Hereford's Ribbon has backing of government

1:00pm Thursday 4th September 2008

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HEREFORD’S Rotherwas Ribbon is worth preserving – and that’s official.

The government response to a petition started on the Prime Minister’s website to save it states the monument is a “significant find, worthy of being fully recorded for future research and of being protected in-situ”.

It continues to say that the interest generated by the discovery in 2007 of the neolithic site is a vivid testament to the value people attach to their cultural heritage.

“The government recognises this and remains committed to the principle that there should be a presumption in favour of the physical preservation of nationally important archaeological remains (whether scheduled or not) that are affected by proposed development,”

the statement reads.

“English Heritage is currently working with Herefordshire Council, and with the contractor’s advisors, Worcestershire Historic Environment and Archaeology Service, to ensure that a viable solution for the preservation of these fragile remains is being implemented.

“Over coming months, it is hoped that post-excavation analysis, together with further investigations in the vicinity of the Rotherwas Ribbon, will help to broaden understanding of its significance.”

The petition was started following the discovery of the monument that lay in the path of the Rotherwas access road. It stated that it was as important as Stonehenge and road building must stop immediately. It also called for a full public inquiry.

Since then the road has been completed, with the monument preserved under protective materials.

Three large scale excavations have been carried out in the area surrounding the road. The findings included a palaeochannel (a former water course) and a neolithic and bronze age settlement.

The water course offered valuable clues about early vegetation in the area, and soil, which included traces of pollen, was sent off for tests.

Traces of dandelion indicated that the land was cleared and there was evidence of cereals being grown.

And at the settlement, bits of cracked stone were found, giving evidence to claims that some of the earliest houses in Herefordshire were built in the area.