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Re: Wide coverage for Beltane Thornborough gathering (Score: 1)
by PaulM on Monday, 02 May 2005
The Daily Telegraph article:
Druids join campaign to stop quarrying
By Paul Stokes
(Filed: 02/05/2005)
Druids yesterday joined a campaign to stop quarrying near one of Britain's largest prehistoric sites.
Around 100 pagans gathered at Thornborough Henges, near Ripon, North Yorkshire, to mark the May Day ritual of Beltane.
They were supported by local archaeologists and others opposed to a plan by Tarmac Northern to extend its operations at Nosterfield Quarry to within half a mile of the nearest henge.
Thornborough comprises three identical, undulating earthwork rings measuring 800ft in diameter, and is several times the size of Stonehenge. The rings are believed to be 5,000 years old.
Tarmac's application to extract sand and gravel from a site known as Ladybridge is expected to be considered by North Yorkshire county council next month.
The company, which already produces more than 500,000 tons of sand and gravel a year, recognises the sensitivity of the issue.
It said it was committed to the protection of the monument and provided financial assistance to English Heritage for a conservation study.
The largest collection of neolithic features found in the north of England is just yards away from where quarrying would take place.
Although it is accepted that many of the archaeological finds so far might not have been made without Tarmac's patronage, objectors fear that items will be lost forever if quarrying is permitted.
George Chaplin, chairman of Timewatch, which campaigns for the preservation of ancient monuments, lives six miles from the site. He said: "The henges themselves are scheduled ancient monuments. There are plenty of other places to quarry."
Finds so far have ranged from prehistoric to 2,000 years old, including a ritual burial site containing four horses dating from 50 AD.
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