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| Stone Formation Archive 1989 |
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 Stone Formations news, views, gallery and archive brought to you by Weird Wiltshire Introduction Latest News News Archive Stonehenge Stonehenge Project Stonehenge 360 Avebury Saviours Stones Village Solstice Wayland Smithy Long Barrow Woodhenge Gallery Summer Solstice Gallery 2002 Summer Solstice Gallery 2004 Postcards Wallpaper Links  |
First published on June 8, 1989 ONE of Avebury Manor's main critics predicts Ken King's Elizabethan experience will be history within the next few months. Sir Hugh Jones, who this week stood down as chairman of Avebury In Danger (AID) to let new blood take over, believes the venture is attracting fewer people than Mr King had hoped. Legal problems surrounding changes at the manor and opposition from individuals and organisations will also take their toll, said the former Liberal diplomat. He disputed Mr King's claim that last week's official opening figure was nearly 4,000; Sir Hugh said it was nearer 1,000, with many of them non-paying guests. "He has declared a target of 75,000 to 100,000 paying visitors this year. To date there has clearly not been as many as 10,000 and the season is nearly half over," he said. Both he and fellow critic Ludovic Kennedy have also been attacked for staying away from the ceremony. Sir Hugh said both of them were at their Avebury homes dealing with complaints from people about the "desecration" of the 16th century manor and surrounding village. Comments from Mr King that no one from AID had been to see the manor were incorrect. "Many members of AID have been to see it, but the manor owner wouldn't recognise them if he saw them," said Sir Hugh. "He never participates in village community activities as all local AID members do." With the manor open since the end of March there have been many complaints from residents about the noise from loudspeakers, cannons, muskets and horns in a village normally noted for its tranquillity and serenity. Sir Hugh, decrying Mr King's statement that he is only doing exactly what 1,500 other homes around England have done, says the circumstances are entirely different. "Places like Littlecote and Bowood are stately homes in their own large parks, not in the middle of a village." Unruffled by the criticism and predictions of doom Ken King is as ardent with his denials as is Sir Hugh with his accusations. "We have been open only 11 weekends and as a business we must take two to three years to grow properly. "I know every single person who is involved in AID by name and by sight and since it was formed not none member has been into my grounds. "They have been invited in on three occasions, but nobody has bothered to take that invitation up. "Contrary to what Sir Hugh says we are directly involved in the village through sponsorship, gifts to the WI and Over-60s Club. "We have also been to every parish meeting since we got here, even when we've had nothing on the agenda, and to the main AGM. "It was a blustery, snowy night and we saw people from the other side of Avebury there. "However, Sir Hugh Jones, whose lights were on and who lives right next door, did not attend." Mr King is also puzzled as to where Sir Hugh got his attendance figures because he says Avebury Manor's records show nearly 20,000 having visited it. He added that the manor had had more than 500 letters of support and no complaints of excessive noise. Back to 1989 index |
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