In the miasma and lacklustre of the new year illness, I received this excellent email from The Clayhanger Kid, Brian Stringer. Many readers will remember that before Christmas, I featured an article here from the Express & Star, detailing his excellent idea for a monument and information point near to the location where the Staffordshire Hoard was found. At the time, I suspected the article to be a bit scant, and Brian kindly agreed to send me a copy of his plans.
Sadly, I received the details when ill and never got around to posting them here. So here goes. For the record, I think this is a great idea and deserves our support. My views on some of the dafter ramblings around the find are well known, but I do think the site should be recorded publicly.
My best wishes to Brian, and if there’s anything I can do, please drop me a line. I promise to get the post up a bit quicker next time.
- Brian’s idea for the short section of road off the Barracks Lane island, left orphaned by the M6 Toll. This is a greg idea, in my opinion. I’m sure with careful diplomacy and accommodation could be reached.
Hi Bob.
Happy New Year to all bloggers.
I thought it about time I explained myself about the E&S article, re. the [Stafforshire] Hoard.
Since it was found, several suggestions have been put forward about preserving the site. Fred [The landowner and farmer] is adamant he wants nothing on the land. Some local councillors are talking about a visitors center similar to the one at Sutton Hoo.
In the present climate I think that is a non starter so I’ve tried to come up with a cheap version for now.
Last year I asked Fred if we could put a cairn of some sort on the site. He said no. I asked if we could erect a post or flagpole or something. He said it would hinder him when he comes to plough in a couple of years time.
Then I thought of the stones at Carsington Water, and he agreed with that as it wouldn’t be on his land.
My worry is that in a few years time, the land will get ploughed over, hedges or boundaries moved and if we don’t do something in 20 years time nobody will remember where the hell the site was. Also if Fred passes on and his nephews sell the land, who’s to say in years to come we couldn’t have a housing estate or retail park there. Unlikely I know, but when I was kid, Clayhanger Lane was green belt and no one could build there, we were constantly told. Now look at it.
I just feel that Brownhills should just hang on to something, despite the apathy of the big Bird and his lot.
I have made an amateurish attempt to clarify my idea and I hope you can grasp the idea.
The hole through the centre of the plinth would focus on the centre of the site.
Information plaques and pictures could be put on the plinth or extra hoardings.
The whole road stub could be cleaned up and a small car park incorporated.
Hope drawings show up OK.
Brian
Brian’s idea for a monument. I think this is an excellent example of thinking past the limitations imposed. Top stuff.