MESSAGE FROM THE EDITOR

Wendover Woodhenge

As of Spring 2020, Wendover is definitely on the map of Historic England since the HS2 Ltd led excavations have revealed a large circular monument of wooden posts 65 meters in diameter with features aligned with the winter solstice, similar to Stonehenge in Wiltshire amongst other finds (see page 14).

Walkers noticed that footpaths in fields either side of Ellesborough Road had been fenced off at the start of lockdown. One footpath was diverted, much to the annoyance of some who damaged a fence to regain access. Archaeological excavations began even though we had not been given official notification of the start of some of them. On Saturday 11 July, the news broke of many astounding finds in these fields just where the HS2 cut and cover tunnel is to plough through our countryside. Since then, the question on the street is - will these finds be destroyed? They have already been recovered but this is normal practice after a first dig. Such activity is always carried out in full co-operation with Historic England but there is no indication yet of plans to preserve the henge.

Local Environmental Conservation Organisation, Wendover Active Resistance Camp, gathered together people from near and far on Sunday 19 July to mourn the probability that even though Wendover Woodhenge is amazingly well preserved and the best example of its kind in this area, it will be destroyed. They decided to visit. For more photos and video, see https://wendovernews. co.uk/news/wendover-woodhenge/.

Meanwhile, more thanks to people who have been supporting the local community in these past difficult months. See #CarryUsThrough, pages 18-19.