Andy Burnham's Blog, page 123

All Saints Church (Youlgreave)

There has been a church in Youlgreave since as early as the 8th century. The original Saxon church would probably have been made of wood and thatch. In the year 1050 the church was granted to St Mary’s Abbey in Leicester. The building you see today was begun in the 12th century. The church contains many interesting carvings and monuments.

Louisenlund Grove

Louisenlund grove contains the second largest collection of standing stones on Bornholm island. The name refers to the purchase by the Danish king Frederik VII during his visit to Bornholm in August 1851. The grove was named after his consort, countess Louise Danner, who secured the grove a steady annual support for maintenance. Many stones have slanting edges, possibly for use as pointers to the stars. The edge of the centre stone points at 51.2 degrees NE, which is sunrise at summer solstice.

Aphrodisias

Ancient Settlement in Aydin Province, Turkey The site boasts a town wall, the remains of a Temple of Aphrodite, Roman baths, an odeon and a stadium. It was also inhabited in the Bronze age, between 2800 and 2200 BCE, from which a höyük (mound) and burial sites remain. A UNESCO World Heritage Site and a 'must visit' site in Turkey according to our member Peter Burke. (see visit log)

Horsebjerg Runddysse

Very striking stone colours at this megalitgrav (burial chamber) in Holbæk. The chamber has five orthoststs, a large capstone and three entrance stones. Dimensions 4 x 10 meters. More information at the Danish Sites and Monuments Record: 030404-49.

Thimbleby Nine Stones

These Bronze Age standing stones are located in the southern part of Thimbleby Moor, North Yorkshire, near a field boundary. The northern pair could form part of the alignment, as not far from it there are several fallen stones. The southern pair is located next to the boundary, one of the stones could be a later marker. The site is marked on updated OS maps. Sandy Gerrard has surveyed this site, his photos and notes are on our page.

Sandvin Standing Stone

Next to the driveway of a local house and inside a private garden in a small village south of Odda called Sandvin (Norway) is one of the strangest shaped standing stones I have seen! The stone is surrounded by lawn grass and a car was parked less than a metre away when I visited it. The stone is mentioned in traditional literature and was here long before any houses were present. It is uncertain if it there were other stones or barrows here previously.

Bruce Adams Photo / Art Albums

Bruce Adams, one of our members since 2012, sadly died last month - he had motor neurone disease. Bruce wrote: "Over the years I have assembled albums recording my visits to stone circles and related sites. I would very much like to pass these on to someone who will appreciate them. I am not asking for payment and only have a desire to see them go to a good home. I would rather not see them broken up and dispersed."

Andy B's Old Stones talk Sat 26th Nov Mile End London E3

Later this Megalithic Portal founder Andy B is the guest of the London Dowsers. We will be at the Coborn Arms, Mile End, London E3 2DA.
A highly illustrated and fast paced talk based around many of the themes, new discoveries and mysteries highlighted in our book The Old Stones, along with a look at many lesser known but interesting sites.

Tjuvbørje

This hillfort is located on a flat natural rocky plateau in Buskerud, Norway, with steep sides and fir forest with a very nice view over the Lågendalen valley to the west. The wall consists exclusively of dry stone, some quite large. It is well preserved in many places 1 - 1.5m high, with well-preserved brickwork. The fort is on the south part of the plateau divided from the rest of the mountainside by a narrow ravine. The fort area is 100 metres north to south and 50 metres east to west.

Sentry Circle

Modern stone circle in North Yorkshire built using local grit stone. Constructed by volunteers over a period of 3 years and completed in 2008.