildlife. There are always exceptions to the rule of course, just like walkers not being careful with cigarettes!! You may also not be aware that some of the campers regularly pick up litter left by others, re-seed fire pits left by others and actually care for the moor. Try talkin to a few of them and see for yourself! All the same, very sad about the fire and it's destruction and hope this doesn't happen again.
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FIRE ON STANTON MOOR by Blingo_von_Trumpenstein on Monday, 02 May 2011
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Hey folks, Does anyione have details of what has been burnt over the weekend on Stanton Moor. Sounds like 800 square metres has gone but not too near to the Ladies. Please let me know that they are alright. I can't get up there for a week so must find out soon.
Thanks in advance of replies

Blingo_von_T
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    Re: FIRE ON STANTON MOOR by Anonymous on Wednesday, 04 May 2011
    Calm down dear! A swathe of heather on the west side of the moor near to the Trig point has gone but not anywhere near to the stones. It will eventually recover but it remains to be seen how the ecology of the moor will be affected. One has to hope that the farmer did not lose any sheep or lambs to the flames.
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      Re: FIRE ON STANTON MOOR by Blingo_von_Trumpenstein on Wednesday, 04 May 2011
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      Phew - thanks for the info. It is a relief to know the monuments are alright. The cairns near the Trig have been burnt many times over the centuries so one more won't hurt too much. I too hope the sheep escaped unharmed.
      Blingo
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    Re: FIRE ON STANTON MOOR by Sunny100 on Wednesday, 04 May 2011
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    Has David Cameron joined The Meg Portal. "Calm down dear"!!!!
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    Re: FIRE ON STANTON MOOR by Anonymous on Saturday, 14 May 2011
    It was quite a large area that went up in flames in an area used by ground nesting birds and possibly caused by campers who were camping in the area that morning.
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      Re: FIRE ON STANTON MOOR by Anonymous on Tuesday, 31 May 2011
      Do you mean the campers from Barn Farm? Probably a chav family, carelessly tossing a fag end into the heather. I was there whilst the moor burned, it started from the top of the moor on the West path and burned in a westerly direction driven rapidly by a strong wind.
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      Re: FIRE ON STANTON MOOR by Anonymous on Sunday, 12 June 2011
      "possibly caused by campers"...I'll counter that:

      ..possibly caused by a local walking their dog and dropping a cigarette?

      An equally unsubstantiated, purile and pernicious statement with no basis in fact. I was camped on the moor that night and I can categorically state that there were no campers on the top of the moor - WHERE THE FIRE ORIGINATED !
      No-one is denying that there are irresponsible folk who stay on the moor, but then what section of society is without its share of idiots? I suspect that the quoted remark is from a local villager, eager to spread this malicious and unnecessary gossip to the detriment of the shared enjoyment of this magical place.

      Remember, the moor is owned by A.T., not you or I.

      Lastly, has no-one considered the fact that only a couple of weeks prior to this incident there was controlled strip burning taking place? Is that not also a possible cause to be considered? I for one would like to view the Fire Service incident log of the day and the outcome of any investigation held since. Until then, keep your brickbats under control and please stop being so nastily divisive.
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        Re: FIRE ON STANTON MOOR by Anonymous on Friday, 17 June 2011
        "Purile and pernicious statement", now that is inflammatory if ever I heard, there were people camping in the area that morning when I was walking up there because I could smell their campfire, where it was exactly I could not say but 8 hours later the moor is on fire.

        I would counter the local smoking dog walker as there are so few people who smoke now that there are far more camp fires on the moor than there are cigarette smokers.

        As for the moor being accepted as being owned by AT/Stanton Estate, you are accepting that the land is not yours or anybody elses but him on which to camp or make campfires but still you (and others) persist in ignoring his wishes in that there is No Camping and No Fires. Is that irresponsible, idiotic or plain anarchic?
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          Re: FIRE ON STANTON MOOR by Anonymous on Wednesday, 22 June 2011
          So with it been a Bank Holiday, there was obviously not hundreds of people camped at Barn Farm and none of them could have gone for a walk and dropped a cig then, because according to you none of them smoke do they? There are around ten million adult cigarette smokers in the UK, that’s approximately 1 in 5, there more at a guess probably had 200 - 300 people walk across it on the day so that would be 40 -60 cig smokers. (Cancer Research UK). So by your reckoning there were more than 60 camp fires. Ridiculous.

          Having walked the entire moor and visited every potential camp site, remarked on how few people were camped up there that weekend and I agree with the former also having been present whilst out exploring, that there were no camp fires in the vicinity. Oh and by the way, moor fires have been known to start from a droplet of water intensifying the suns rays.

          As you say you did not know where the fire you could smell was located, however you imply it started the fire 8 hours later which is like any theory put forwards in this forum is pure speculation including my own. It's just makes you feel better and righteous by blaming the campers.
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            Re: FIRE ON STANTON MOOR by Anonymous on Wednesday, 22 June 2011
            I agree with you entirely. The fire obviously started along the top path and was driven by the strong easterly winds. Fire tends not to work against wind so effectively!! There were no campers in that area and to my knowledge of being a regular camper on the moor, there have been no camps in that area over at least the last 15 years. The area hit by the fire had no campers near it. My camp was the closest, some 400yards north of the area where the fire almost certainly started which could have accounted for a smoke smell, but not at the time of day that the fire occurred. I am in agreement that it is nothing to do with campers. There are some idiots that camp on the moor. There are idiots everywhere. Regular campers also dislike the idiots. What can we do about it? Hitler failed in removing idiots from society so how do we normal folk stand a chance? (that was not a serious comment)!
            Please remember that people have been camping on the moor for about 4000yrs. Long before Stanton and Birchover were built to help with destruction of the ancient monument. Stop being so pompous and chill out a bit. The campers won't go away you know! You'll die from stress first. Why not try it sometime? You might like it!!
            Thought not!
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              Re: FIRE ON STANTON MOOR by Anonymous on Thursday, 30 June 2011
              Time to end this thread methinks, now that Godwins Law has been effected.
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Re: Wish Tree damage by Anonymous on Sunday, 21 November 2010
I noticed fresh vehicle tracks from the track that runs via the mast and leading onto the moor. I can only assume that the cutting of the tree is the work of the land owner. Typical!

i do think it is a little trashy, hanging things from the tree. I am a Pagan also. Offerings are lovely, but it seems that over recent years any old trash is tied to it, including beer cans!!

Hate damage to the tree! Also hate to see that evry walker on the moor seems to find it acceptable to stand on as many of the stones as possible. One of the stones has started to lean more over the past 5 years or so. How long til its over?!
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Wish Tree damage by Anonymous on Sunday, 21 November 2010
I went onto the moor today. Upon arriving at the circle I was shocked to see the oak nearest the circle had been cut... only the bottom few branches near the ground, but still. I was horrified. I remember walking under this magical tree, which is celebrated by many, for years. It has never before been cut in this way. Now no one will be able to hang offerings on its branches. Although the tree will probably benefit in the long run from a little pruning, is nothing sacred on Stanton Moor? I wondered if this is a new attempt by the landowner to curb 'pagans' and others use of the tree? Does anyone know who did this? Also they left the remains of the tree just round the corner, with offerings still hanging from the cut branches- very wrong and disrespectful I think. Surely this will just be used by the campers?

saddened...

Keefstone
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    Re: Wish Tree damage by holger_rix on Sunday, 21 November 2010
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    Disrespectful?

    And how about people like me who go out to the megaliths and want to see the un-touched and un-changed nature AS IT IS ?
    You think it is repectful to put your trash on the stones or in the trees, whatever? I usually throw those 'offerings' right into the next bin.
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      Re: Wish Tree damage by Anonymous on Monday, 22 November 2010
      No nature is untouched or unchanged. The tree is very magical and people showed that by placing meaning into it, literally. Whist I do not condone people leaving non-natural items, I find the offerings add value and meaning to the site, rather than detract from it. Also I did not say that I have ever left anything on the tree. I use the motto 'don't change the site let the site change you'. I understand all sides, but do you?
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Re: Summer Solstice by Anonymous on Saturday, 23 October 2010
Guys, being keyboard warriors isn't going to sort anything out regarding the camping, etc. You need to work together to stamp out the irresponsible few. Besides, it could be a lot worse - Pikeys could move in then the whole place will be trashed!

T.
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    Re: Summer Solstice by Anonymous on Saturday, 13 November 2010
    good point.

    i like it!

    anyone seen the new signs up regarding prosecution over camping?
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      Signs by Anonymous on Sunday, 21 November 2010
      The signs were put up in 2008 by the landowners. They are doing all they can to reduce camping and fires.
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Re: Summer Solstice by Anonymous on Wednesday, 14 April 2010
To all the lovers of Stanton Moor and the Nine Ladies,

Hope you are all well and came throught the dark period of the year feeling positive for the year ahead.

I know its early as yet but wanted to begin to raise awareness in advance for this year's solstice. It will be interesting to see if his lordship has any plans to block the parking places with large rocks again as he has for the last 2 years. It may be worth some time sending correspondance to the highways dept to find out what they have planned to prevent this happening again and to consider prosecution!! If i placed a load of rubble in the parking spots it would be classed as fly-tipping and be prosecuted!!

Over the past year a small number of us have at considerable expense been digging out and re-seeding fire pits all over the moor. This has taken very well in most places. I was very sad again last solstice to see that the circle and king stone were given very little respect by most. Perhaps they dont realise the significance and only attended for a party!

There were new fire pits very close to the circle, a small fire in the circle and a fire against the king stone which was extinguished immediately thanks to a concerned passer-by.
It was also very clear that muppets were again trying to burn live wood.

I feel that part of the problem was that some kind fool put an advert in local press that there was to be a free rave on at the stones!!! As a result several large groups turned up with no interest in looking after the sacred site, but to just party on without a care and without any understanding of the damage caused.

In addition to the damage caused there was an air ambulance that was called to recover a girl from a tent next to the circle who was worse for wear having overindulged in some way i presume.

All this doesn't fair well in the hope that the solstice celebrations are going to continue at the nine ladies without opposition from numerous authorities.

We need to work together to try and minimise damage to the stones and the moor, and raise awareness to those who dont understand the impact of lighting fires all over. If we don't then the land owner will be well within reason and his rights to stop access to the site.

Personally I was totally disgusted with what i saw happening last summer solstice when i walked over to the circle and camped well away from the area, not returning until they had all left and at that point started to clear up the aftermath.

Is anyone else interested in putting together ideas on how this could be prevented or at least limited this year? I feel it would be in the best interests of anyone who cares for the moor to get involved before we are denied access in the future.

Give it some thought!

Cheers, Ben
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Hello again by Anonymous on Sunday, 28 February 2010
Hello Skeeth,

Not heard anything from you in quite some time. Thought you might have been up on the moor taking photo's. The human turds you seem so fond of photographing are much easier to find this time of year while the grass is short. Its a shame you aren't int dog turds too, there are some fine examples seen recently on the main drag from stanton up to the mast.
On a happier note, you may find that alot of hard work has been carried out over the past few months in removing trash and also seeding the fire pits and other areas of damaged ground at the personal expense of a few regular campers. I do hope you approve of these improvements.

Regards

Ben
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Re: Nine Ladies by Anonymous on Wednesday, 16 December 2009
Happy solstice to all lovers of the Nine Ladies. The sun shall return !!
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Re: Nine Ladies by Anonymous on Monday, 14 December 2009
does anyone know about any possible alignments or energy lines on Stanton Moor or around the Nine Ladies?
Thanks
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Re: Nine Ladies by coldrum on Wednesday, 07 October 2009
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Pastscape:

http://www.pastscape.org.uk/hob.aspx?hob_id=311392
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Damage to Nine Ladies by Anonymous on Sunday, 04 October 2009
Really sad to go up to the the Nine Ladies yesterday and find that someone has scratched their name onto one of the stones!
Apart from this the site is looking beautiful. Most of the evidence from solstice has now been removed (including the boulders mentioned above).
Also really pleased to see the deer back in the area of Lees Cross quarry where the site used to be. : )
The beauty of the moor never becomes mundane how ever many times i go up there... a truly magnificent place!
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Re: Illegal boulders in all laybys by Anonymous on Monday, 03 August 2009
The boulders have at last gone! Hope that the illegal placement doesn't occur again. Hope everyone is well.
There has been furthwer injury to cars.
I was talking with a camper this weekend who reported having sour milk poured into his heating vent. Not a very nice act. Obviously targeted due him camping. Everyone please be careful until the repeated offender has been caught and brought to justice!!
Anyone interested in finding a way to catch the offender as the police have not managed it and it has cost me enough?

Ben
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    Re: Illegal boulders in all laybys by Anonymous on Saturday, 20 February 2010
    If it kicks off again this year, I am going to set up an OP (Observation Post). Can't let years of military service go to waste.
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Skeeth very quiet all of a sudden . . . by Anonymous on Saturday, 01 August 2009
You've gone very quiet all of a sudden Skeeth.

What's up?

Something you don't want to talk about?


Georgios Papadopoulos
Head of Security
Kwik-Fit (Birchover branch)

X X X
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    Re: Skeeth very quiet all of a sudden . . . by skeeth on Saturday, 08 August 2009
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    Happy Christmas.
    Let's talk about Christian festivals, how's that for starters?
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    Re: Skeeth very quiet all of a sudden . . . by Anonymous on Saturday, 20 February 2010
    Perhaps she has popodopoloffed back to Skiathos?
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Re: Illegal boulders in all laybys by Anonymous on Friday, 19 June 2009
Boulders reported to Highways Agency. They seemed very interested to hear from me...

Happy Solstice one and all
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Re: Illegal boulders in all laybys by Anonymous on Thursday, 18 June 2009
Usual solstice stuff - fairly definite talk of a sniffer dog at entrance to moor, boulders all round the laybys etc etc.

Why do they try to criminalise everyone who is celebrating the solstice?

There will be no trouble at all (as always) and it is a complete waste of police resources.
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    Re: Illegal boulders in all laybys by Anonymous on Thursday, 18 June 2009
    I completely agree. Why does the landowner see himself as above the law? The boulders will cause more trouble, people will still come and park, but just further down the road, making it difficult to pass, like last year. What happens if someone crashes into it, who is held liable? What happens when I met a quarry lorry on the road- there is no passing place. What happens when my elderly Mum wants to visit the circle this weekend, but has no access to the 'easiest' route?

    These boulders don't just affect the campers, but us locals too feel the impacts.

    A concerned local.
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Illegal boulders in all laybys by Anonymous on Thursday, 18 June 2009
Suprise suprise - he's done it again - even though he was told it was illegal and forced to remove them last year.

Happy solstice Thornhill.

Feel free to complain to the Highways Agency about Adrian Thornhill's illegal placement of large boulders all around Stanton Moor.
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Skeeth by Anonymous on Wednesday, 17 June 2009
Just thought I'd have a look wots been hapening on here recentley. Happy solstice everybody. I think there will be a lot of human turds for you to photograph come sunday skeeth. Dont get too close or you mite end up wearing one of mine. hahaha
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    Re: Skeeth by skeeth on Thursday, 18 June 2009
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    Better that you don't fall backwards into your own. On an observational point, a "mite" is an insect, the correct spelling is "might", educated? I don't think so.
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      Re: Skeeth by Anonymous on Thursday, 18 June 2009
      Skeeth... maybe you so go and actually talk to the people on Stanton Moor during the solstice celebrations, rather than using a internet chat room to voice your concerns.

      I think if you approached people appropriately you may find their reactions to suprise you. Educate them, help them love and respect the place more. Last year I attempted to speak to each camp and gave them bin bags, butt bins and shared my knowledge of the place. When people were camping too close to the stones, or lighting fires under the oak tree, we spoke to them with respect and we were treated with respect back, often people replied, 'oh I didn't realise'.

      The people who camp on the moor are not there to cause trouble or upset people, they are taking a break from the cities, celebrating in their own ways, nature and escaping from the routinised and systematic domination exerted on us by institutional arrangements.

      The moor represents to a free place to many and attracts many different types of people during the solstice time including families, retired people, pagans, groups of friends from the cities. These people are not demons, in fact they contribute to our society, the are teachers, students, civil servants, nurses, managers, factory workers, mothers, sisters and brothers.

      One thing the battle of endcliffe and lees cross quarries has taught me is: compromises can be made, but ALL parties need to be involved. it is only when we stand together that we have any power and potential for change. Stereotyping, agressive attitudes and an unwillingness to accept others views does not help (and this has happened on all sides on this website alone).

      Can we please work together to find solutions for all those involved?

      Best wishes to all and happy solstice

      Ann
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      Re: Skeeth by skeeth on Thursday, 18 June 2009
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      Ann,

      I am glad you have acknowledged that the aggressive attitude of some users of this site has not contributed to a level and moderate discussion but I do not believe that it was me that threatened to throw a turd, it was a potential camper. Does that help their cause or show them to be caring and considerate people? Nobody is denying the desire and partial right to celebrate the Solstice on the Moor but should that celebration have an impact on others by the leaving of rubbish and lighting of fires, then the right become questionable. The simple edict for one and all is RESPECT, respect for the land, respect for others and respect for the views of others. People may not like to see photographs of excrement on the Moor, personally I would prefer not to see human excrement on the Moor but if people acted responsibly and with respect for the Moor, the requirement to raise awareness would not arise.
      If you are going up there, I hope you enjoy yourself, to the person who made the stupid and juvenile "threat", I hope you contract food poisoning!
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Solstice approaches . . . by Anonymous on Tuesday, 09 June 2009
Please please respect the area if you are heading up for the Solstice. Every year the damage caused at Solstice is equal to the whole of the damage from the rest of the year put together. It took a lot of work from a few people last year to tidy up.

Please - no new firepits.
Please - don't damage trees.
Please - respect the monuments
Please - have fun

Also if you encounter any damage to your vehicles whilst parked near the moor you must report it to the police and post back here - there have been may incidents over the last 5 years and we are closing in on the culprit(s).
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    Re: There are boulders in the road!! by Anonymous on Wednesday, 17 June 2009
    They have put boulders around the moor. Is that legal? I wanted to walk around the moor today and couldn't park.
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The land is ours- summer solstice is coming... by Anonymous on Monday, 25 May 2009
The land is ours...the land is yours
the time is now...the truth is law
re-claim the land
re-claim the streets and houses
re-claim the land
re-claim the hills and valleys
[ Reply to This ]
    Re: The land is ours- summer solstice is coming... by Anonymous on Sunday, 20 August 2023
    Bellend.
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Re: thanks to protestors by Anonymous on Monday, 25 May 2009
Can I just say a massive thank you to the protestors for keeping to their word and giving this site back to nature. I have been visiting this magical part of the world for many years and I must say they have done such a fantastic job. In fact it is now one of the cleanest parts of the Peak District!!

Hopefully all the scare mongers from the local villages (you know who you are) who thought this place would turn into some sort of travellers site are now thankful for what has been achieved (by all involved) and learned a valued lesson about judging people who they do not know (and indeed, care not to know).

Three cheers for the protestors: thanks so much for guarding this special site for over ten years. The moor will not be the same without you guys keeping an eye on things.

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    Re: thanks to protestors by Anonymous on Tuesday, 26 May 2009
    Thanks. it took a lot of effort from everybody involved but was always part of our plans.

    Rock on
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Re: Vandalism on Stanton Moor by skeeth on Wednesday, 13 May 2009
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Photos now uploaded to Flickr.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/37091661@N06/sets/72157616347010880/

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Vandalism on Stanton Moor by skeeth on Tuesday, 12 May 2009
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Over the last weekend there were a number of campers using the old Stanton Moor quarry which is outside of the Scheduled Ancient Monument boundary but still worth preserving. For reasons known better to themselves, they have dismantled the outer wall of one of the old quarry buildings to use the stones for fireplaces etc. This is criminal damage pure and simple and cannot be condoned by anybody but like minded vandals. In addition they left behind dead batteries, tin cans, the remains of a tent and silver foil. If you do read this, please do not come back, you are not welcome unless you want to leave your address so formal action can be taken against you for criminal damage and litter offences.
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    Re: Vandalism on Stanton Moor by Anonymous on Friday, 15 May 2009
    Hello Skeeth,

    I think I am aware of the campers that you saw. I was on the moor that weekend and did see them. When I looked over from above there was no damage at the time but I didn't recognise them as regular visitors.

    Might I add that I did also catch a large group of walkers (about 10 of them) taking a wall apart in one of the old quarries. When we asked what they were doing they informed us that they were searching for a 'geocache'. If you are not aware of what these are, it is like a treasure hunt for walkers using GPS devices to help them locate a hidden box in which they exchange 'treasure' and put entries in a note book provided.

    As you can imagine, 4 adults and 6 children can create alot of damage in a short space of time to dry stone wall. Efforts are being made on our part to contact Garmin (the GPS manufacturer) to remove this and 2 other geocache's hidden on the moor. I can assure you that the damage left there is a sorry sight.

    Please don't feel that I am trying to defend the action of these campers for leaving litter or for dismantling the wall but only a few weeks ago I noticed a group of young lads from Stanton village riding thier bikes over ramps built in that very same quarry. I sat and enjoyed a can, watching while they improved thier ramps with the aid of a spade. The substructure of these ramps were actually parts of the wall at the quarry opening. The next day when walking again we found that the same lads had built an obstacle to jump over with thier bikes. This was made from loads of live wood, still with leaves. The leaves were used as the primary obstacle that they had been jumping through.

    Please do not feel that I am trying to re-create another on-line slanging match. I just felt that I ought point out that residents of your own village are also guilty of such vadalism. I have seen whwere two of them live having been a regular visitor for such a long time. I presume that you would not feel it necessary to propose further criminal action be taken against these children on those grounds. Are they also 'like minded vanadals' to which you refer? Or are they simply children who are having fun and don't really understand the impact of the damage. The latter I feel. Probably similar to the campers.
    I did notice from the distance I was at that they were not burning live wood which is a bonus at least.

    Please don't forget that we both want the same thing. A beautiful moor for all to enjoy.

    Hope you are of good health.

    Kind regards

    Ben
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      Re: Vandalism on Stanton Moor by skeeth on Sunday, 17 May 2009
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      Ben,

      Good to hear from you, thought you had dropped off the end of the world. I know that the local lads have course in the old Stanton Quarry and I have no problem with that but the damage I saw was caused by campers on two occasions. The local kids do not leave baked bean tins, batteries and dog food containers or build campfires. The kids have been told about riding on the moor but I suspect that as they see adults doing it, they do not see why they should be singled out. I would rather they be riding their bikes in the old quarry than the Sheepwalk Wood where they were before and, sorry to say, wrecking some things. Unfortunately the wreckage in Stanton Quarry last weekend was from campers, hence the abandoned tent.

      Enjoy life, it is too short not to!!
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Stanton Moor Project by Anonymous on Monday, 27 April 2009
Sheffield Hallam University interpretation Project:
Researchers at Sheffield Hallam are producing a fun and educational webiste for the site and as such are collecting lots of different perspectives about the landscape and will be presenting them in a inclusive and creative way.

Take a trip down memeory lane,
Re-trace your footsteps
Live again
Your thoughts and feelings for this place
That is held with such grace.
For you are part of its history
Fulfilling a role in the mystery
A player that dances beautifully
To create and weave living energy...

If you have any thoughts about the managaement, use, values, represenations of Stanton moor then please get in touch, togetjher we can make a difference. We are very flexible regarding the type of info you could contribute, anything from a poem, a piece of writing, a meeting or a dance, it's up to you!

Please contact Aimee on
ableasebourne@hotmail.com
Thanks

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Calm Down by Anonymous on Wednesday, 08 April 2009
Dear All,
I have been periodically been looking at this progressive feud. I am a resident of Birchover. Now retired I walk my dog on the moor every second day thereabouts anyway. It is a beautiful place especially now spring has eventually arrived. I have lived locally for over twenty years and regularly walked across the moor to stanton to visit a friend.
In my time here things have never really changed so much with the attidude towards camping by the stone circle. From my understanding it has been like this since the sixties.
I have noticed over the past 10 years that the moor is much cleaner than I have ever known. There are less campers by the stone circle and it looks far nicer than I have ever seen it. The campers that I have spoken to have been polite and tidy. I have noticed that in and among the old quarries there have been more campers or evidence of them being there. Again, on the whole very nice people and with a genuine interest in the wildlife. There are some that I have seen many times in all weathers. I have seen some in the Red Lion who are regular faces and again very nice people. I have met many of the people from the tree top houses who are again very nice. They have done a brilliant job in my opinion and that of all the people I have spoken with.
I am sorry that there has been damage to property. That should never happen.
I reckon that the moor is better now than I have ever seen it. There are worse things that could be going on up on the moor. I think that you should calm down and stop being so argumentative. You are likely to blow things out of all proportion if you carry on like you are. The campers I have met as I say all are very nice and tidy. They wont stop camping up there so a good idea is to encourage resonsible behavior.
I have seen more rubbish in chatsworth than on the moor. It is not as bad as you reckon. Better than i have seen over the years gone by. If you dont mind me asking how long have you lived in the area.
I would rather not let people know my name. I hope you understand why. I will not be making a habit of writing on here I just like to look at web sites of the area and enjoy reading what is written. I have not enjoyed what I have read over the last week or two though. I hope you resolve your feud. All the best.
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    Re: Calm Down by Anonymous on Wednesday, 08 April 2009
    The world hugs you
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    Re: Calm Down by Anonymous on Thursday, 09 April 2009
    Lovely comments Mr Birchover.

    I wish there were more like you.

    Kind Regards
    Ben
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Re: The other side of Stanton Moor by Anonymous on Monday, 06 April 2009
Dear Skeeth,

Thanks for your photo's. Just had a look. This is my point. The mess you refer to is just the sort that is picked up and carried away by such as I. The green wood that you refer to as being burned is generally the waste that has been thrown over the fence from the land owner's recent felling.

I do fully understand your points raised regarding the damaging of live trees and waste left behind. This is something which we certainly share opinions of. As for the ones who took their cars up on the moor, yes i agree, it is wrong. They are the ones who cause the damage which we endevour to rectify on their leaving. There is also a group of campers from the sheffield direction who similarly leave heaps of trash. Always in the same place, on the left of the track you use leaving the village. Again as a team effort of like minded people this mess is disposed of.

There are different types of people that use the moor as I am sure you are well aware. The ones who you have been communicating with share your opinions of the protection of the moor and its wildlife.

Sorry to hear that the majority of the village is antipagan. The pagan faith has been practiced here long before the village as we now know it was built! It won't go away and neither will the people who travel great distances to be on the moor. It might be an idea to accept rather than fight the situation and perhaps a structure could be established where harmony might occur?? It is the case as I stress again, the regular campers of the moor love the nature and beauty it has to offer and want it damaged even less than you. It is a minority who give a bad reputation for all.

Your comment regarding the carrying of axes and knives. Camping knives are still openly sold in camping accessory stores. It is legal to have a knife in your posession if it is for a particular purpose. There is one chap I know on the moor who is brilliant at carving and carries a set of knives for this purpose. I do agree that if someone is wondering around with a Rambo type knife hanging from his belt then it could be seen as intimidating. I am sure however that you didn't feel worried by seeing a swiss army knife or similar. A bramble bush is literally more menacing!

It isn't a recent happening where campers visit the moor. It isn't a recent fashion. It is no worse than it has been in the past. Perhaps numbers increased due to the protester camp over the past decade. But you must agree what a wonderful job they have done with such commitment over the past decade. Well done! They have helped to protect the moor and also maintain stanton as a quaint village with still elevated value on the properties. Quarries tend to devalue house prices in places like this.

When Solstice comes round again, the same people will be walkin around the moor asking people not to try burning live wood, not to create new fire damage to the ground and to take trash with them as they leave. Those same people will be walking round for the days that follow clearing up after those who left mess. Lets just hope that the road isn't damaged again this year by the illegal placing of large rocks in the road-side parking places!

Perhaps you should consider a way in which you could accept and understand the regular campers as it seems that interests and opinions are shared.

Kind Regards

Ben
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    Re: The other side of Stanton Moor by skeeth on Monday, 06 April 2009
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    Ben,

    I cannot speak for all residents of the village but I do not think there is a general "anti pagan" attitude, what annoys people is the indescriminate parking, the litter and the damage to the moor. I think a number of residents respect your wishes to practice your religion, some may view it as "barking mad" but that does not mean they will resort to damaging cars as a protest.

    The rocks were not actually illegally placed, they were put onto land that once formed part of the grass verge but over the years have become damaged and accepted as formal parking spaces. The landowner was within his rights to put down the rocks and last years Solstice was quieter as a result. You know as well as I that the Solstice is hi-jacked by people with no interest in paganism and is just used as an excuse for partying and they will give no respect to the moor or the village. Classic example last year was the amount of bottles deliberately broken in the field leading up to the moor from the village, the field was occupied by cows and the bottles broken right where they clearly walked. Get rid of the party crowd and a lot of the problems will go, this behaviour would not be acceptable at Stonehenge, so why should we have it to deal with?

    [ Reply to This ]
      Re: The other side of Stanton Moor by Anonymous on Wednesday, 08 April 2009
      Skeeth,

      Rocks were removed from around the monument in an attempt to prevent fires. This was not the smartest move as now there are no ways for people to isolate the fires and protect the ground.

      You are wrong about the rocks in the roadside. If you are going to get legal in your opinions at least research it first.

      Please don't damage my car next time i'm on the moor. Not that i'm accusing you of any previous damage of course, i would just like you not to start!!

      I don't like you and doubt that in reality anyone does. I did have an open mind but you managed to change that. Well done!

      ben
      [ Reply to This ]
        Re: The other side of Stanton Moor by skeeth on Wednesday, 08 April 2009
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        Ben,

        I've had further time to ponder your comments above and will take you to task on a number of points.
        1. What have the rocks around the Stones got to do with it? The simple and unavoidable fact is that no-one repeat no-one should be camping on the moor or setting fires. The area around the Stones is a Scheduled Ancient Monument and should be protected as such. You cannot have it both ways, either the Nine Ladies are protected by SAM status or nothing is protected, you have to abide by the rules of SAM, therefore NO FIRES.
        2. Where is your evidence that the boulders on the roads were illegally placed. Derbyshire Dales did kick up a fuss about them and the Stanton Estates were not prepared to fight the case but the laybys have been caused by long term illegal driving on the grass verges.
        3. Your comment about damaging your car is juvenile and purile.
        4. You don't like me? Do I care, does anyone care? NO. It is the sort of response that I would expect to hear in a primary school playground issued by an 8 year old.


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          Re: The other side of Stanton Moor by Anonymous on Wednesday, 08 April 2009
          Skeeth,

          My point again. You are an argumentative fool. I tried to share your views and get along with you. You could only find way to being rude to me.

          My true colours are bright and inviting. Yours certainly are not, hence my comments placed last night. I was polite and responsible and you were unecessarily rude to me.

          I do not camp by the circle and certainly do not have fires near it. I try to discourage such activity.

          I am not 8 years old and have nothing to do with primary schools. Do you?

          Please answer my question from last night. Did you remove the plastic bands left on the moor? Did you clear up the rubbish that was on the moor or did you simply photograph it and walk on? I know the answer. You have no right to to morally preach to me. You are a pathetic serial complainer with no standing, no friends and no life.

          Have a bad day, Ben
          [ Reply to This ]
          Re: The other side of Stanton Moor by skeeth on Wednesday, 08 April 2009
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          "My true colours are bright and inviting", err followed by "Have a bad day, Ben", bit difficult to align those comments. You ignore the rules because it suits you, somebody damages cars because it suits them, explain the difference to me.

          Exactly what part of "I don't like you" is polite?

          Hope we have a very wet summer. That is negative. And yes I did remove the beer can surrounds but not all the rubbish because for some unknown reason I have not found a way of getting the council to provide me with an additional bin for all the other peoples rubbish. You keep up the good work but in a perfect world you would not have to.
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      Re: The other side of Stanton Moor by skeeth on Wednesday, 08 April 2009
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      ben,

      Your true colours have come through at last. Do I care that you like or dislike me - no, it is irrelevant. Let us hear your legal viewpoint on the rocks in the laybys, or do you not have an argument and have had to resort to accusatory diatribe?

      My mind is open, why is yours so closed?
      [ Reply to This ]

The other side of Stanton Moor by skeeth on Saturday, 04 April 2009
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Should there be any doubt as to the damage being caused to the Moor by campers, please have a look at the photos on Flickr, hopefully the attached link will work.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/37091661@N06/sets/72157616347010880/
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    Re: The other side of Stanton Moor by Anonymous on Monday, 06 April 2009
    Whilst there is genuine rubbish is left behind by inconsiderate campers, who we despise for their ignorant ways, don't exaggerate things by showing pictures of wood around campfires that no one can substatiate as dead or live.

    Your picture 'Hacked Tree for instance', if that was alive, there would be sap leaking out at this time of year. The land owner has cut down hundresd of trees recently, and until it dries out it will resemble live wood. Same again for 'another tree that committed suicide' and 'Evidence that trees do commit suicide on Stanton Moor'. This is bordering on sensatialism. You are not a tabloid journalist by any chance are you? By the way 'Another campfire' is the same fire as the picture immediatly before it.

    The pics of the general rubbish are very damning, good work, we need to expose these fiends that are ruining our moor..
    [ Reply to This ]
    Re: The other side of Stanton Moor by skeeth on Monday, 06 April 2009
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    Sorry but the wood that I photographed was fresh, I do know new from old wood. Yes the landowners have cut down a large number of trees which I believe has been done after discussion with the relevant authorities. The branches that are lying around the moor have chainsaw cut ends, the wood I saw had been hacked with an axe and some of it had been cut with a saw. There is plenty of evidence around of campers cutting down trees and using them on fires, you and I both realise that they will never burn but that does not stop them trying.

    No I'm not a journalist but a concerned local resident who just wishes that all persons would treat the moor with some respect. I could produce fresh photographs almost every week of the year of new campfires. People need to understand that the moor is home to deer, badgers, rabbits, hares, squirrels, foxes and that each "inhabitation" of the moor is an infringement on their territories. All camping is detrimental to the moor, one of the camps I photographed is an area used by the deer for night shelter.
    [ Reply to This ]
    Re: The other side of Stanton Moor by skeeth on Tuesday, 05 May 2009
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    May Day weekend was not a good one for the Nine Ladies with a large number of tents around the site, two tents were within feet of the circle which does somewhat dilute the ambience of the area. Allied to the fact that there were fires burning close to the Stones, it was not a good advert for camping on the Moor. In the main the Moor has been left cleaner than of late although the latest disgusting habit is the use of polythene bags for storing human excrement and either leaving it in situ or leaving it at the side of the road. There are still some that leave it in the open air along with the toilet paper, not the most respectful way to treat the country side?. Ben, if you are out there, please try to spread the word about respecting this unique part of the County amongst your peers because respect is what we all endeavour.
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Re: vehicle damage by skeeth on Friday, 03 April 2009
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Ben,

at last someone who actually has a name to respond to. Because the majority of users to this site are hiding under the moniker "anonymous" you may be under the impression that only one person from the village is up in arms, that is not the case. In the same way that some of the people who camp on the moor do not mistreat it, not all the people in the village are anti pagan. Whilst this country still has some freedoms left, how someone wants to spend time on the moor is up to them and their God, but when that time on the moor is spent damaging nature and leaving rubbish, then they become less welcome. I was up there this afternoon and I found two recent camps both with freshly axed branches in fires, one I know was left by a camper last night. Yes the trees that are being cut down do not look good but the trees were originally introduced for felling purposes and they have become too prolific but that does not mean that campers have the right to chop away at the trees that remain. Both of the branches that I found today were green wood, they would have never burnt in a month of Sundays but their removal puts at risk the health of the remaining trees.
As I said earlier today, it puzzles me why people can carry a full can of beer or tin of hot dogs, eat/drink the contents but not have the ability to carry the empty and lighter receptacles off the moor. It is also clear that some campers are carrying knives and axes onto the moor which I would have thought is a criminal offence and remember that if tyres are being slashed then a knife is the tool to do it with.
Personally I have not been rude to campers except for the toe rags from Manchester way a couple of years ago who lifted gates off the hinges and drove just about the edge of the moor and proceeded to drive round on a quad bike toting a couple of airguns. The campers I spoke to last weekend were pleasant but it appears that they were some of those who have cut down a tree and tried to burn it. They may have been educated but so was Tony Blair and who wants people like him on the moor?

There are over 120 households in the village and most of us have the knowledge to use the internet, do not assume that only one person is posting.

If users of the moor were to leave it as they would expect to find it, it would be better for all but that is clearly not the case but there is no evidence to suggest that anyone from the village is slashing tyres. Whilst I can fully understand why someone who has been a victim would be annoyed, the comments of some of the posters from the camping side does nothing to help the situation.
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vehicle damage by Anonymous on Friday, 03 April 2009
I've not looked at this forum for some time and was suprised to see that there is a bit of a dispute between some regular campers and a very angry resident of the village!

It was also interesting to note the amount of damage reported to cars parked over night by campers. I have also had 3 flat tyres in the past 9 months. Now that I think, it does seem strange that about 10% of my visits have resulted in a flat tyre!!

From spending time reading through all the messages posted it seems that the resident of the village has issues with the people that use the circle for religious purposes.

I don't know who you are but you certainly seem to give strong opinions of something you know little of. Over the 14 years of my using the moor to camp and worship I have certainly left the moor with more waste than I created, as have all the kind, caring people I have had the pleasure to meet over this time who share my thoughts. You may be suprised to learn that the majority of fellow campers of the moor and worshipers are very well educated people, many with very respectable types of employment. It is also a thought that if the protester's camp was never created, how many trees would have been destroyed and how many heavy vehicles would be using Stanton as a motorway!

You might be interested to know that many of these people you are so rude to look after the moor and the monuments through the entire year. Re-turf ground where the lesser understanding have fires, clean up trash left by walkers and from those who don't understand. They are good people with good hearts and you really should get off your pedestal for a moment and appreciate what these people have done for the moor!

Regarding the cutting of live wood, have you been on the moor recently and seen the HUNDREDS of tree stumps from recent cutting of all the birch from the moor's perimeter?
You would find that only dead wood is burned by the regular campers. These regular campers that you are so rude to also go round at busy times educating those who don't realise the impact of burning live wood and leaving trash.

Please stop being so agressive. It isn't fair of you.Comments like pseudopagan is a very bad thing to say to these people.

It is also interesting of you to say how people are not welcome in the village. Really!!!!! Not a very sensible comment.

Having read through all the messages posted I would say that you do actually appear as the sort of person to have caused the damage. That is not an accusation, but just see how you have put your self over!

I urge you to perhaps reconsider your views on the people that use the moor. We really are not bad people. In fact we are actually all very nice!

Cheers Ben
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    Re: vehicle damage by Anonymous on Friday, 03 April 2009
    It is this kind of patronising post - which assumes we are all Methodist reactionaries - that really gets up the noses of people in the village. Why do you assume we have no knowledge of neo-pagan (I believe that is the correct term, rather than pseudo-pagan) beliefs or 'alternative' spirituality? We are not idiots, we are not without souls, but we do live on the doorstep and - whether you accept it or not - we put up with some very destructive and unpleasant people who do a lot of damage to our environment. Of course not everyone who visits here is bad, but they are by no means all good, either.

    BTW you show a sad lack of understanding regarding the eco-camp. Anyone in the know knows the quarry company's target was never Lees Cross/Endcliffe quarries, and the camp was set up in the wrong place. Those quarries were mere bargaining counters for the landswap Stancliffe always wanted and eventually got (why not go and have a look at the results of the 'victory' at Dale View quarry - there was no victory, only compromise and the transfer of the damage to some once beautiful, unspoilt meadows full of wildlife and wildflowers).

    Your arrogance is offensive, and you don't have a monopoly on caring.

    EB
    [ Reply to This ]
    Re: vehicle damage by skeeth on Saturday, 04 April 2009
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    Ben,

    Educated people would understand the meaning of the signs when they say "NO CAMPING NO FIRES" There is no addendum to the signs saying "unless you don't feel like it", they are clear and comprehensible. The land owner has the right to lay down some ground rules on how people conduct themselves on his land and whether you agree or disagree about whether one person should own so much land, he is at liberty to law down the law. The bit about persons who fail to abide by the signs being punishable by law is daft and worthless unless they are committing criminal damage or leaving rubbish and unfortunately there are plenty doing that but nothing ever happens. I was up there again this morning and I counted four campsites where rubbish had been left during the last week or so, the rubbish included the plastic binders for holding cans together which can get caught around the necks of animals and cause injury.

    You may well be in a minority and your actions in educating others is laudible but at the end of the day nobody should be camped up there and nobody should be lighting fires. End of.
    [ Reply to This ]
    Re: vehicle damage by Anonymous on Wednesday, 08 April 2009
    Dear Skeeth,

    I took a nice approach to your gestures and opinions. I thought we were agreable on many aspects. I was wrong. You are a narrow minded fool. Are you unemployed and spend your time picking fault with everything that exists?

    Have you any friends? If you were to fail to exist would anyone care.

    Without direct accusations I feel that you are the likely one that damaged the vehicles. You are antagonistic with an abrasive attitude.

    Yes i Know the signs to which you refer. Are all rules adhered to??? the police that this country employs, are they effective all he time??? a bit of plastic could have blown up there!?! Did you pick it up and bring it down from the moor in your pocket so you might save the animals??????? Like we do? Did you clean up the mess you saw and photographed? No you didn't! You took a photo and moved on. You have no interest in the moor. You just have a world of time to be argumentative and ?? destructive??


    No more kind regards from me. I tried!

    Ben
    [ Reply to This ]
    Re: vehicle damage by skeeth on Wednesday, 08 April 2009
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    Yes, very trying!!
    [ Reply to This ]
    Re: vehicle damage by skeeth on Wednesday, 08 April 2009
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    Ben,

    So your nice approach has ceased, that's life.

    I did try to explain to you that my views on Paganism are open, you do what you want to on the Moor but do not allow it to impact on other users.

    Unemployed, I've never been unemployed in my life, have you or are you? As for the comment about ceasing to exist, who are you GOD????

    Rules are there to prevent anarchy, I must suppose you support the right of all to do exactly what they want, arn't those rules the same ones that you want acting upon when your car is damaged. So the law about criminal damage is fine and supportive but the one about rules about not camping and no fires is acceptable to ignore because it goes against your arrogant attitude towards somebody else. You cannot have it both ways, either live within the law or take yourself away, in fact if you did would anyone care?. I for certain would not lose any sleep over your loss because you have shown yourself up to be the bigot, not I

    You have lost the argument and like all losers have resorted to defamation and insult, you will continue to camp on the moor despite the rules, maybe the person who damaged your car will continue to damage your car, there are rules or there are no rules, you decide. You have failed to support your right to camp. As for the comment about the beer can plastic surround blowing onto the moor, maybe it also blew down the trees and all the other rubbish. Face up to it, if there was no camping then there would be no need for you to pick up rubbish left by others. And yes I do bring rubbish back off the moor, your assumption (and that is all it is) about me ignoring the rubbish is wrong, I cannot bring everything down but bottles I always bring back.

    NO FIRES NO CAMPING, live by those rules and we will all benefit.
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      Re: vehicle damage by Anonymous on Wednesday, 08 April 2009
      Skeeth,

      1; I am employed and always have been (except for when I was at university for 6 years).
      2; I only insulted you where I felt necessary and only in response to your insulting manner to me. Don't talk down to people who are being decent to you, it wins you no respect.
      3; There will not be any further damage to vehicles as not only are the police now heavily involved due to the reported extent, but additional security will be employed in the future.
      4; Regarding your request to stop camping on the moor. No!
      5; The rubbish that you photographed was left there. Hypocrit!

      ben
      [ Reply to This ]
      Re: vehicle damage by skeeth on Wednesday, 08 April 2009
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      It would be unlady like of me to respond to your comments in the manner which I think they deserve but your whole mindset is contained within paragraph 4. Britain in 2009 - I'll do exactly as I want because that is my right, put another way - Anarchy in the UK
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      Re: vehicle damage by Anonymous on Thursday, 09 April 2009
      Dear Skeeth,

      Sorry for my recent agressive, insulting remarks. These were very much out of my character. Have a good bank holiday weekend

      Kind Regards

      Ben
      [ Reply to This ]
        Re: vehicle damage by skeeth on Thursday, 09 April 2009
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        Ben,

        your apology is appreciated and accepted, our personal views may not concur but at the end of the day we both want the best for the moor and ALL users whatever their reasons for being there. Hope it's not a washout for you.

        [ Reply to This ]

Stanton Moor Project by Aimeeb-b on Wednesday, 01 April 2009
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Stanton Moor means so much to so many different people (as we can see here).

Sheffield Hallam University are currently running a project inviting people to share their thoughts, feelings and experiences. We are looking for locals, campers, walkers, land-owners, farmers, anyone who has an interest in this place to take part in the research and be part of the consultaion for the future management (practice and policy) of ancient prehistoric sites.

So if you have something to say but feel like no one is listening, or you want to share your experiences we would love to hear from you:

Please contact Miss Blease-Bourne for further information on ableasebourne@hotmail.com

We look forward to hearing from you
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Re: Nine-year protest camp over by Anonymous on Wednesday, 25 March 2009
Sounds like somebody needs some justice
I'll see if I can help catch them
Reasonable force . . .
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Re: Nine-year protest camp over by Anonymous on Wednesday, 25 March 2009
Yeah - I've had my car damaged here too. Post back if you have plans as I want to be involved. Bobby
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Re: Nine-year protest camp over by Anonymous on Tuesday, 24 March 2009
I've also had a slashed tyre whilst parking near Stanton in Peak. I have reported the matter on to the police and I believe they are planning a similar sting type operation. Let's hope we catch them and stop this pathetic and dangerous vandalism.
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    Re: Nine-year protest camp over by Anonymous on Tuesday, 24 March 2009
    Now this is a far more intelligent comment and less aggressive than the previous comment by "anonymous" on the 23rd. Yes slashing tyres is dangerous and I hope someone is brought to book over it.
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    Re: Nine-year protest camp over by Anonymous on Wednesday, 25 March 2009

    What concerns me is that someone is carrying a knife around. I did see two men walking through the village on Sunday afternoon and one had a Swiss army knife on a cord around his neck, thought that was illegal.
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    Re: Nine-year protest camp over by Anonymous on Friday, 03 April 2009
    I've not looked at this forum for some time and was suprised to see that there is a bit of a dispute between some regular campers and a very angry resident of the village!

    It was also interesting to note the amount of damage reported to cars parked over night by campers. I have also had 3 flat tyres in the past 9 months. Now that I think, it does seem strange that about 10% of my visits have resulted in a flat tyre!!

    From spending time reading through all the messages posted it seems that the resident of the village has issues with the people that use the circle for religious purposes.

    I don't know who you are but you certainly seem to give strong opinions of something you know little of. Over the 14 years of my using the moor to camp and worship I have certainly left the moor with more waste than I created, as have all the kind, caring people I have had the pleasure to meet over this time who share my thoughts. You may be suprised to learn that the majority of fellow campers of the moor and worshipers are very well educated people, many with very respectable types of employment. It is also a thought that if the protester's camp was never created, how many trees would have been destroyed and how many heavy vehicles would be using Stanton as a motorway!

    You might be interested to know that many of these people you are so rude to look after the moor and the monuments through the entire year. Re-turf ground where the lesser understanding have fires, clean up trash left by walkers and from those who don't understand. They are good people with good hearts and you really should get off your pedestal for a moment and appreciate what these people have done for the moor!

    Regarding the cutting of live wood, have you been on the moor recently and seen the HUNDREDS of tree stumps from recent cutting of all the birch from the moor's perimeter?
    You would find that only dead wood is burned by the regular campers. These regular campers that you are so rude to also go round at busy times educating those who don't realise the impact of burning live wood and leaving trash.

    Please stop being so agressive. It isn't fair of you.Comments like pseudopagan is a very bad thing to say to these people.

    It is also interesting of you to say how people are not welcome in the village. Really!!!!! Not a very sensible comment.

    Having read through all the messages posted I would say that you do actually appear as the sort of person to have caused the damage. That is not an accusation, but just see how you have put your self over!

    I urge you to perhaps reconsider your views on the people that use the moor. We really are not bad people. In fact we are actually all very nice!

    Cheers Ben
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Re: Nine-year protest camp over by Anonymous on Monday, 23 March 2009
Visitors beware of parking near the friendly locals in Stanton in Peak - they will slash your tyres and vandalise your car. This has happened again over the weekend.
I am setting up several fake target cars that will be moving around the area over the next month and when anything happens - I will be there. I will be extremely angry and the perpetrators will fell my vengence. Anybody with any info please post here.

Somebody will pay for this
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    Re: Nine-year protest camp over by Anonymous on Tuesday, 24 March 2009
    "fell my vengence", is that like chopping down a tree? Well thats the people of Stanton told. Just how do you propose being in several places at once and how do you know it is the residents of the village that are responsible, has someone told you or are you making wild assumptions based on something intangible?
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    Re: Nine-year protest camp over by Anonymous on Tuesday, 24 March 2009
    and talking of chopping down trees, are you one of those campers who ignores the "no camping" and "no fires" signs because you believe it is your God (other deities are available) given right to camp, have fires and chop down trees because you feel like it?
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    Re: Nine-year protest camp over by Anonymous on Wednesday, 25 March 2009
    Actually you have the wrong end of the stick. I do not camp or make fires or chop trees down. I regularly stop people doing such things. I was there on Saturday to spread a friends ashes (not near the stones) and to take archaeo-astronomical measurements through a telescope. I wonder how you know that damage has occured in several places?
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    Re: Nine-year protest camp over by Anonymous on Wednesday, 25 March 2009
    Because " am setting up several fake target cars that will be moving around the area over the next month " posted by someone else who has had a vehicle damaged, so it would be fair to assume that damage has occured in more than one location.
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    Re: Nine-year protest camp over by Anonymous on Wednesday, 25 March 2009
    Peter - you really ought to stop stirring things up.
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    Re: Nine-year protest camp over by Anonymous on Wednesday, 25 March 2009
    Just read all this and my immediate thought is that it is very suspicious that comments have been posted by a local in rapid response to angry comments from victims.
    Why would any local be looking at this web page for any other reason than to wait for a response to damage caused.

    Very very suspicious.
    They just would not be looking here without a specific reason. Just set up loads of night vision video cameras and you'll soon catch them - then hand them over to the Police
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    Re: Nine-year protest camp over by Anonymous on Wednesday, 25 March 2009
    What a half witted comment about locals viewing this website, do you think that it's use is limited to those people who have an interest in megaliths? get real this is the world wide web hence www. That means everywhere in the world not just the world of pagans and stone worshippers, in fact this thread is under one about the protestors. Then to cap it all you state that you will use loads of night vision cameras so if the vandal is using this site, they will possibly think it could be dodgy to damage anything else......DUH as Homer would say
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    Re: Nine-year protest camp over by skeeth on Thursday, 26 March 2009
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    I've just read through the comments above about the damage to cars in the area but as everyone is anonymous it is a bit difficult to work out who is answering who. I am a resident of Stanton and obviously a user of this site but am hacked off with the amount of crap and damage caused to an area of outstanding natural beauty by apparant nature lovers in the form of campers. I was up on the moor this morning and found beer tins, an animal gate from the mast path to the moor left wide open and I would bet that residents are not responsible for such abuse of the area. There is a lot of hyperbole about recriminations and setting up target cars and residents being responsible, these comments drive even larger wedges between the visitors and the residents. What is clear is that the campers should not be camping, the signs are clearly displayed about that and setting fires, but some people are too arrogant to take notice of them, this is what causes resentment. The landowner should do far more to restrict the camping, the Police should do what they are paid to do and everybody should respect both the moor, the property of others and the views of the residents and the amenities of the area. Either last year or the year before there were a number of residents cars damaged on the main road in the village, I don't recall anybody blaming the visitors, unfortunately damage happens everywhere and it is not always directed at individuals or types of people, it is sometimes the actions of brain dead people with no respect for others. Come to think of it, that description could be applied to the campers who have no respect for other peoples land rights or nature..........
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      Re: Nine-year protest camp over by Anonymous on Friday, 27 March 2009
      I go up there top practice my beliefs, not to leave litter and cause damage. I am just as hacked off by people leaving gates open and crap everywhere. I will go round picking it up.

      As for local residents, I once spoke to some lads from Stanton regarding the fire pit they built a few feet away from the King Stone. I have also spoken to people with disposable barbacues and stopped othere getting live wood to burn. What do you do apart from whinge on forums?

      The moor was there and being enjoyed and used by ordinary folk long before the rich took it for them selves and passed laws allowing them to keep it.

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        Re: Nine-year protest camp over by Anonymous on Friday, 27 March 2009
        So why do you think your pseudo-pagan 'beliefs' give you the right to impinge on ordinary folk's rights to enjoy the moor? The many ordinary folk who pass through there have a right to quiet enjoyment, ie a little time at the stones without tents and t***s to spoil the view. NO CAMPING - geddit?
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        Re: Nine-year protest camp over by Anonymous on Friday, 27 March 2009
        Fully agree

        There are plenty of people that go up there to pick litter and to keep an eye on the area

        As for the comment about 'pseudo-pagan' beliefs - I believe that contravenes your human rights and for anyone to denegrate your religious beliefs in any way is an offence under the 2002 Human Rights Act

        Track their IP address and report it to the police as a hate crime
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        Re: Nine-year protest camp over by Anonymous on Friday, 27 March 2009
        Who are you to call my beliefs pseudo you don't know me? I do not for one minute think I have any sort right on impinge on other folks rights to enjoy the moor. If you knew anything about pagans then you would know this.

        You got that wrong like you've got the tent bit wrong. I do not not nor ever have camped adjacent to or within sight of the stones, they are far too important. Geddit?

        Brother - how can I track somones IP please?

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          Re: Nine-year protest camp over by Anonymous on Friday, 27 March 2009
          Not straight forward but fortunately I am a coding wizard...I've already grabbed the IP and reported it to the Police. They take things like this very seriously. So do I
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          Re: Nine-year protest camp over by skeeth on Friday, 27 March 2009
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          Maybe removing the anonymous option would make the forum less confrontational?
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        Re: Nine-year protest camp over by skeeth on Friday, 27 March 2009
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        The no camping and no fires sign is as you enter the moor from any direction and includes the whole area not just the area around the Stones. I think including anti pagan beliefs within the HRA would be a non starter, after all doesn't it need to be religion?
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        Re: Nine-year protest camp over by skeeth on Friday, 27 March 2009
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        After re-reading the alleged breach of someones rights under the HRA, somebody is paranoid to believe that that is an offence or abusive, in fact I cannot see what is wrong with what was said, no swearing, no threats in fact a nothing statement against anyone. Someone needs to get a life!!!
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        Re: Nine-year protest camp over by Anonymous on Saturday, 28 March 2009
        Hi Skeeth, in answer to your question, it is recognised religion. The UK prison system and the British Royal Navy recognizes it as a religion and the Home Office has formally recognised it as such. The Human Rights Act, clearly covers this you should look at Article 9: Freedom of conscience.

        Anonymous on Friday, 27 March 2009 asked me why I thought my beliefs pseudo-pagan 'beliefs' give me the right to impinge on ordinary folk's rights to enjoy the moor? It was subjective and I found this to be personally offensive, it was clearly aimed at me following my earlier post. You wouldn't say something like that to a Muslim, Jew or Christian. Psuedo means false, fraudulent, or pretending to be something it is not. To me the comment was subjective and rather disparaging, I have never thought this the moor is there for all of us to enjoy in our differnt ways.

        You talk about nobody being abusive or offensive yet somone has called my beliefs pseudo, then you imply that someone who is trying to support me is paranoid and needs to get a life!!!.

        How abusive is that?
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        Re: Nine-year protest camp over by skeeth on Saturday, 28 March 2009
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        Notice one essential difference between my post and yours? you have no name, it is difficult for any useful discussion on this thread when everybody is hiding behind the moniker of "anonymous" i will stand corrected on the status of paganism but I was up on the moor this morning and found three beer cans, one illegal camper, two recently chopped/hacked down trees and the animal gate insecure. In addition I found a Grolsch beer can cut into a ribbon and wrapped around a tree. Now if all those things are part of pagan beliefs, it deserves no recognition, if however there are the actions of vandals then it re-enforces my opinion that the moor is being abused and that us as locals resent that. I would no more consider crapping in the centre of St Marks Square as I would on Stanton Moor but people consider acceptable to do the latter. Vandalism takes many forms, leaving beer cans, hacking down trees, lighting fires and letting down tyres, unfortunately they all happen here and the common thread is people illegally camping and parking. If people were to stop treating the moor like their back gardens and more like a shared environment we would all be better off. I have no problem with you and your beliefs, my problem is when those who express a belief and come up here and turn that belief into vandalism. This thread was originally about damage to cars and the accusation by another anonymous person that the residents were to blame, whilst I cannot condone damage to cars I also cannot condone damage to the moor and that is definitely being caused by campers. Enjoy your beliefs but not to the detriment of others.
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          Re: Nine-year protest camp over by Anonymous on Saturday, 28 March 2009
          That's a very level headed response. Joy to you.
          I am absolutely certain that no-one that visits the moor for any form of religious purpose (and there are many) has anything to do with chopping trees down or damage in any way (other than the issue of biodegradable ribbons being attached to the oak tree - another matter for another time) . These are people that literally worship the whole moor and they have every right to do so . We can all feel its magic
          It needs more ranger patrols (I have seen them be very effective in the past) and probably more intervention from concerned onlookers at the slightest sign of a problem. Another point to note is that not everyone (legally and considerately) parked overnight is camping or having fires.

          This whole thread has become very confused by the jumbling of posts
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            Re: Nine-year protest camp over by Anonymous on Monday, 30 March 2009
            Unfortunately intervention by concerned onlookers and indeed by the park rangers is now discouraged as it very often leads to nasty verbal abuse from campers and there is a very real concern that the day will come when someone will be subjected to physical attack. The problem, simply stated, is this: some campers are there to celebrate the moor, some are there to party and it is impossible to separate the two. And unfortunately we are in a situation where there are far more 'bad' guys up there than 'good' guys - that's why the 'new' No Camping rules are in place. Our moor has got itself a national reputation for being a great place to come and camp for free and get off your face and that absolutely has to stop. I appeal to all moor-lovers to PLEASE help us out in this and STOP CAMPING, at least until the message has got out to those who are damaging the moor that their behaviour will not be tolerated.
            I'd like to add that to those speaking of being offended, I'm very offended that someone thinks that local people would stoop to something as low as slashing tyres. To echo another posting, you don't know us: please don't insult us in this way.
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              Re: Nine-year protest camp over by Anonymous on Wednesday, 01 April 2009
              I know for certain it is someone from Stanton in Peak (possibly several people). I shall not post any evidence yet as it is part of an ongoing Police enquiry but rest assured I will prove my accusation in the near future.

              There is no doubt whatsoever so get your head round that and start stooping
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                Re: Nine-year protest camp over by Anonymous on Thursday, 02 April 2009
                We and our neighbours regard this post and several others regarding alleged criminality in Stanton residents as defamatory, and have taken action accordingly. Our information is that police have no suspects in this matter.
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                Re: Nine-year protest camp over by Anonymous on Thursday, 02 April 2009
                I take people damaging my tyres as a direct threat to my life.
                You cannot possibly be as focussed or serious as I am so prepare to eat your words. See post to Skeeth re: last word

                munch munch
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                Re: Nine-year protest camp over by Anonymous on Thursday, 02 April 2009
                Is that Edward Munch the painter?
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              Re: Nine-year protest camp over by skeeth on Thursday, 02 April 2009
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              WTF are you on about, you hide behind the anonymous moniker and make accusations that the village is against you, best for all if you were not to return to Stanton because you just seem to be on course for causing more trouble than there is already. What on earth does the last sentence mean, are we all to walk around with our heads down staring at the ground in a hunched stance like residents of a cave. GET A LIFE!
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              Re: Nine-year protest camp over by Anonymous on Thursday, 02 April 2009
              I'll take that as a direct threat. Excellent.
              Thanks for spreading the word in your village. Mission accomplished
              I now have no need to post anymore on this site so I shall leave you to this 'discussion', feeling as though I have had the last word, and concentrate on tempting the perpetrators into trying it again

              Smell it - and then smell it again
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              Re: Nine-year protest camp over by Anonymous on Thursday, 02 April 2009
              Dear Anonymous (presumably that must be your full name as you have an inability to even identify yourself by username)

              A direct threat can only be issued face to face or name to name and as there are numerous people on here called anonymous, that would be difficult to achieve. As I said before and I'll say again, whoever you are you are not welcome in this village because your attitude is wholly and utterly wrong. How are you going to tempt the perpetrators into trying it again, booby trapped car, night vision cameras, surveillance teams, this is Stanton not Minority Report. As I have said previously, there have been criminal incidents in Stanton in the past and yet I never heard anyone say it was anything to do with the illegal users of the moor. Yes there may be a vandal in the village (in all probability and statistically there could well be, but to blame the whole village is stupid and defamatory. You make it sound (or some other anonymous user) like this is something from the Wicker Man and that the villagers go round meting out rough justice. We all agree that damage to anyones car is wrong but do not, repeat do not, automatically assume that us the residents of Stanton are to blame. Who are the people who are habitually carrying knives and axes in the streets, the residents? No it is the campers who like to cut down trees despite there being an abundance of dead wood in the area. Maybe you should be looking closer to home!!
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              Re: Nine-year protest camp over by skeeth on Thursday, 02 April 2009
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              Sorry I forgot the sign the message above, it is I Skeeth, for some reason it did not put my username on and it doesn't do to hide behind anonymous.
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              Re: Nine-year protest camp over by skeeth on Friday, 03 April 2009
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              "Smell it - and then smell it again" once is enough thank you. I take it that is reference to the excretia smell that alway seem to follow some campers. Went up this morning and found a camp left littered with beer cans, food tins and half a bbq, now what puzzles me, if a person can carry a full beer tin and full food tins onto the moor, why can they not carry the lighter empty ones back with them? Is it lazyness or disrespect for the moor and the wildlife on there? The same sort of disrespect given to peoples cars? I pose a question, the answer to which is being avoided by anonymous.
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                Re: Nine-year protest camp over by Anonymous on Thursday, 09 April 2009
                my mum, and our family have camped responsibly for over ten years on the moors, before the protesters even began, we always clear rubbish, its not fair to tarnish everyone with the same sticky brush! mandy in lincoln.
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                Re: Nine-year protest camp over by skeeth on Thursday, 09 April 2009
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                Mandy,

                Not everyone is being tarnished by the same brush but you are not symbolic of all those that camp on the moor, it does not take many to ruin what is there for all and that is the reason why the "No camping No fires" signs are up there. I think that there should be a better way out of the impasse that exists but that is down to the landowner to establish but I do not think he can allow camping per se. The protesters have maintained areas of the moor and have tended to leave it cleaner than before but we still have the annual Solstice carnival to look forward to and that is a huge excuse to wreck the tranquility of the moor.
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            Re: Nine-year protest camp over by Anonymous on Monday, 30 March 2009
            Sentiments I second, it is the few that are causing problems for all. This last weekend a group set up camp on the moor, they took with them a table, camping equipment, calor gas cooker plus their own firewood! Now their impact on the moor may have been small but they still had to walk passed and ignore the signs numerous times.
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              Re: Nine-year protest camp over by Anonymous on Friday, 03 April 2009
              It appears that the group above left some beer bottles and the wheels of a pushchair they were using to transport their equipment, neither bottles or plastic wheels are indigenous to the moor so their impact was complete and negative.
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Re: Nine-year protest camp over by Anonymous on Thursday, 26 February 2009
Just a little memory to my friend Will who always loved this place.

I shall continue to protect it for you.

RIP.

Miss you my friend.
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    Re: Nine-year protest camp over by Anonymous on Sunday, 26 April 2009
    If you are talking about Will, who first welcomed me onsite, the Scots guy, a passionate guardian of the Earth, then I am so sad...
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    Re: Nine-year protest camp over by Anonymous on Wednesday, 01 July 2009
    No - different Will. From Derby. Scots Will is fine as far as I know . . .
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Re: Nine-year protest camp over by Anonymous on Monday, 02 February 2009
I was a visitor there 6 or 7 years ago-living far away-I had no idea of the fight you have been waging-CONGRATULATIONS!
my perceptions of the place were that it was a place for women to gather-men felt uncomfortable within the circle....I noticed that i felt welcomed, but my boyfriend walked away and hung about the perimeter of the field. and other visitors that were there the same day, were following the same patterns...with men on the periphery, and women enjoying the interior of the circle.

again, enjoy the victory!
and thank you-
but stay vigilant.

Alisa n Smith
(a community activist in LA)
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    Re: 9 Ladies for women??????????? by Anonymous on Thursday, 05 February 2009
    The ladies is one of the most welcoming places on earth - irrespective of your gender. I have visited many thousands of times and have never ever felt in any way unwelcome or any different to my female companions - on the contrary the stones know I look after them - stopping fires/litter/climbing damage etc etc.

    I find the suggestion that it is somehow for ladies quite offensive - if you knew the place better and did not base your comments on 1 visit years ago then maybe you would have a clearer vision. The name '9 ladies' has nothing to do with the original circle builders - it is a Christianised story about female dancers being turned to stone for dancing on the sabbath. the King stone (or fiddler) being their male musical counterpart.

    I took the largest Bronze Age greenstone battle axe I have ever seen up there on Saturday and it basically vibrated with energy and felt as though the stones wanted it closer every time i took it away from them - this is the most masculine artifact you could possibly have and probably once belonged to a very powerful tribal chieftan. it sent several people into trances and had an amazing positive effect on everyone there - a mixture of males and females - we don't discriminate - we are all one. I left the moor with a huge grin (as usual) clutching my extremely precious axe.

    i also made a new friend that I am certain will be a good friend for years to come. We were meant to meet at the stones - no doubt whatsoever.

    Male or female - all are welcome at the Nine Ladies.

    Unless you damage trees, drop litter, climb or sit on the stones etc etc.
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    Re: 9 Ladies for women??????????? by Anonymous on Monday, 27 April 2009
    You are presuming here that battle axes are used by men and that they were the leaders in Bronze age time. On Stanton Moor (T36 to be exact) a Battle axe was found witha cremation of a woman. In fact most of the 'significant' archaeology, e.g. bronze daggers and axes were found on Stanon with the remains of females. I have visited the moor for many years also and do feel a strong connection with a healing feminine energy. that is not to say of course that the moor is for women but that is has a feminine atmosphere.
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Re: Nine-year protest camp over by Anonymous on Sunday, 01 February 2009
Thank you to everyone who has supported the campaign against quarrying on the moor.
This is a truely historic part of the story of Stanton Moor... and we have all been a part of it!
It just shows you what we can do when we work with nature and with our power from within: magic!

Butterfly, Nine Ladies Protest Site

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    Re: Nine-year protest camp over by Anonymous on Wednesday, 11 February 2009
    A smiling face and a thumping bass for a loving race.

    I have the deepest respect for the protestors - they have lived through real hardship and constant threats. We have won !!

    Joy to you all
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Re: Nine-year protest camp over by Anonymous on Monday, 26 January 2009
Ever more evidence of the protest site is being removed. I carried some huge timbers down the hill on Saturday.

Any help really appreciated - just turn up on site, find someone and ask if they would like some help. You'll be an eco-warrior before you know it !!

Love to all with the Ladies in their hearts (and even those that don't!)




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Re: Nine-year protest camp over by Anonymous on Tuesday, 20 January 2009
Hazel Blears has signed the agreement on the 16th. We have won. This hillside will never be ripped apart.

Now to the huge task of removing all traces of the protest site. This is well under way and will be soon completed.

Any help appreciated.

The stones feel extremely powerful and energetic at present - I am certain they know their future is a little safer. I shall hug them for all of you.

Thanks for your support over the years - it has meant a lot to us to know that people all over the world are supporting us. It has been hard from day one and has only ever got harder.

A thumping bass and a smiling face for a loving race !!!!!

Joy beyond words . . .
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Re: Nine-year protest camp over by Anonymous on Tuesday, 20 January 2009
TIS ALL OVER !!! THE HILL IS SAFE !!! YIPPETEEDINGDANGDODAHDOOLALEEE

Tears of joy roll down my cheek.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/fr/-/1/hi/puffbox/hyperpuff/audiovideo/england/7838773.stm

Never been a better day . . .

Rock on
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Re: Nine-year protest camp over by Anonymous on Friday, 07 November 2008
Thanks for the good work. Now can you please leave?
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    Re: Nine-year protest camp over by Anonymous on Thursday, 27 November 2008
    Thanks for your double edged praise. Work has been ongoing for months now on dismantling and removing all trace of the camp. It is a large job and will take us some time to complete. It took nine years to erect it all so give us some sort of a break. The final signature is not on the document yet and until that is signed we are still on a "war footing" and fully ready to resist eviction and protect this hillside. So the camp will remain in occupation for a further short while. it is my intention and deepest heartfelt wish that there be no trace that we were here (apart from the fact the the hillside is still in existence and not a quarry). I will cry with joy when I look back up the hill for the final time to see nothing but trees, flowers and birds.
    Anybody that has not lived on a protest site can't possibly imagine some of the hardships we have been through over the last nine years. It has been really tough and has indirectly cost the lives of 2 people. Many years of cold, hunger, anger and depression have followed this cause. it is a really harrowing experience to be permanently under the threat of eviction - it really gets to you after a few weeks (let alone years). I am almost in tears now just thinking of all the hardship and suffering that has been endured - but now I shall turn them to tears of joy as I finally feel that it has been worthwhile - we have won and this little piece of my beloved Derbyshire is safe from quarrying !!!!!!! As for the other 3 sides of Stanton Moor that is another matter . . .
    [ Reply to This ]

Re: Nine-year protest camp over by Anonymous on Monday, 03 November 2008
A huge thank you to the protesters who have protected this site. Respect to you all. I've met many of you over the years as i visited the circle on holidays. Often I saw protesters working to repair the grass, cordoning off visitor-trampled areas and filling fire pits left by less careful campers. You have served well as keepers of the moor. I think you are right, the place will suffer when you are gone - but you can't be everywhere and we must all work to stop abuse of our sacred places when we see it.
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    Re: Nine-year protest camp over by Anonymous on Tuesday, 04 November 2008
    Thanks for your lovely words. You speak the truth - we have done much to protect the whole moor and when we are gone it will be at greater risk from the muggles. It was probably me that was returfing the firepits - I have done a few over the years. 2 other friends have done the rest. We carry the turf a long way to get it to the firepits but it is always worth it when the scorch marks disappear and the greenery returns. Particularly successful this Summer Solstice where most new firepits were returfed within a week.

    Keep loving our moor - it is so special.

    Love n ting
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Re: Nine-year protest camp over by Anonymous on Friday, 31 October 2008
Hi, just to let you know we would never light fires near the stones - on the contrary - i have stopped dozens of people from doing so. The people starting fires near the stones are not from the site - they are weekend campers who do not know how to do it properly. So when we leave, the area will become worse near the stones as we will not be there to ask people to stop. Thanks are appreciated.
love n ting
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Re: Nine-year protest camp over by coggins on Friday, 31 October 2008
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I admire the protesters' doggedness in occupying the site and I am very happy that they have eventually won the argument. Thank you. I also think that over the years I have found them to be oppressive and a little threatening at times, just their presence has felt unwelcoming. It has to be said that their insistence on lighting fires does no good - potentially destroying archaeological evidence and not really respectful of the culture they are supposed to be protecting. Thanks, guys. You can go now and leave the circle to look after itself.
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Re: Nine-year protest camp over by Anonymous on Thursday, 30 October 2008
Anyone that can come and help us tat down all the treehouses etc will be most welcome. There is lots to do and less people now to do it. Previous site residents please come and help. We are completely determined to return the hillside to it's previous condition. No trace of our stay will be left. Just bluebells and birch trees.
Deep thanks for all the support and assistance that we have received over the last 9 years. Without external help I don't think it would have got to this point. Special thanks to those local residents that have been so supportive - charging batteries, using showers, giving food etc etc.
So learn from this episode that direct action really can work. Certainly all the efforts by local groups have made a huge difference but ultimately I really believe that our camp has been the tipping point of the whole protest.

You can be strong. Your voice can be heard. Believe.
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Nine-year protest camp over by Andy B on Wednesday, 29 October 2008
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ECO-WARRIORS are dismantling their tree-houses and tepees and preparing to leave Britain's longest-running protest camp.

For almost nine years they refused to budge from the site near the ancient Nine Ladies Stone Circle as they battled to prevent an area of the Peak District National Park being used for quarrying.

The protest was sparked when quarry company Stancliffe Stone announced plans to reopen Endcliffe and Lees quarries, at Stanton Moor, near Matlock, Derbyshire, to extract high-quality sandstone.

Fearful of the environmental impact the scheme might have, protestors moved in - living in a caravans and in tree-houses where they remained despite bids to evict them.

Geoffrey Henson, of Stanton Lees Action Group which opposed the plan, said: "We are delighted and all we are waiting for now is the revocation notice, which should come back from the government in the next 12 weeks.

"It is a formality and the dismantling of the camp has already started.

"This is what we've been fighting for and now everyone at the camp will up sticks and go.

"This was based on principle, it was proposed for a national park and this was never right.

"There are no plans for a celebration yet, we shall talk about that when it is over."

Last September Hazel Blears, the local government secretary, decided Stancliffe Stone's planning permission would be revoked in exchange for the right to quarry at Dale View, a quarry in an area which is less environmentally sensitive.

But the remaining 20 protestors refused to pack up until they had it in writing that there would be no quarrying at the site.

Now, after lengthy negotiations the final legal documents have been completed and are expected to be rubber stamped before Christmas.

It will bring to an end years of controversy, court cases and concern over risks to the bronze age remains such as the Nine Ladies Stone Circle.

Stancliffe Stone is voluntarily giving up the planning permission granted in 1952, ending the possibility the quarries may be re-opened.

In exchange, the company will be allowed to extend Dale View quarry, further away from the most-sensitive sites.

More in the
http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/s/1067589_nineyear_protest_camp_over
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UPSET BY LAYBY BLOCKING? by Anonymous on Friday, 04 July 2008
If you are upset by Adrian Thornhill's (so called landowner) blocking of all the laybys round Stanton Moor then why not phone him up and tell him what you think?

Also why not ask him why the agreement has not been signed.

His number is: 01629 636423

Give him a piece of your mind. If he gets enough then perhaps he will have a mind of his own.
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Re: SOLSTICE 2008 AT THE LADIES by Anonymous on Tuesday, 01 July 2008
Protest site still very ready for any possible eviction attempt. Although the tat down has started in preparation for the eventual signing of the agreement, we are still totally ready to protect this area - nothing has changed - they will never rip this hill apart - I will give my life to stop it.

So be warned Thornhill - there is still a focussed and powerful army on your doorstep.

Any eviction attempt will lead to at least a thousand people protecting the area. We all know what to do and some of us are ready to die for it.

We stand shoulder to shoulder with the non-enclosure protestors of centuries past and all those that love Stanton Moor (that must be everyone who has ever seen it).

We will never give in. Never never never - so hurry up and sign the agreement
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SOLSTICE 2008 AT THE LADIES by Anonymous on Tuesday, 10 June 2008
If you are heading to the Ladies for the Summer Solstice please respect the area, the trees and above all the stones. Every year the amount of damage at this time is equal to the damage from the rest of the year put together. I shall be there respectfully ensuring that no new fire pits are created, that no trees are burnt and that the stones are not damaged. It starts to feel like a bit of a bind after fifteen years but someone has to look after our magnificent moor. I am certain that Thornclifffe Estates (the landowner) will be trying to stop people having fires probably with the help of the local policewoman. There is also talk of road blocks to breathalyse people as they leave Stanton in Peak and Stanton Lees. I am expecting a police presence and possibly some confrontation with the landowner . . . so be careful, be respectful and above all enjoy the Solstice.
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    Re: SOLSTICE 2008 AT THE LADIES by Anonymous on Thursday, 12 June 2008
    I was up stanton the other week (first time in a long time) and was quite supprised to see all the new signs telling people not to camp. I remember camping there as a child - it was all very friendly & good fun, but I have heard that in the last few years this is not the case.

    Does anybody know what the current situation is as I was thinking of taking my kids up - is this not a good idea?
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      Re: SOLSTICE 2008 AT THE LADIES by Anonymous on Thursday, 12 June 2008
      The landowner (Thorncliffe Estates) has put those signs up. They have also been up on a Saturday evenings with the local policewoman to stop people having fires. Camping is not a matter for the police - it is a civil issue. They would have to get an eviction notice to remove you from their property and I guess you would have left long before they returned with a warrant. Fires however could be construed as aggravated trespass. It seems to have stopped some of the drunken idiots that break trees and leave litter camping there so maybe they are a good thing. It will be interesting to see what happens for the Solstice next week as i am anticipating problems and confrontation. Read up on your rights of worship under Schedule 2 Article 9 of the 2002 Human Rights Act.

      I have been bivvying up on Stanton Moor for over 20 years and the only thing that will stop me will be an armed policeman (and he would have to be quite large). I go to spend time at the stones, to remove litter and to try to educate people not to leave any trace of their visit. Ultimately this site needs to be maintained by an agency (eg Peak Park Authority or English Heritage) as the landowner does not have the protection and respect of the stones anywhere near the front of their thoughts. I refuse to accept that anyone other than all of us own Stanton Moor and I am prepared to fight for my views.

      Our moor, our human rights . . .

      Anyone got any useful ideas?

      Have a lovely peaceful solstice.
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        Re: SOLSTICE 2008 AT THE LADIES by Anonymous on Friday, 13 June 2008
        I hear the locals are totally p***ed off with campers leaving litter and excrement everywhere but more important the campers are too thick to understand that when people go to Stanton moor they dont go there to see a campsite at the stones. Ive heard theres going to be a lot of police for solstice so anyone thinking anything illegal better think again, the locals are determined this isnt going to be another out-of-control rave like last year. Power to them, stanton moor has lost all magic thanks to campers.
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          Re: SOLSTICE 2008 AT THE LADIES by Anonymous on Monday, 16 June 2008
          It certainly wasn't an out of control rave last year - it was fairly peaceful and respectful. I did as much as I could to clear litter and returf any new firepits (hard work). This year there will be leaflets and posters up to try to stop any damage/litter. We work hard every year to minimise the impact but the sad fact is that about 50% of the people that come are oblivious to the damage and disrespect they are causing. The signs seem to be working as nobody was camped at the stones all weekend - a genuine rarity.
          Please remember that some of us are responsible and caring. 50% of people that camp on the moor leave no trace and do not camp within sight of the stones. The other issue is having fires . . .

          Have a good solstice
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          Re: SOLSTICE 2008 AT THE LADIES by Anonymous on Tuesday, 17 June 2008
          Sounds like a few bad eggs are ruining it for everybody - I hope that a balance can be found.
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          Re: SOLSTICE 2008 AT THE LADIES by Andy B on Wednesday, 18 June 2008
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          The camping discussion continues in our forum here:
          http://www.megalithic.co.uk/modules.php?op=modload&name=Forum&file=viewtopic&topic=2965&forum=2
          [ Reply to This ]
          Re: SOLSTICE 2008 AT THE LADIES by Anonymous on Tuesday, 24 June 2008
          Yes indeed - another brilliant solstice for all concerned (over both nights!). The litter created has all been removed and there is pretty much no sign that several hundred people were here over the weekend. Thanks to all concerned for making this happen - we have come close in past years but this year it is really spot on.

          Our ancestors are proud of us.

          Magical sunrise on 20th - clear, pink and beautiful. Double rainbow over stones on Thurs was the best I have ever seen - I didn't realise so many colours existed!

          The landowner (Thornhill Estates) tried to spoil it for everyone by blocking all laybys around the moor and thus forcing people to park in Stanton and Birchover - perhaps the local residents will have something to say about this? Why not phone them up and tell them how you feel?

          If the threat of eviction rears it's ugly head before the agreement is signed then I can guarantee that hundreds (probably thousands) of people will be there to stop bailiffs/police/diggers. We have not forgotten the threat and will never let the 2 quarries open on an industrial scale.

          We are as strong as ever and fully recharged.
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    Re: SOLSTICE 2008 AT THE LADIES by Anonymous on Monday, 23 June 2008
    HAPPY SOLSTICE ONE AND ALL

    Another brilliant Solstice at Nine Ladies. The area was left particularly tidy this year despite the landowner having the corrugated iron and rubbish skip removed in order to try and increase the chances of peat fires and litter.

    Also the road cones near the site were intended, not as the landowner stated to the Police, to provide access to the land, but to try and force people to park in the surrounding villages in order to turn local public opinion against the site (this motive was confirmed by a Peak Parks representative).

    All in all these dubious methods appear to be a last ditch attempt at provoking an eviction before the land agreement is finalized.

    If it`s necessary to resort to this kind of manipulation of public opinion then surely that says something about the immorality of the intent behind.

    It is sad that the Police near the site declined the offer of the park ranger to look just how well kept the area had been over the weekend, they were quoted as saying "Unless it`s life or death we`re not getting out of the car". What a shame to see our law enforcement officers so disinterested in positive public activity, anyone would think they were disappointed at the lack of trouble to get involved in.

    The only downside of the weekend was a number of thefts, including a wedding cake from the handfasting and a guitar from a tent.
    I would like to point out that these kind of activities are not accepted by the residents of the protest site who do not allow thieves and smackheads amongst their number (the person who stole the guitar also took a desert spoon from the same tent, bit of a giveaway).
    These thefts can more than likely be attributed to opportunist individuals from the surrounding area who know that the protesters might get the blame.

    So Happy Solstice to everyone, but remember, Police and Thieves aren`t just in the streets!
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    Re: SOLSTICE 2008 AT THE LADIES by Anonymous on Saturday, 28 June 2008
    would have been nice if more metal was provided that night, luckly i got one. it was a good weekend and was cleaned up well, a skip would have been nice. if anyone has any photos of the fire display , could someone emial them to me, as i was in it lol. tye@unmanifest1.demon.co.uk
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Re: End in sight for quarry wrangle on historic moor by Anonymous on Friday, 16 November 2007
So it's all over and we have won? No - not really - they are ripping the moor to bits on all the other sides. Only slightly further away from the stones - you can hear the beep beep beep all the time. Just walk up the hill out of Birchover and you will see nothing but countryside rape. Large tracks appearing in the woods to the west towards another old quarry - looks like they are opening that one too. It really doesn't feel like I have won anything. Personally I feel that we should have carried on the protest until there was no threat to our glorious sacred moor. As it stands it is still under threat on 3 sides. Anybody else still got the will to fight this? I have tried everything I can think of . . .
Guybongo
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End in sight for quarry wrangle on historic moor by coldrum on Monday, 12 November 2007
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Posted by PaulM

End in sight for quarry wrangle on historic moor

End in sight for quarry wrangle on historic moor
Local Government Secretary Hazel Blears has decided not to intervene in a proposal that would end the prospect of working under an old planning permission at two quarries near historic Stanton Moor.
This means a legal agreement can now be prepared that will allow the Peak District National Park Authority to serve a revocation order on the planning permission at Lees Cross and Endcliffe quarries, near Bakewell, without the operator or landowner claiming compensation. The quarries could not then be re-opened under that permission.
Quarry operator Stancliffe Stone offered to sign such a legal agreement when it made an application for a three-hectare extension to its Dale View quarry, a less-sensitive site further away from the moor.
The revocation order would be a long-sought outcome for the Authority as Lees Cross and Endcliffe lie close to the Scheduled Ancient Monument of Stanton Moor, including the prehistoric Nine Ladies Stone Circle, burial mounds and cairns. The landscape is also valued for its scenic viewpoints, wildlife and walking.
The National Park Authority unanimously supported the proposals in July, but Hazel Blears had to decide whether it was of sufficient national importance for her to have the final say.
In a letter to the Authority the Communities and Local Government Secretary concluded: “The proposals do not raise planning issues of more than local importance and intervention would not be justified as there is not sufficient potential conflict with national planning policies.”
National Park officers and Stancliffe Stone are now in the course of preparing the legal agreement that would also secure long-term aftercare at Dale View quarry. Conditions for working at Dale View must also be agreed before planning permission can be issued. It is important that the legal agreement and conditions are legally sound so that the development can be properly controlled.
The Authority hopes to issue the permission as soon as possible, but in any case the process should be completed before the end of the year provided that the legal agreement is signed.
Authority planning chair Barbara Wilson said: “This is another very welcome step along the way to securing the long-term protection of Stanton Moor. Our officers are working hard on drawing up the necessary agreements so that the situation can finally be resolved for the good of the National Park.”
Dale View quarry produces high-quality gritstone used as a building material both locally and nationally. The extension will allow an extra 946,500 tonnes to be produced over the quarry’s 21-year active life, and the company has agreed to a 20-year aftercare programme to manage the site after the mineral working has finished.
Stanton-in-Peak Parish Council, Friends of the Peak District, Stanton Lees Action Group and Stanton Against Destruction of the Environment all supported the package.
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Re: Nine Ladies by Anonymous on Tuesday, 28 August 2007
the place is a campsite so is the walk to it.
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Re: Nine Ladies by TimPrevett on Monday, 19 March 2007
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A walk around Nine Ladies, on YouTube

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Re: Nine Ladies by Anonymous on Tuesday, 25 July 2006
Is dont think da pasons shoud b aloud 2 put new grass up dere , coz ,Nothink ,Good or Bad last for ever. lov SunShine Burnett.
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Re: Nine Ladies by vitamors on Saturday, 10 June 2006
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Condition:4 Ambience:2.5 there was a tent pitched right next to it
Access:4 a short walk from a local lay by was all that was needed
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Re: Nine Ladies - Quarry Protest update March 2006 by Anonymous on Wednesday, 15 March 2006
BLOCKSTONE ARE GOING TO DESTROY OUR MOOR IF WE DO NOTHING - GET LETTER WRITING AND PROTESTING AT EVERY AVAILABLE OPPORTUNITY.
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Re: Nine Ladies - Quarry Protest update March 2006 by Anonymous on Friday, 10 March 2006
The first 2 quarry proposals have been defeated. Please help in any way you can to stop the next 2 proposals. They will severely alter the atmosphere of the moor and destroy magical land and wildlife. It cannot happen. It is our land and we have the power to stop this.
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Re: Nine Ladies under threat, latest news by Anonymous on Friday, 29 April 2005
Former minister in grim warning
A LABOUR stalwart has accused Matlock quarrying company Stancliffe Stone of "carving away at the heart of England."
In an article published in the Observer last weekend, former deputy leader of the Labour party Roy Hattersley warned that a current legal bid by Stancliffe Stone could lead to the Peak Park facing legal costs it cannot afford.

Stancliffe Stone are currently challenging a High Court decision to classify the quarries of Endcliffe and Lees Cross on Stanton Moor as dormant.

Mr Hattersley, who lives in a Peak village, wrote: "Two companies – Merrimans and Stancliffe Stone – have already cut great gashes into the Peak District landscape. They plan to extend their quarries to a point at which their excavations would change the character of the countryside.

"And nobody is quite sure if the Peak District National Park Authority (PDNPA) has either the legal power or the financial muscle to stop it happening."

If the quarries continue to be classified as dormant the PDNPA can impose conditions on stone extraction without the risk of having to pay compensation.

If the judgement is not upheld, Mr Hattersley warns that other companies with dormant quarries may test their status in the hope of avoiding obligations to modernise.

Mr Hattersley wrote: "Were the Peak Park to lose the cases it currently needs to pursue, lawyers fees would total at least £500,000. Like all poor litigants, it may find the price of fighting the cases too high to pay."

PDNPA chief executive Jim Dixon said: "There is no question of our not being able to fight the cases currently going through the courts.

"However, if we were to lose the Lees Cross and Endcliffe case and other companies brought proceedings against us, that would be a different matter."

Mike Jones, general manager of Stancliffe Stone, said: "Our approach is to ensure that the land we borrow to quarry is returned to nature after the stone has been extracted."

Mr Jones claims that his company's 'sympathetic restoration' of previously worked quarries meets environmental obligations and cites the need to protect 68 local jobs.

Controversy over the Stanton Moor quarries continues to inflame the communities of Stanton in Peak and Stanton Lees.

Last week councillor Kath Potter, who has served on Stanton in Peak Parish Council for over ten years, resigned in protest over a representation made to the Court of Appeal by chairman Alan Martin.

A judgement on the status of the quarries is expected within the next four weeks.

by Tim Cunningham
31 March 2005
http://www.matlocktoday.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=749&ArticleID=986815
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Re: Nine Ladies a response from English Heritage by Anonymous on Tuesday, 23 November 2004

I only wish I could see these thing in person. I would like to know more about the language and customs of the first people. Alpha
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Re: Nine Ladies a response from English Heritage by Anonymous on Saturday, 06 November 2004
Hippy free would be nice!
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    Re: Nine Ladies a response from English Heritage by Anonymous on Tuesday, 22 March 2005
    Free hippies - sounds great. What is a non-hippy? Is it someone that does not get in touch with mother earth, someone that does not love, someone that does not feel or just someone in a suit (like you?)?
    Hippies truly rock the free world . . .
    [ Reply to This ]

Re: Nine Ladies a response from English Heritage by Anonymous on Tuesday, 30 April 2002
Paul Morgan forwarded this response from English Heritage

"As for Nine Ladies, you will be aware that EH and the Peak Park are engaged in a programme of works to stabilise and improve the condition of this monument. Firstly, we need to carry out works to repair the monument; and secondly, we need to work hard to raise awareness of the fragility and sensitivity of the site. The various users of the site are getting a little better at regulating their own activities, yet clearly we still have some way to go. You may be aware that we have Local Management Agreement with the Peak Park for the day-to-day management of the monument, and the Ranger, Andy Farmer does a tremendous job in preventing some of the worse excesses.

Some years ago the King Stone was damaged and cracked by a reversing vehicle (unbelievable though this seem...) which was on the moor illegally. The stones you refer to were used to provide some additional support. Happily, however, the damage to the stone has now been fully repaired with stainless steel dowels and the crack has been sealed.

The November 2000 excavations are the subject of an unpublished technical report for English Heritage, but it is the intention of Trent & Peak Archaeological Unit to publish a short account of the work in Derbyshire Archaeological Journal. I am not clear, however, of the timetable for publication as this will depend partly upon how much is in the 'queue' for inclusion within DAJ."
[ Reply to This ]

Re: Nine Ladies by Andy B on Thursday, 10 May 2001
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NINE LADIES BRONZE AGE STONE CIRCLE AT RISK FROM VISITOR PRESSURE
English Heritage Launches Campaign To Protect Nationally Important Derbyshire Monument

English Heritage today announced that it has commissioned a vital archaeological study of Nine Ladies Stone Circle in the Peak District National Park so that the rapidly deteriorating condition of this nationally important Bronze Age Stone Circle can be assessed. A local public meeting will be held to allow us to explain our proposals.

Each year around 40,000 people visit the circa 4000 year old Stone Circle which is causing a rapid increase in erosion of this fragile site. Recent soil erosion has revealed evidence of a tenth stone and today approximately 20cm is exposed. Damage has also been caused by visitors digging holes for campfires and even chipping off pieces of stone as souvenirs.

Jon Humble, English Heritage's Inspector of Ancient Monuments for the East Midlands said: "Nine Ladies Stone Circle, the most evocative and well known of the many monuments on Stanton Moor, is a site of beauty and tranquillity for visitors, from near and far, and to many who believe the Stone Circle is of special spiritual significance. It is this popularity that has significantly accelerated the processes of decay. We must act quickly if we are to protect this mysterious and ancient site for future generations.

"Rather like investigative surgery, we will examine a small sample of the site to establish the extent and condition of the archaeological remains. Great care will be taken to ensure that intervention is kept to the minimum necessary to get the information we need. Less than 10% of the site will be opened up and the soil removed will be less than the amount lost in the last 20 years alone as a result of erosion.

"The findings from the study will contribute to the preparation of a Conservation Plan for the Stone Circle balancing its archaeological, ecological, landscape and aesthetic needs with the needs of its visitors today and in future generations. As part of a public information campaign a guide will be based at Nine Ladies during the study to explain the work to visitors. Interpretation panels will explain the Stones' archaeology and outline conservation guidelines which will help safeguard the monument."

A specially commissioned leaflet `Nine Ladies Stone Circle and Stanton Moor' explaining plans for the site has been sent to all local residents of the nearby villages Stanton-in-Peak, Stanton Lees and Birchover. A public meeting is being held at Stanton-in-Peak Village Hall on Monday 3 April, and will be attended by representatives from English Heritage and the Peak District National Park Authority who manage the privately-owned site under a Local Management Agreement on behalf of English Heritage.

Rod Giddins, English Heritage's Regional Director for the East Midlands said: "It is important that we explain our plans for tackling the serious erosion of ancient site. By working closely together with all the interested parties we can protect the Stone Circle for the enjoyment of future generations."

The archaeological evaluation will take place in May and last for four-five weeks. The work is being carried out by Trent & Peak Archaeological Unit on behalf of English Heritage and the Peak District National Park Authority.

For a copy of the free leaflet `Nine Ladies Stone Circle and Stanton Moor' please call: 01604 730320
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    Re: Nine Ladies by Anonymous on Monday, 15 March 2004
    THe signifcance of the name will perhaps become clear if you read
    The Quest for the Nine Maidens by Stuart McHardy (Luath Press ISBN 0
    946487 66 9 Hbk 16.99)
    For too long history has been suffering from an almost total masculine bias. The militaristic, heirarchical and financial interests of a tiny group of humanity in the West have been dictating how we, and they see our common past. S.McH

    In this ground-breaking new work the author investigates the ancient sisterhood of pagan priestesses the Picts called the Nine Maidens. Shape-shifters,healers and prophetesses the Nine Maidens were closely linked to significant goddesses and gods in many societies around the world. Whether as Valkyries taking dead Vikings to Valhalla, as Morgan and her sisters convoying king Arthur to Avalon, as the keepers of Cerrridwen’s Cauldron of Poetry and Inspiration, as the ecstatic Maenads and Muses of Greece, as the Druidesses of the Isle de Sein off Brittany, time and again these enigmatic sisterhoods crop up myth and legend. In some cases, as the Witches of Caer Lyow or the sisterhood of Mont Dol in Brittany they were clearly female warriors while in Dark Age Scotland amongst the Picts, they were thought of as saints.
    In Brittany, Scotland and Wales they were associated with ancient mother goddess figures and in Iceland they travelled around giving prophecies as late as 1000BC. In Scotland, Nine Maidens Wells continued to be the focus of Beltane festivities into the twentieth century. The oldest reference to the is a cave painting showing nine women dancing round a priapic male in some kind fertility rite – from over 15000 years ago. Other groups of them come form shamanistic belief in Siberia, founding mythology in Kenya and in the beliefs of Amerindian peoples. Whether the remnants of a once universal belief system or local developments of some archetypal human thought the Nine Maidens widespread existence tells us there is much more still to be known abut the human past.

    Most of the history of our species has been written by men, for men and
    about men – the worldwide stories of the Nine Maidens suggest there is more, much - much more -to learn of o the human story. .
    [ Reply to This ]

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