Leskernick Project Forum - visitors

From: Sam Fleming My name is Sam (Samantha) Fleming. I found the mailing list at onelist, and it immediately caught my interest. I am a PhD student at Cranfield University studying land-based agricultural wastewater treatment, and spent two years as an archaeologist working for Tempvs Reparatvm (no longer in business). My husband also worked for them, specialising in GIS applications. I am pagan, and very much involved with the protection of megalithic sites, being one of the voluntary guardians of the Rollright Stones. I have a great deal of interest in the interaction of people with the landscape, particularly in how different landscapes can cause intense feelings in some people, a feeling of "coming home", even if that person has not been in that sort of landscape before.

From: Wayne Tobias My wife and I are planning our first trip to Cornwall this September. We are planning to stay 3-4 days in/around Bodmin Moor. The area seems to be a Mecca of Neolithic; Pre-Christian/Pagan sites; which is the basis of our interests. Upon researching historical/folklorical/mythological sites; I came upon info about Leskernick. Am very much interested in visiting the site and would be interested on any info we can obtain on the site. Leskernick appears to be a most wonderful site (have been to Scotland, the Orkneys, Skye and most recently Brittany and these seem pale in comparison in their similar finds). Any helpful or updated info would be greatly appreciated.

From: Sam Fleming "The area seems to be a Mecca of Neolithic; Pre-Christian/Pagan sites; which is the basis of our interests." - Indeed, which is why ASLaN are so concerned with the coming solar eclipse. As a pagan myself, ti pains me to say that the vast majority of those who also describe themselves as such seem to have more concern with performing a ritual that looks good than in taking care of the sites at which they perform said rituals. I spend many nights out in the cold at sites on the big festival days in a (so far successful) attempt to limit the damage. I can put you in touch with the people in Cornwall who are doing the organised rituals for the eclipse. I am sure they would be delighted to give you some pointers for places to visit. The Witchcraft Museum in Boscastle is well worth a visit. "Am very much interested in visiting the site and would be interested on any info we can obtain on the site." - You beat me to the question. My husband and I will be in the area in August and I was also curious about visiting the site. It would bring back many happy memories.

From: Wayne Tobias Thank you for your reply. Any contacts/leads will be greatly appreciated. Unfortunately won't be able to visit Cornwall until September/October. Totally agree with you about a good majority of ritual practice. Being from the New York City area; pomp and circumstance; robotics, etc. seem to be more prevalant than understanding/intent. Having no history of the "Old Ways" here except for 20th Century interpretations from respective traditions and or text; places like Leskernick are an experience to be treasured and revered. Luckily; I have had a taste; have visited Scotland and Brittany.

From: Barbara Bender Dear Sam and also Wayne - hi, I'm Barbara Bender, one of the directors of the Leskernick project. I'm really pleased that you want to visit Leskernick, but I have to admit that I'm also a bit worried. I suppose we feel responsible for having increased its visibility and although we're very happy for people to visit while we're on site (from late May through to early July), we realise that once we've left the local people are going to be worried if there's a big increase in visitors. Quite rightly they'll blame us if anything goes wrong. Bodmin Moor is one of the last areas of common land, there are public footpaths but not in the vicinity of Leskernick. I think we need to find out whether people who want to go to the site when we're not there have to ask permission of the commoners. I don't want to sound negative but, as you know, these places are both special and vulnerable.

From: Sam Fleming I understand that entirely. I spend enough time protecting megalithic monuments and such like in my own area. I am well aware of the sensitive nature of these places. All I can say is that you are right to be worried. Wayne and I understand the sensitivity and have made the effort to contact you and find out how to gain permission. My husband and I are archaeologists, and know how to behave around such sites. If you are making this place more public, you will find that there will be very many who do not make the effort to ask. Have you considered the eclipse? The people at ASLaN are panicking in their attempts to make sure there is no damage done to other places in Cornwall. My husband and I will be in the area, on Bodmin, anyway. That is why I asked. You will have to consider what to do about visitors, because your website will bring the site to the attention of more than you might think. I would also like to ask why you are only on site for five weeks every year. That is a very small proportion of the normal digging season (although we often spent all year on site). This is simple curiosity however. "I don't want to sound negative but, as you know, these places are both special and vulnerable." - They are, which is why I asked. I am on the National Trust's volunteer guardian list, and I am also one of the official guardians for the Rollright Stones. I am more than aware of the vulnerability of such places, and it is not people such as myself that should be worrying you. The people who are the cause for the need for people who do this kind of voluntary work are the ones whom you should be considering. Did you consider any of this before you decided to have a web site and a publicly accessible email list?

From: Henry Broughton Leskernick is relatively safe from a 'mass visitation' for a number of reasons: 1. It is far from any road. It takes at least 30 minutes to walk there. This is unlike places such as the Hurlers which are easily accessable to the general public. So most of the people who visit the hill are generally sensitive to the landscape and the ancient remains resting there. 2. There are no obvious or visually outstanding features there. To appreciate Leskernick requires spending lots of time there, exploring and getting a feel for the place. The stone row is hard to find, hidden beneath the scrub and the stone cicles lie recumbant. 3. Although on Common land there is actually no right of way to Leskernick. I think that this means that legally at least one is trespassing. Local people are generally welcoming to people using the moor and it's ok to go there! A Part of the exhibition that we will be showing in Alternun during June will be given to explaining the fragile and complex qualities of the moor to remind any people who decide to go up to the hill to keep to certain 'codes' (eg. Do not move any stones, leave any mess, light fires etc.) It would be nice to have the opportunity to show some of you around during June so that you can meet us. If you do get in touch.

From: Sam Fleming "Leskernick is relatively safe from a 'mass visitation' for a number of reasons..." - I have too much experience with so-called nature worshipping pagans to think that this means you will be altogether safe from this scourge of megalithic Britain. I am one, after all. And I have witnessed such horrors as the remians of a rite in which some of the participants were naked (ok, but in Winter?) and set a fire at the back of the chamber of Wayland's Smithy. And the things that have been done to West Kennet....it makes my blood curdle. It is going to be a bad couple of years with the eclipse this year and the millenium next year. You are bound to get some people turning up. It might be as well to have some sort of plan as to how to deal with it. ASLaN will give you all sorts of information and help if you require it. ... I will get in touch as soon as I think I might be in the area for sure. Thanks for putting me somewhat at ease as to the vulnerability of the site. You will have to excuse me, this is one of my pet ranting subjects. I have seen too many horrible things done in the name of paying homage to the nature spirits.

From: Paul Basu Further to the strand of discussion relating to (unwanted?) visitors to Leskernick. May I ask a provocative (Stonehenge-inspired) question? 'Who Owns Leskernick?' What about a Leskernick Free Festival then! Or a 'Leskernick Belongs to You and Me' exhibition!! I don't mean to be flippant, and clearly there are some important local issues relating to the use of the Moor, but what is the significant distinction between Bodmin Moor and Salisbury Plain? That's a genuine - not a rhetorical - question.

From: Tony Williams precisely, Paul!

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