On the summit of Leskernick Hill looking westward toward Brown Willy and Roughtor
Leskernick Stone Circles and Stone Row Clearance: Press release by Roy Goutté. Images © Roy Goutté.
I am delighted to announce to The Heritage Trust that, after an application was made to Natural England by myself, consent has been granted to excavate and clear the recumbent and buried standing stones of the north and south stone circles to the base of the Bronze-Age settlement at Leskernick Hill, near Altarnun, Cornwall. Consent has also been granted to carry out the same procedure on the stone row running south-west to north-east between the two circles. The work is to be carried out by a small team of experienced Bodmin Moor clearance volunteers (TimeSeekers) under the periodic watchful eye of the area’s Historic England Heritage at Risk Officer.
The Methodology involved:
As the two stone circles and stone row beneath the southern slopes of Leskernick Hill are at serious risk of losing their identity now that 95% of the standing stones have fallen and returning to nature, the aim of the clearance would be to bring the hidden parts of the circles and stone row ‘back to life’ by sympathetically removing the vegetation and turf ‘carpet’ off the stones without damage taking place and without any soil being removed below the exposed top surfaces. The removed material is to be suitably relocated locally.
Procedure:
. Record and photograph the existing visible stones and stone mounds to be cleared prior to work commencing on both the circles and stone row. Video recording to also take place.
. Carefully cut through the turf/vegetation just beyond the exterior edge of the covered/partly covered stones.
. Carefully and without damage to the stone surfaces, peel back the turf/vegetation and reposition in previously sought out local areas requiring repair/improvement. Clean and wash stones off with clean water only.
. Buried ring stones and those in the stone row detected by probing but not identified by exterior mounding of the turf, to be exposed, recorded and photographed, but, if considered to be too deep to be left exposed and a danger to both stock and the public alike, to be re-covered.
. On completion of all work, leave the three cleared areas in a tidy condition and provide a field report and survey of the works carried out together with photographs and video links.
We feel privileged as amateur archaeologists to have been granted this permission on such a prestigious and important site as Leskernick. To stand amongst and look down from the proliferation of round houses on the southern side of Leskernick Hill to the landscape beneath where surely ceremonial and ritualistic activities took place in sight of so many ancient local landmarks, makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. Our great ancestors may no longer be there in person but I wonder if they ever really left, as judging by the sheer number of small earth-fast tri-stones dotted about it may also be their last resting place. To be given the opportunity to once again bring the circles and stone row ‘back to life’ and in the public gaze is why we do this. Our heritage means everything and we should do everything to keep it that way!
Two of the three only remaining standing stones and the recumbent central pillar of the North Circle. The remaining stones lie buried beneath the surface
One of the many round-house remains on Leskernick Hill
A last resting place?
Roy Goutté
North Hill
Cornwall
9 comments
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25/05/2016 at 1:25 pm
esdale77
How exciting!!! Would love to document this! So if you need a photographer. . . 🙂
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25/05/2016 at 1:55 pm
roygoutte
Hi esdale77…
Well, if you fancy rolling your sleeves up come and help, then you can take as many pix as you like 🙂
Roy
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25/05/2016 at 10:48 pm
esdale77
I would love to get involved, have you set dates yet?
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26/05/2016 at 10:17 pm
roygoutte
Hi again,
We’ll be kicking off during the first week in June but haven’t set an exact start date yet as we are waiting for a team member to return from holiday shortly. I’ll contact you via your blog site okay.
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03/06/2016 at 5:30 pm
roygoutte
Hi again, we will be commencing work on Monday 6th June starting with the south circle.
Roy
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04/06/2016 at 12:50 pm
esdale77
That’s great news! I would love to come and help in some way, can you let me know how I might find you, what time you will be there, are you intending to work everyday?
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04/06/2016 at 10:24 pm
roygoutte
The plan is to meet up at Bodmin Rd Service Station at 9.45 and park up. From there we go in one vehicle, a 4×4 ATV pick-up to Westmoorgate the entrance onto the moor. A standard vehicle is not suitable. We should be at the gate by 10am or a little after.
You are welcome to travel with us from the garage or take your chance and park at Westmoorgate if there is a space available. Just enough for two vehicles. If you have a 4×4 that’s fine, but other than that you’ll have a mile and a quarter walk if you don’t come with us. If you walk, go through the gate and follow the stone track to the right over the stream and around to the left and just keep walking. You’ll see Leskernick Hill way down on the right hand side of the track with the clitter and settlement on it. When you get level with it you will see us to the left of the track a couple of hundred yards away.
I left you my email addy on your blog site this morning. Contact me and we can exchange mobile numbers and anything else you may like to know.
Roy
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05/06/2016 at 10:19 am
esdale77
Thanks Roy. I have emailed you.
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25/05/2016 at 3:26 pm
The Heritage Trust
Not many of our readers will know but it’s taken Roy some time to get together all the planning and permissions necessary to carry out the work at Leskernick (ditto the same dedication and determination of his TimeSeekers band of brothers and sisters).
We wish you all well, fine weather and good companionship during your work at Leskernick – and of course look forward to seeing the results of your endeavours when you’re finished there.
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