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The village of Avebury |
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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  |
A KEY feature of Avebury is the village it holds within its boundaries.
Many of the stones were broken down during the Seventeenth Century to
use as building materials for the expansion of the village.
Many of the houses and walls in Avebury were built with the remains of
the great stones. For today's local residents, having one of Britain's most impressive prehistoric complexes on the doorstep is an honour, but it also brings conflict in the forms of commercialisation and preservation. 
The intervention of the National Trust has made this more clear-cut by
stopping the exploitation of the site, as has Avebury's status as a
World Heritage Site.But tourists still bring litter and traffic, their postcards block up the post-box and it is a constant battle to protect the monument. Still, the tiny village of Avebury has retained an identity, albeit revolving around the stone circle. 
Avebury has a village cricket team and pitch, hence tourists are asked to take care when
passing from the car park to the village, as they may come perilously
close to a cricket ball or two.
The Red Lion pub is said to be haunted by the ghost of Florrie.
As legend has it, she has haunted the pub ever since she was murdered by
her husband in Cromwellian times.A visit by TV documentary makers resulted in a terrifying experience for ex-Blue Peter presenter Yvette Fielding. Like the Avebury stone circle, Avebury Manor has had a chequered past. Built in the 16th century, villagers and council alike have resisted attempts to commercialise it, most notably by Ken King who wanted to turn it into an Elizabethan theme park. He eventually sold the property to the National Trust. Check out our News Archive for more information on the history of Avebury from 1961 to the present day. |
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