History

National Trust members continue support for Stonehenge Tunnel

MEMBERS have voted against changing the National Trust’s position regarding the Stonehenge Tunnel project at its recent AGM.

The project has proved controversial with many groups, such as the Stonehenge Alliance, set up to oppose it.

More than 127,000 members voted on six resolutions and elected seven new members of the National Trust Council at the charity’s AGM which was held at the Bath Assembly Rooms on November 5.

The resolution was proposed by Dr Kate Fielden and seconded by John Adams, OBE, both of whom are members of the Trust and supporters of the Stonehenge Alliance. Resolution 5 Stonehenge, which called for the Trust to drop its support, was not carried with just over 30,000 members voting in favour, but over 81,000 voting against.

A spokesperson for the National Trust, said: “The existing traffic-clogged A303 severely damages the Stonehenge World Heritage Site, impacting hundreds of ancient monuments as well as wildlife. This cannot continue. The Trust cares for over 840 hectares of the landscape, and has been a proud custodian of this special place for nearly a century – a role we take extremely seriously. We support the government’s plan to remove most of the harmful existing A303 and place it in a tunnel deep underground.”

René Olivieri, chair of the National Trust’s Board of Trustees, said: “We are grateful that so many of our members were able to join us at our Annual General Meeting, either in person or online, and we would like to thank them and the many thousands of other members who took the time to vote on the resolutions and for new Council members. The Board of Trustees will reflect on the outcomes of the voting and we will be back in touch with members through our usual channels in the coming weeks.”

She added: “It is very important to me that we listen to and consider diverse views on our work and future. We are privileged to have such dedicated and passionate people supporting the National Trust.”

Ahead of the AGM, the Stonehenge Alliance’s website asked opponents of the tunnel to write to the Trust to change its support for the project. It stated that the Trust should only consider ‘road building as an option of last resort, and certainly not through a World Heritage Site’. Adding that: ‘Under any other circumstances it is almost unthinkable that an independent, national conservation body would support a major infrastructure scheme so harmful to a World Heritage Site’.

Antiquity Scheme unearths the rogue traders of medieval life

THE Portable Antiquities Scheme was set up to allow members of the public to record their historical finds. It is managed by the British Museum in England and works with at least 119 national and local partners, and delivers through its network of 40 locally based Finds Liaison Officers, the PAS Central Unit (based at the British Museum), National Finds Advisers, interns and volunteers.

It plays an important role in advancing knowledge, telling stories of past communities and furthering public interest in the past. More than 1.5 millions that were found by chance by ordinary people (many through metal detecting) have been recorded and saved in some way for posterity. Finds that would otherwise be lost.

One such find was made to the north east of Salisbury. A cast copper-alloy seal matrix of medieval date, c. 1300-1400. The matrix takes the form of a pointed oval with a flat reverse. The front carries a representation of the Virgin Mary carrying a child (presumably the baby Jesus) standing in front of a decorated alter. Mary is wearing a crown and the child has a halo.

Around the figures, an inscription reads SIgILLUM SUB DECAnAT ECCL’IE SARI which can be read as ‘seal of the sub-dean of the church of Salisbury’. The seal is approximately 51mm long, 32mm wide, 2.8mm thick and weighs just over 21 grams.

John Cherry, former keeper of Medieval and Later Antiquities, British Museum, has suggested that this intriguing find may actually be a forgery that would have been a contemporary of the original. This very fact adds an extra layer of mystery to the find. It was noted as ‘an interesting find’ by the records and donated to the Salisbury and South Wiltshire Museum.

In the year to date, just over 1,500 finds from Wiltshire have been recorded with the scheme. If you find something in the local area, contact 01722 332151 or PAS@salisburymuseum.org.uk

History

Unveiling of plaque marks site of First World War woodland memorial

AN official unveiling was due to be held at 3pm on Sunday, November 13, of a new memorial at Castle Hill Country Park in Laverstock & Ford Parish.

In 2018, on the centenary of the end of the First World War, trees were planted at Castle Hill Country Park which have now become a woodland memorial to those who gave their lives fighting for their country. Now, as the woodland matures members of The Land Trust, which leases and manages the site, will be returning to place a memorial plaque marking the significance of the site.

A 100-year-old chestnut ‘monolith’ was sourced from Stourhead Estates on which the memorial has been installed.

Parish councillor, Lesley Waller who has been involved with the development of a public open space behind Bishopdown Farm, said: “Daily, we are reminded of the horrors of war by the situation in Ukraine, so it is timely to think about all the people who sacrificed their lives during the First World War, whether at the frontline or on the home front.

“Planting the first oak tree in this wood, back in 2018, was an honour for me, one I treasure. We will remember them, and we do.”

In March 2019, Barratt Homes transferred the Country Park to Laverstock & Ford Parish Council. Following consultation with residents the name Castle Hill Country Park was chosen. The history of the area and proximity to Old Sarum

A 100-year-old chestnut ‘monolith’ was sourced from Stourhead Estates on which the memorial has been installed Credit: Laverstock & Ford Parish Council

Hillfort and Old Sarum Airfield, formed a large part of the design, while interpretive Iron Age play features, a miz-maize, and a memorial woodland were included in the features formed by re-profiling 15 hectares of the site with approximately 90,000 tonnes of spoil from the Riverdown Park development for habitat creation.

Today, Castle Hill features popular walks and running routes, a much-loved dog agility field, a trim trail, a play park, picnic area, ball sports court, a mountain biking area, and the memorial woodland; a peaceful spot for catching sight of birds of prey and planes landing and taking off from the nearby historic Old Sarum Airfield.

Hannah Bosence from The Land Trust, said: “We are pleased to help care for and maintain the memorial woodland. Not only will it help create a wonderful habitat with the native species provided by the Woodland Trust, but it also helps all of us remember how lucky we are to enjoy our freedom to explore our open spaces, thanks to the efforts of those who have gone before us.”

While not technically fulfilling the requirements for a designated ‘Country Park’, Castle Hill Country Park was the name chosen by residents of Laverstock & Ford parish during consultation on the future of the chalk downs and farmland area not included in development plans for building houses on the site known as Bishopdown Farm.

This happened once it was decided to preserve the open space as a green barrier between Bishopdown Farm and Ford.

The country park, located on former farmland, provides fine views across south Wiltshire as far as Salisbury Plain to the north and the fringes of the New Forest to the south. https://thelandtrust.org.uk/space/castle-hill-

Authors meet at Boscombe Down

THREE aviation authors met up for a chat at the Boscombe Down Aviation Collection (BDAC) recently.

BDAC welcomed Rod Priddle, whose major tome, Wings Over Wiltshire, has long been a classic and must-have book for any aviation enthusiast.

In the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) section of the collection, Rod was joined by David Berryman, whose continuing series of well received books cover the history of airfields in Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, Somerset and North Wales during the second World War.

Also present was Terry Grace, whose books include, Stonehenge, Sheds and SunGaps which covers the evolution and demise of Larkhill Airfield, and a biography of pioneering aviator Horatio Barber.

The trio were joined by Roger Green and Tim Cornish, both of whom were instrumental in curating the RFC collection when it was first donated to the museum a few years ago, and which is now recognised as the best and most comprehensive RFC collection in the country.

In the afternoon, some of the group visited the London Road Cemetery, where Tim Cornish led a guided walk, visiting Commonwealth graves of RFC and RAF staff who died while serving at Old Sarum Aerodrome.

Tim’s knowledge of each person commemorated, made for a most excellent and informative tour.

Boscombe Down Aviation Collection remains one of the best attractions in the Salisbury area and is the perfect day out for anyone with even the slightest interest in aviation and is especially enjoyed by families with children, all of whom appreciate being able to get up close and climb in some of the most historic aircraft.