Following our recent moan about Northumberlandia being decorated for a good cause comes another instance ….
.
(See the Facebook Group “Keep Wiltshire Frack Free“)
Once again it will no doubt be suggested that it’s OK as it’s a good cause but since the cause could be promoted elsewhere, please indulge those of us who feel “good cause” isn’t an excuse to do whatever comes to mind and don’t do it. In the words of Stonehenge and Avebury World Heritage Site Friends …….
Sorry, I don’t agree with using monuments for advertising no matter how much I agree with the sentiment of the protest. It demeans the site, encouraging people to use it merely for any reason without respect for the importance of the monument. We have had incidents of individuals daubing paint on the stones themselves not that long ago. Protest about fracking, I’ll gladly stand at your side, but do it where there isn’t a monument.
The Heritage Journal 
16 comments
18/07/2014 at 18:26
debby
And ironically they get the publicity via those that report on what they do.
21/07/2014 at 14:47
Edwin
Glued to the stones? Nailed to the stones? Just held up against the stone, big deal.
21/07/2014 at 15:47
Packwood
The article wasn’t about physical damage but conceptual damage.
21/07/2014 at 15:56
Edwin
So aren’t make it up as you go along druids doing as much or more “conceptual” damage? Still doesn’t matter. “Do it where there isn’t a monument”, find somewhere in the Wiltshire countryside where there isn’t.
21/07/2014 at 16:07
Packwood
No there’s a big difference. Druids don’t prompt copycat physical damage.
21/07/2014 at 17:38
Edwin
Prove it, filthy rags and dolls dangling all over the spring near West Kennet Long barrow or the maize carved in the rock near Tintagel and any other “sacred site” are well on the way to it.
21/07/2014 at 19:00
heritageaction
Firstly, I don’t think druids leave filthy rags and dolls.
Secondly, we have a long record of objecting to such things.
Third, I don’t think there’s as strong a connection between leaving offerings and damage as there is between brandalising (and similar) and damage. You seem to be determined to say there is and that druids are to blame. So be it.
21/07/2014 at 19:55
Edwin
You deliberately misunderstand. It cannot be denied that druidical pagans do leave offerings around “sacred sites” An example from West Kennet
Brandalising monuments leaves no trace but pagan offerings stay till they rot. Which is likely to make an impression on a potential vandalising visitor?
21/07/2014 at 20:42
Packwood
Hang on, you are saying “make it up as you go along druids” … “leave filthy rags and dolls” at Swallowhead Spring – and it’s ME that doesn’t understand?!!
I think you need to check your facts!
21/07/2014 at 20:53
Edwin
What then is the source of paganism other than imagination and possible misinterpretation of what is guessed at of worship in the past and some biased writing by Caesar and the like? Tablets of stone?
Lived near the Spring and have watched such depositions and their rot along with the same at other sites. Do you ever visit such places?
22/07/2014 at 07:03
Packwood
Yes of course I visit such places but you still haven’t explained why you accuse “make it up as you go along druids” of leaving filthy rags and dolls.
22/07/2014 at 09:54
Edwin
Because they do and have been seen doing so. Druids and all pagans make it up or follow those who do-unless you are claiming that they have had a divine revelation in which you believe.
22/07/2014 at 10:06
Edwin
Scroll donw this blog to see somebody else’s opinion of the Swallowhead offerings,
http://northstoke.blogspot.co.uk/2007_08_01_archive.html
22/07/2014 at 13:55
heritageaction
You have been so keen to be offensive to Druids that you have completely missed the point that we are well aware of offerings at Swallowhead and elsewhere and don’t approve of it and that our opinion is shared by very many Druids who you so contemptuously dismiss. You really should check things before making sweeping and judgemental statements.
22/07/2014 at 17:25
Edwin
Is …… ……. a Druid? If so then case proven. he certainly left stuff at Swallowhead.
[EDITED]
22/07/2014 at 17:44
heritageaction
Enough. This is not a forum for you to conduct a vendetta by accusing individuals. Finis.