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fachtna
mikki
6 posters
Silbury Hill's Anglo-Saxon makeover
mikki- Join date : 2009-01-29
Age : 32
Location : West Yorkshire
fachtna- Join date : 2010-09-28
Hello - another 'report' on more recent events at Silbury Hill can be found here http://sites.google.com/site/anotherstoryfromsilburyhill/ along with some observations on the new book 'The Story of Silbury Hill' by Jim Leary and David Field
regards
fachtna
regards
fachtna
PeteG- Join date : 2009-02-01
Fachtna,
I understand your problem with EH about your removal from Silbury but is it really fair to have a go at Jim and Dave?
Jim was bought in at short notice after you were taken off site and when asked to take over the project he refused.
After much arm twisting he agreed and did his best in very difficult circumstances.
Every book has minor errors in, that just the way it is.
Jim always credits you in his talks and in the book.
I'd like to read a book about your account of your time at Silbury as you were there from the off and I believe you have much to add to the record of Silbury in recent years,
warm regards,
Pete
I understand your problem with EH about your removal from Silbury but is it really fair to have a go at Jim and Dave?
Jim was bought in at short notice after you were taken off site and when asked to take over the project he refused.
After much arm twisting he agreed and did his best in very difficult circumstances.
Every book has minor errors in, that just the way it is.
Jim always credits you in his talks and in the book.
I'd like to read a book about your account of your time at Silbury as you were there from the off and I believe you have much to add to the record of Silbury in recent years,
warm regards,
Pete
mikki- Join date : 2009-01-29
Age : 32
Location : West Yorkshire
fachtna wrote:Hello - another 'report' on more recent events at Silbury Hill can be found here http://sites.google.com/site/anotherstoryfromsilburyhill/ along with some observations on the new book 'The Story of Silbury Hill' by Jim Leary and David Field
regards
fachtna
Hi Fatchna & welcome to the mad forum.
I gather from your link that there is still much to be said about Silbury Hill.
It certainly makes interesting reading.
That would make a damn good book! Maybe you could call it Silbury Hill: The real inside story.
A time-line of events & observations from your time at Silbury.
regards
Mikki x
cropredy- Join date : 2009-02-02
Fachtna,
Hello, and welcome.
Could You please tell if You experienced anything whilst in the hill?
I am a dowser, and have wandered all over that hill, before and after the recent works.
I can detect a pair of flows that are disernable apart in their ultimate spin method of earthing and emitting from the planet, and there are several such flows centred where the hill is sited.
Before the works there was a detectable flow entering into where the centre collapsed, it was not a strong flow but was spiralling into that point.
once the tunnel had been fully opened the flows instead flowed very powerfully into the tunnel, and I assume earthed in some point/s in there.
Since it has been re-filled, those flows into the hill have almost stopped, and the main flow now travels over the road up towards the rear of WKLB where it turns at aprox 80 degrees to enter into the rear of the barrow aprox one hundred yards from the barrow.
The reason I ask if you experienced any feelings is the strength of the flows there, and that I detect it as been one half of the dual spin flows.
I am of the opinion that the hill was gradually built to resist the earthing of these flows into the earth at a time when the flows naturally began to wane, thus a gradual need to ever more resist the earthing there, otherwise the required flows would not have reached the barrows.
I assure You that different materials interact in unique ways with these flows, and that a very carefull arrangement of layered multi layers will manipulate the flows in desired manner.
There is one flow that travels at the surface upto aprox 30 inchs, then another opposite direction flow above that, the ditch and embankments were to entice them apart and direct each flow in the desired pathways.
Avebury was a super such place to manipulate these two flows and increase their potentials.
The ignorance to these flows is understandable, but that ignorance will also mask the effects on different humans imho.
We are all variant in out sensitivities to these flows, and react differently, this should have been taken into account and watched for at that hill in particuler imho.
cropredy
Hello, and welcome.
Could You please tell if You experienced anything whilst in the hill?
I am a dowser, and have wandered all over that hill, before and after the recent works.
I can detect a pair of flows that are disernable apart in their ultimate spin method of earthing and emitting from the planet, and there are several such flows centred where the hill is sited.
Before the works there was a detectable flow entering into where the centre collapsed, it was not a strong flow but was spiralling into that point.
once the tunnel had been fully opened the flows instead flowed very powerfully into the tunnel, and I assume earthed in some point/s in there.
Since it has been re-filled, those flows into the hill have almost stopped, and the main flow now travels over the road up towards the rear of WKLB where it turns at aprox 80 degrees to enter into the rear of the barrow aprox one hundred yards from the barrow.
The reason I ask if you experienced any feelings is the strength of the flows there, and that I detect it as been one half of the dual spin flows.
I am of the opinion that the hill was gradually built to resist the earthing of these flows into the earth at a time when the flows naturally began to wane, thus a gradual need to ever more resist the earthing there, otherwise the required flows would not have reached the barrows.
I assure You that different materials interact in unique ways with these flows, and that a very carefull arrangement of layered multi layers will manipulate the flows in desired manner.
There is one flow that travels at the surface upto aprox 30 inchs, then another opposite direction flow above that, the ditch and embankments were to entice them apart and direct each flow in the desired pathways.
Avebury was a super such place to manipulate these two flows and increase their potentials.
The ignorance to these flows is understandable, but that ignorance will also mask the effects on different humans imho.
We are all variant in out sensitivities to these flows, and react differently, this should have been taken into account and watched for at that hill in particuler imho.
cropredy
Paulus- Join date : 2009-08-20
Location : Yorkshire
Hi Kev -
A serious point you might wanna think about. We all appreciate that you sense all sortsa fine & dandy energies and flows at these sites, as you constantly tell everyone, everywhere... Have you ever thought it might be good to try asking questions about such places, eg, "Could You please tell if You experienced anything whilst in the hill?" and actually just leave it there? To try not influence the person, or even potentially put-them-off answering, as they might not be the sorta dood who relates to such things? Y' get wot I mean, yeah...? One step at a time is usually the best thing to do. If summat along such lines flowers into conversation, then fair enough.
We all know your opinions about these energies (FFS I started experiencing 'em 40yrs back, then read everything I could about 'em, but keep mi mouth shut about much of it, for good reasons), but try keeping 'em "on hold" so to speak. One step at a time mate.
Cheers - Paul
A serious point you might wanna think about. We all appreciate that you sense all sortsa fine & dandy energies and flows at these sites, as you constantly tell everyone, everywhere... Have you ever thought it might be good to try asking questions about such places, eg, "Could You please tell if You experienced anything whilst in the hill?" and actually just leave it there? To try not influence the person, or even potentially put-them-off answering, as they might not be the sorta dood who relates to such things? Y' get wot I mean, yeah...? One step at a time is usually the best thing to do. If summat along such lines flowers into conversation, then fair enough.
We all know your opinions about these energies (FFS I started experiencing 'em 40yrs back, then read everything I could about 'em, but keep mi mouth shut about much of it, for good reasons), but try keeping 'em "on hold" so to speak. One step at a time mate.
Cheers - Paul
cropredy- Join date : 2009-02-02
"Forty years"
For the times they are a changin.
I was going to just leave it as the question, but wondered if fachtna had any idea about what I was asking after, so I waffled on, a bit.
Everyone seems awfully keen to shut me up??
I worked for many years as a service eng.
I saw ever so many mess up systems because they didn't know the basics of how the system works.
Once You realise how a syatem operates, then the consequences of all reactions and interactions become evident, should I stick my head in a bucket of sand for forty years?
It's a mighty powerfull spot where four points meet on Ilkley moor, with or without tat.
I suspect you heard it well, is it just for the appointed?
Kevin
For the times they are a changin.
I was going to just leave it as the question, but wondered if fachtna had any idea about what I was asking after, so I waffled on, a bit.
Everyone seems awfully keen to shut me up??
I worked for many years as a service eng.
I saw ever so many mess up systems because they didn't know the basics of how the system works.
Once You realise how a syatem operates, then the consequences of all reactions and interactions become evident, should I stick my head in a bucket of sand for forty years?
It's a mighty powerfull spot where four points meet on Ilkley moor, with or without tat.
I suspect you heard it well, is it just for the appointed?
Kevin
Paulus- Join date : 2009-08-20
Location : Yorkshire
cropredy wrote:...I was going to just leave it as the question, but wondered if fachtna had any idea about what I was asking after, so I waffled on, a bit. Everyone seems awfully keen to shut me up??
Not at all Kev. And it's nowt to do with "sticking your head in the sand" either. But please try appreciate that people operate at different rates, speeds, or might be stuck, or have specific perspectives of a different nature, etc. Jumping in with both feet might be OK with some folk, but (as your experiences appear to be showing you), keep a focus on yourself, that's all I'm saying - as you can just as easy push people away without care and attention to what your words & notions. You know this anyway, and I'm just trying to remind you of it, that's all. One step at a time!
It's a mighty powerfull spot where four points meet on Ilkley moor, with or without tat. I suspect you heard it well, is it just for the appointed?
Not quite sure where you mean. The prime "spot where four points meet on Ilkley moor" could be the Ashlar, the Buck Stones, Nixon's Station, the Swastika, the Great Skirtful - each with this ingredient in their respective spirit nature. But there are other sites up there to which this could equally apply, depending on ritual function, calendrical influences, astrological effects, etc. You see wot I mean about being specific and keeping focus? If we're a bit woolly about how we ask, or how we approach people, their response can be one of ignorance, confusion, or down right avoidance! (and when people visit sites with the same approach, the feedback they get can cause some reet trouble!) Hence the reason for my initial post Kev. Please take it in the spirit I meant it.
Cheers - Paul
PS - & wot's this Muddy tells me, abaat you coming up Meanwood sometime soon? You'll have to meet the Guru and our other affiliated species.
cropredy- Join date : 2009-02-02
Paulus,
I appreciate Your considered advice.
I do focus on myself, and let nothing near Me, but can be at one with the flows.
My son lives in meanwood, which is an interesting place, especially where the stone quarries were.
Swastika stone.
cropredy
I appreciate Your considered advice.
I do focus on myself, and let nothing near Me, but can be at one with the flows.
My son lives in meanwood, which is an interesting place, especially where the stone quarries were.
Swastika stone.
cropredy
fachtna- Join date : 2010-09-28
cropredy wrote:Fachtna,
Hello, and welcome.
Could You please tell if You experienced anything whilst in the hill?
I am a dowser, and have wandered all over that hill, before and after the recent works.
I can detect a pair of flows that are disernable apart in their ultimate spin method of earthing and emitting from the planet, and there are several such flows centred where the hill is sited.
Before the works there was a detectable flow entering into where the centre collapsed, it was not a strong flow but was spiralling into that point.
once the tunnel had been fully opened the flows instead flowed very powerfully into the tunnel, and I assume earthed in some point/s in there.
Since it has been re-filled, those flows into the hill have almost stopped, and the main flow now travels over the road up towards the rear of WKLB where it turns at aprox 80 degrees to enter into the rear of the barrow aprox one hundred yards from the barrow.
The reason I ask if you experienced any feelings is the strength of the flows there, and that I detect it as been one half of the dual spin flows.
I am of the opinion that the hill was gradually built to resist the earthing of these flows into the earth at a time when the flows naturally began to wane, thus a gradual need to ever more resist the earthing there, otherwise the required flows would not have reached the barrows.
I assure You that different materials interact in unique ways with these flows, and that a very carefull arrangement of layered multi layers will manipulate the flows in desired manner.
There is one flow that travels at the surface upto aprox 30 inchs, then another opposite direction flow above that, the ditch and embankments were to entice them apart and direct each flow in the desired pathways.
Avebury was a super such place to manipulate these two flows and increase their potentials.
The ignorance to these flows is understandable, but that ignorance will also mask the effects on different humans imho.
We are all variant in out sensitivities to these flows, and react differently, this should have been taken into account and watched for at that hill in particuler imho.
cropredy
Hello cropredy - many thanks for the welcome. I went inside Silbury in two different contexts - firstly in 2000 when I was lowered into the re-opened shaft on the top of the hill; and secondly in 2007 when English Heritage re-opened the tunnels at its base (although this was only for a distance inewards of some 30m as I was then dismissed from the site, replaced by Jim Leary and forbidden to return).
I am afraid that in both instances, but particularly in 2000, my over-riding feeling was being somewhere that was very uncomfortable. This feeling eased a little in 2007 after some days familiarity with the work environment but never quite went away.
Sorry I can't be more helpful. For me part of the fascination of Silbury is that there can never be 'The Story of Silbury Hill' as everyone can have their own views.
fachtna
fachtna- Join date : 2010-09-28
Dear Pete,
Thank-you for your thoughts and for your previous help with Silbury matters.
In this instance I have set out the facts associated with my removal and exclusion from Silbury which I am aware of on my website and people can make their own judgements. I have also provided documentation etc which shows how my contribution to the Silbury Conservation project between 2000 and June 15th 2007 has been acknowledged by Mr Leary
With regard to 'The Story of Silbury Hill' I have updated the relevant website page to present examples which clearly show how facts (those that I have some knowledge of) that do not quite fit the picture that the author(s) wish to portray are omitted from the book.
People might want to keep this evidence of a willingness by Mr Leary to rewrite and re-present recent history in mind when they read the depiction of events above which has been provided to you.
To be absolutely clear I am not suggesting for one moment that you have any motive or reason for posting this view other than that you believe it to be true.
I will never write a book about my time at Silbury as this is only a topic that I can return to of necessity; with considerable effort and with no pleasure whatsoever.
best wishes
fachtna
Thank-you for your thoughts and for your previous help with Silbury matters.
In this instance I have set out the facts associated with my removal and exclusion from Silbury which I am aware of on my website and people can make their own judgements. I have also provided documentation etc which shows how my contribution to the Silbury Conservation project between 2000 and June 15th 2007 has been acknowledged by Mr Leary
With regard to 'The Story of Silbury Hill' I have updated the relevant website page to present examples which clearly show how facts (those that I have some knowledge of) that do not quite fit the picture that the author(s) wish to portray are omitted from the book.
People might want to keep this evidence of a willingness by Mr Leary to rewrite and re-present recent history in mind when they read the depiction of events above which has been provided to you.
To be absolutely clear I am not suggesting for one moment that you have any motive or reason for posting this view other than that you believe it to be true.
I will never write a book about my time at Silbury as this is only a topic that I can return to of necessity; with considerable effort and with no pleasure whatsoever.
best wishes
fachtna
PeteG wrote:Fachtna,
I understand your problem with EH about your removal from Silbury but is it really fair to have a go at Jim and Dave?
Jim was bought in at short notice after you were taken off site and when asked to take over the project he refused.
After much arm twisting he agreed and did his best in very difficult circumstances.
Every book has minor errors in, that just the way it is.
Jim always credits you in his talks and in the book.
I'd like to read a book about your account of your time at Silbury as you were there from the off and I believe you have much to add to the record of Silbury in recent years,
warm regards,
Pete
cropredy- Join date : 2009-02-02
fachtna wrote:cropredy wrote:Fachtna,
Hello, and welcome.
Could You please tell if You experienced anything whilst in the hill?
I am a dowser, and have wandered all over that hill, before and after the recent works.
I can detect a pair of flows that are disernable apart in their ultimate spin method of earthing and emitting from the planet, and there are several such flows centred where the hill is sited.
Before the works there was a detectable flow entering into where the centre collapsed, it was not a strong flow but was spiralling into that point.
once the tunnel had been fully opened the flows instead flowed very powerfully into the tunnel, and I assume earthed in some point/s in there.
Since it has been re-filled, those flows into the hill have almost stopped, and the main flow now travels over the road up towards the rear of WKLB where it turns at aprox 80 degrees to enter into the rear of the barrow aprox one hundred yards from the barrow.
The reason I ask if you experienced any feelings is the strength of the flows there, and that I detect it as been one half of the dual spin flows.
I am of the opinion that the hill was gradually built to resist the earthing of these flows into the earth at a time when the flows naturally began to wane, thus a gradual need to ever more resist the earthing there, otherwise the required flows would not have reached the barrows.
I assure You that different materials interact in unique ways with these flows, and that a very carefull arrangement of layered multi layers will manipulate the flows in desired manner.
There is one flow that travels at the surface upto aprox 30 inchs, then another opposite direction flow above that, the ditch and embankments were to entice them apart and direct each flow in the desired pathways.
Avebury was a super such place to manipulate these two flows and increase their potentials.
The ignorance to these flows is understandable, but that ignorance will also mask the effects on different humans imho.
We are all variant in out sensitivities to these flows, and react differently, this should have been taken into account and watched for at that hill in particuler imho.
cropredy
Hello cropredy - many thanks for the welcome. I went inside Silbury in two different contexts - firstly in 2000 when I was lowered into the re-opened shaft on the top of the hill; and secondly in 2007 when English Heritage re-opened the tunnels at its base (although this was only for a distance inewards of some 30m as I was then dismissed from the site, replaced by Jim Leary and forbidden to return).
I am afraid that in both instances, but particularly in 2000, my over-riding feeling was being somewhere that was very uncomfortable. This feeling eased a little in 2007 after some days familiarity with the work environment but never quite went away.
Sorry I can't be more helpful. For me part of the fascination of Silbury is that there can never be 'The Story of Silbury Hill' as everyone can have their own views.
fachtna
Thank You for the description of how You felt, it is understandable to myself .
I know this may seem odd, but the interaction between the forces that are so concentrated there and each individual, is individual, this is to do with complicated overlapping geometries that are not recognised or accepted in todays society.
The forces could have affected Yourself in a manner that is difficult to verbalise, but in my opinion should have been allowed for in such a unique location.
I am super sensitive to the forces there, and was almost pulled off the road as I passed through the flow that was earthing into the tunnel when it was fully opened, I would not have been surprised if a serious road accident had occured there.
We have discussed this strange feeling experienced by different posters at different sites.
The flows involved with Silbury hill are the most powerfull I have ever detected, I was extremely concerned for those working there, most would not have been affected as I said it's about the two way geometric involvement.
nobody will believe what I am saying, but I suspect You were affected by those flows because of this interaction, the more sensitive peoples would have been those who built it, who could interact with the flows they sought to locally manipulate for the good of their local tribe and environment, it is all forgotten presently, but will be remembered by those that can.
Thank You again for replying.
kevin
PeteG- Join date : 2009-02-01
Hello Fachtna,
as you know this is the popular public book about Silbury not the complete monograph.
My understanding is that it will be a long time coming and full of facts and tables which the general public will find hard to read not being trained archaeologists and not understanding the words archaeologists use in these types of reports.
Jim and Dave have both worked hard on the Silbury project and personally I think it is an excellent account of the work at Silbury over the last decade.
Yes there are a few things I could point out that are not quite right but I don't see how this will help anyone.
Michael Dames' latest Silbury book has so many errors it should never have gone to the printers. IMHO
Your problem on site seems to have been more with Mark, who I understand has now left Skanska and is CEO of another engineering company.
Your treatment by EH was handled very badly and nobody seems to be a winner because of this.
When events started in June 2007 everyone locally knew something was amiss and speculation was rife and the theories ranged from the strange to the absurd!
According to one account you had discovered a room full of Alien artifacts and EH spirited them away and shut you up.
I was asked by a mutual friend to help calm things down on various internet forums as your job was on the line and I was happy to do this.
As you know I documented Everything. I was the only one to notice the re-editing of the video's I sent to you.
I think it's important that you give your side of events but I find it hard to see Jim and Dave in the firing line. I have only known Jim for 3 years but I have known Dave for a decade and from my talks with them both I know they have a great respect for you and the work that you did at Silbury, as do I.
If you are not going to write your own book then it would help everyone if you could put down your positive experiences at Silbury on a website.
I am currently co-authoring a book about Avebury and will send you the chapter on Silbury ahead of publication for you to comment on and correct if that is ok with you?
Warmest regards,
Pete
Ps. Not being an EH employee there is probably a lot I don't know about that has gone on behind the scenes.
Please excuse my ignorance.
as you know this is the popular public book about Silbury not the complete monograph.
My understanding is that it will be a long time coming and full of facts and tables which the general public will find hard to read not being trained archaeologists and not understanding the words archaeologists use in these types of reports.
Jim and Dave have both worked hard on the Silbury project and personally I think it is an excellent account of the work at Silbury over the last decade.
Yes there are a few things I could point out that are not quite right but I don't see how this will help anyone.
Michael Dames' latest Silbury book has so many errors it should never have gone to the printers. IMHO
Your problem on site seems to have been more with Mark, who I understand has now left Skanska and is CEO of another engineering company.
Your treatment by EH was handled very badly and nobody seems to be a winner because of this.
When events started in June 2007 everyone locally knew something was amiss and speculation was rife and the theories ranged from the strange to the absurd!
According to one account you had discovered a room full of Alien artifacts and EH spirited them away and shut you up.
I was asked by a mutual friend to help calm things down on various internet forums as your job was on the line and I was happy to do this.
As you know I documented Everything. I was the only one to notice the re-editing of the video's I sent to you.
I think it's important that you give your side of events but I find it hard to see Jim and Dave in the firing line. I have only known Jim for 3 years but I have known Dave for a decade and from my talks with them both I know they have a great respect for you and the work that you did at Silbury, as do I.
If you are not going to write your own book then it would help everyone if you could put down your positive experiences at Silbury on a website.
I am currently co-authoring a book about Avebury and will send you the chapter on Silbury ahead of publication for you to comment on and correct if that is ok with you?
Warmest regards,
Pete
Ps. Not being an EH employee there is probably a lot I don't know about that has gone on behind the scenes.
Please excuse my ignorance.
fachtna- Join date : 2010-09-28
Dear Pete
As I hope I have made clear I have no doubt whatsoever of your goodwill and good intentions when you have engaged with these rather sorry Silbury issues.
To address the points you have made:
I accept that this is the popular public book but this does not mean that it is acceptable to engage in misrepresentation to support an incorrect portrayal of events (in fact quite the opposite as the vast majority of readers can have no direct knowledge of what has taken place and rely upon the accuracy of the author's account).
I have no problem at all in accepting that 'Jim and Dave' have worked hard on the Silbury project.
I was employed at Silbury by English Heritage not by Skanska and decisions about my work assignments and employment were made by my managers at English Heritage, namely in ascending order of seniority, Michael Russell, Brian Kerr, Christopher Scull, Dr Edward Impey and Dr Simon Thurley.
Although I was an English Heritage employee you appear to be far better informed than I am as to what went on 'behind the scenes' - my knowledge of all of this is as set out on my website.
You have claimed that Mr Leary had to have 'his arm twisted' by 'them' before he took over from me on site - something that could be construed as bullying in the workplace. I am not aware of any complaint being made by Mr Leary about him about having been subjected to treatment of this kind. Perhaps there was a carrot and a stick approach by them - whoever 'they' are.
If you look at known outcomes for some of the key participants you will see that 2 people (Mr Leary and Mr Kerr gained considerable academic recognition, being elected together as 'Fellows of the Society of Antiquaries' whilst another person (me) was selected for compulsory redundancy.
The last time I spoke with Mr Leary was in June 2007 when I wished him good luck as he was leaving Portsmouth for Silbury. I cannot recall when I last spoke with (or corresponded) with Mr Field but it would be some considerable time before.
My correspondence with Mr Leary since he replaced me in June 2007 is reproduced below (with some additional correspondence to provide context):
1.22nd August 2007
1.1 Email from Jim Leary to F McAvoy
‘Fachtna - Brian asked me if it was OK for you to visit next Thursday. This isn't the best day to visit - the hilltop works will have finished and no-one will be allowed in the tunnel. A better day would be week beginning 17th September.’
1.2 Email from F McAvoy to Jim Leary
‘Dear Jim - thanks for the message.
As you should now be aware I am continuing in my position as project manager for the archaeological work and we need to meet on-site to review events to date and begin to discuss the future programme.
The weekly meeting next Thursday was suggested as a time when Sarah would next be available and I think we should keep to this date for discussion about the future - access to the works is not necessary for this.
If this is not, as you suggest, a good day to review events to date then this will need to take place asap. Presumably you have a weekly meeting tomorrow so please add my name to the list of visitors.
See you then.’
1.3 Email from Brian Kerr to F McAvoy
‘Having discussed this with Jim, I have to agree that it is not a good idea for you to visit site. I have also just spoken to xxxxxxxxx [Overall Project Manager], who is very unhappy at the prospect of you visiting Silbury, to the extent that he is not willing to give permission for you to enter the site, which I take to include the site compound. In this context, I must insist that you do not travel to Silbury tomorrow.’
2. 24th August 2007
2.1 Email from Michael Russell to 'All'
‘Brian, who is currently on leave, has asked that I circulate his message:
‘Dear Colleagues,
Following allegations made against Fachtna, which he vigorously contested, he was withdrawn from the site at Silbury Hill. The subsequent investigation has cleared Fachtna of these allegations.
Jim Leary will continue to manage the current programme of fieldwork to its completion, while Fachtna remains Project Manager for the assessment, analysis and dissemination programme. Jim will be meeting with Fachtna after completion of the recording project to discuss their relative roles and responsibilities in this programme.
This has been a long and trying process for all concerned, but most of all for Fachtna. I am grateful to Fachtna for his continuing patience and professionalism, to Jim for taking over at such short notice and managing the Silbury fieldwork since June, and to Sarah May for her invaluable support.’
2.2 Email from F McAvoy to Jim Leary
‘You should now have received the email from Brian setting out the outcome of the investigation and providing some clarification of our respective roles.
In this respect I would just like to re-assure you, before the long bank holiday weekend begins, that:
• I have not sought and am categorically not seeking to change and/or amend in any way whatsoever any of the arrangements for the completion of the engineering and archaeological recording and investigative works that have been or will be agreed with you, either now or in the future.
And
• I have not sought and am not seeking in ay way whatsoever to have any role in supervising or managing you or any of the team.
And
• I fully acknowledge that you are in charge of the archaeological work during this fieldwork stage.
I have, of course, absolute confidence that you and the project team are carrying out the best job that can be done, and doing so in what I know myself to be very difficult circumstances.
I entirely agree that a meeting intended to discuss in any detail the future stages of the project would be distracting and premature at this time and indeed I have not sought one – rather a first opportunity for us to meet and say hello since June 18th.
Now that we can leave aside any unnecessary distractions I think that it would obviously be reasonable and beneficial if I were to visit Silbury next week (at a time when there is an opportunity to re-visit the tunnelling) and I would be grateful if you could let me know when would be the earliest time that this can be arranged.’
3. 29th August 2007
3.1 Meeting at Fort Cumberland, Portsmouth (I was in the room above)
Attended by Christopher Scull, Brian Kerr, Sarah May, Michael Russell and xxxxxxxxx [Inspector of Ancient Monuments].
3.2 Email from Michael Russell to F McAvoy
‘Thank you for copying me into this mail [sent by F McAvoy to Jim Leary, above]
I must instruct you that under no circumstances must you visit the Silbury site.’
25th January 2010
Email from Fachtna McAvoy to Jim Leary
‘The website 'The Modern Antiquarian' (TMA) now contains a direct link to an account of a lecture you gave on Saturday which has been prepared by one of the audience. This account includes the phrase 'Jim Leary, the archaeological director for English Heritage throughout the work'.
This is not the first time that these same words have appeared in print - they were contained for example in an article in the Guardian by Maev Kennedy published on the 12th May 2008 - and as far as I am aware this misleading statement has never been publicly corrected.
I would be grateful therefore if you could place a post on the TMA website which explicitly notes that I was the 'director' of the archeological work at Silbury Hill for English Heritage from 2000 until the 15th June 2007 and that you only adopted this role thereafter.’
26th January 2010
Email from Jim Leary to Fachtna McAvoy
‘No, I am not going to post on the Modern Antiquarian …. I am also not to be held accountable for other people’s posts or indeed journalist’s reports – if I spent my time correcting their mistakes I would have no time to do anything else. My role in the Silbury project was made clear before and during the lecture on Saturday – This is shown by the most recent posting on the Modern Antiquarian: “On Saturday I attended the excellent talk about Silbury by Jim Leary (Director of Fieldwork for English Heritage 2007-08).”
If people want information on who was in charge of what and when, I think it is unlikely that they will go to the Modern Antiquarian for it – more likely they will look in the popular book … which … makes your role in the project very clear.
I will not be drawn further into this discussion’.
I have reproduced all of this so that people can have an informed view on your claim below that Mr Leary has a great respect for me and for the work I did at Silbury.
best regards
fachtna
As I hope I have made clear I have no doubt whatsoever of your goodwill and good intentions when you have engaged with these rather sorry Silbury issues.
To address the points you have made:
I accept that this is the popular public book but this does not mean that it is acceptable to engage in misrepresentation to support an incorrect portrayal of events (in fact quite the opposite as the vast majority of readers can have no direct knowledge of what has taken place and rely upon the accuracy of the author's account).
I have no problem at all in accepting that 'Jim and Dave' have worked hard on the Silbury project.
I was employed at Silbury by English Heritage not by Skanska and decisions about my work assignments and employment were made by my managers at English Heritage, namely in ascending order of seniority, Michael Russell, Brian Kerr, Christopher Scull, Dr Edward Impey and Dr Simon Thurley.
Although I was an English Heritage employee you appear to be far better informed than I am as to what went on 'behind the scenes' - my knowledge of all of this is as set out on my website.
You have claimed that Mr Leary had to have 'his arm twisted' by 'them' before he took over from me on site - something that could be construed as bullying in the workplace. I am not aware of any complaint being made by Mr Leary about him about having been subjected to treatment of this kind. Perhaps there was a carrot and a stick approach by them - whoever 'they' are.
If you look at known outcomes for some of the key participants you will see that 2 people (Mr Leary and Mr Kerr gained considerable academic recognition, being elected together as 'Fellows of the Society of Antiquaries' whilst another person (me) was selected for compulsory redundancy.
The last time I spoke with Mr Leary was in June 2007 when I wished him good luck as he was leaving Portsmouth for Silbury. I cannot recall when I last spoke with (or corresponded) with Mr Field but it would be some considerable time before.
My correspondence with Mr Leary since he replaced me in June 2007 is reproduced below (with some additional correspondence to provide context):
1.22nd August 2007
1.1 Email from Jim Leary to F McAvoy
‘Fachtna - Brian asked me if it was OK for you to visit next Thursday. This isn't the best day to visit - the hilltop works will have finished and no-one will be allowed in the tunnel. A better day would be week beginning 17th September.’
1.2 Email from F McAvoy to Jim Leary
‘Dear Jim - thanks for the message.
As you should now be aware I am continuing in my position as project manager for the archaeological work and we need to meet on-site to review events to date and begin to discuss the future programme.
The weekly meeting next Thursday was suggested as a time when Sarah would next be available and I think we should keep to this date for discussion about the future - access to the works is not necessary for this.
If this is not, as you suggest, a good day to review events to date then this will need to take place asap. Presumably you have a weekly meeting tomorrow so please add my name to the list of visitors.
See you then.’
1.3 Email from Brian Kerr to F McAvoy
‘Having discussed this with Jim, I have to agree that it is not a good idea for you to visit site. I have also just spoken to xxxxxxxxx [Overall Project Manager], who is very unhappy at the prospect of you visiting Silbury, to the extent that he is not willing to give permission for you to enter the site, which I take to include the site compound. In this context, I must insist that you do not travel to Silbury tomorrow.’
2. 24th August 2007
2.1 Email from Michael Russell to 'All'
‘Brian, who is currently on leave, has asked that I circulate his message:
‘Dear Colleagues,
Following allegations made against Fachtna, which he vigorously contested, he was withdrawn from the site at Silbury Hill. The subsequent investigation has cleared Fachtna of these allegations.
Jim Leary will continue to manage the current programme of fieldwork to its completion, while Fachtna remains Project Manager for the assessment, analysis and dissemination programme. Jim will be meeting with Fachtna after completion of the recording project to discuss their relative roles and responsibilities in this programme.
This has been a long and trying process for all concerned, but most of all for Fachtna. I am grateful to Fachtna for his continuing patience and professionalism, to Jim for taking over at such short notice and managing the Silbury fieldwork since June, and to Sarah May for her invaluable support.’
2.2 Email from F McAvoy to Jim Leary
‘You should now have received the email from Brian setting out the outcome of the investigation and providing some clarification of our respective roles.
In this respect I would just like to re-assure you, before the long bank holiday weekend begins, that:
• I have not sought and am categorically not seeking to change and/or amend in any way whatsoever any of the arrangements for the completion of the engineering and archaeological recording and investigative works that have been or will be agreed with you, either now or in the future.
And
• I have not sought and am not seeking in ay way whatsoever to have any role in supervising or managing you or any of the team.
And
• I fully acknowledge that you are in charge of the archaeological work during this fieldwork stage.
I have, of course, absolute confidence that you and the project team are carrying out the best job that can be done, and doing so in what I know myself to be very difficult circumstances.
I entirely agree that a meeting intended to discuss in any detail the future stages of the project would be distracting and premature at this time and indeed I have not sought one – rather a first opportunity for us to meet and say hello since June 18th.
Now that we can leave aside any unnecessary distractions I think that it would obviously be reasonable and beneficial if I were to visit Silbury next week (at a time when there is an opportunity to re-visit the tunnelling) and I would be grateful if you could let me know when would be the earliest time that this can be arranged.’
3. 29th August 2007
3.1 Meeting at Fort Cumberland, Portsmouth (I was in the room above)
Attended by Christopher Scull, Brian Kerr, Sarah May, Michael Russell and xxxxxxxxx [Inspector of Ancient Monuments].
3.2 Email from Michael Russell to F McAvoy
‘Thank you for copying me into this mail [sent by F McAvoy to Jim Leary, above]
I must instruct you that under no circumstances must you visit the Silbury site.’
25th January 2010
Email from Fachtna McAvoy to Jim Leary
‘The website 'The Modern Antiquarian' (TMA) now contains a direct link to an account of a lecture you gave on Saturday which has been prepared by one of the audience. This account includes the phrase 'Jim Leary, the archaeological director for English Heritage throughout the work'.
This is not the first time that these same words have appeared in print - they were contained for example in an article in the Guardian by Maev Kennedy published on the 12th May 2008 - and as far as I am aware this misleading statement has never been publicly corrected.
I would be grateful therefore if you could place a post on the TMA website which explicitly notes that I was the 'director' of the archeological work at Silbury Hill for English Heritage from 2000 until the 15th June 2007 and that you only adopted this role thereafter.’
26th January 2010
Email from Jim Leary to Fachtna McAvoy
‘No, I am not going to post on the Modern Antiquarian …. I am also not to be held accountable for other people’s posts or indeed journalist’s reports – if I spent my time correcting their mistakes I would have no time to do anything else. My role in the Silbury project was made clear before and during the lecture on Saturday – This is shown by the most recent posting on the Modern Antiquarian: “On Saturday I attended the excellent talk about Silbury by Jim Leary (Director of Fieldwork for English Heritage 2007-08).”
If people want information on who was in charge of what and when, I think it is unlikely that they will go to the Modern Antiquarian for it – more likely they will look in the popular book … which … makes your role in the project very clear.
I will not be drawn further into this discussion’.
I have reproduced all of this so that people can have an informed view on your claim below that Mr Leary has a great respect for me and for the work I did at Silbury.
best regards
fachtna
PeteG wrote:Hello Fachtna,
as you know this is the popular public book about Silbury not the complete monograph.
My understanding is that it will be a long time coming and full of facts and tables which the general public will find hard to read not being trained archaeologists and not understanding the words archaeologists use in these types of reports.
Jim and Dave have both worked hard on the Silbury project and personally I think it is an excellent account of the work at Silbury over the last decade.
Yes there are a few things I could point out that are not quite right but I don't see how this will help anyone.
Michael Dames' latest Silbury book has so many errors it should never have gone to the printers. IMHO
Your problem on site seems to have been more with Mark, who I understand has now left Skanska and is CEO of another engineering company.
Your treatment by EH was handled very badly and nobody seems to be a winner because of this.
When events started in June 2007 everyone locally knew something was amiss and speculation was rife and the theories ranged from the strange to the absurd!
According to one account you had discovered a room full of Alien artifacts and EH spirited them away and shut you up.
I was asked by a mutual friend to help calm things down on various internet forums as your job was on the line and I was happy to do this.
As you know I documented Everything. I was the only one to notice the re-editing of the video's I sent to you.
I think it's important that you give your side of events but I find it hard to see Jim and Dave in the firing line. I have only known Jim for 3 years but I have known Dave for a decade and from my talks with them both I know they have a great respect for you and the work that you did at Silbury, as do I.
If you are not going to write your own book then it would help everyone if you could put down your positive experiences at Silbury on a website.
I am currently co-authoring a book about Avebury and will send you the chapter on Silbury ahead of publication for you to comment on and correct if that is ok with you?
Warmest regards,
Pete
Ps. Not being an EH employee there is probably a lot I don't know about that has gone on behind the scenes.
Please excuse my ignorance.
lowergate- Join date : 2010-11-01
Age : 75
Location : CLITHEROE
Fachtna McAvoy Dev is right in what the verb states
Best regards
Tempest
fachtna- Join date : 2010-09-28
Hello - sorry could you explain what this means?
best regards
fachtna
best regards
fachtna
lowergate wrote:
Fachtna McAvoy Dev is right in what the verb states
Best regards
Tempest
PeteG- Join date : 2009-02-01
Hello Fachtna,
Just to clarify a few things.
I didn't mean to imply that Jim was bullied by anyone within EH, only that I have been told he was reluctant to step into your shoes.
I photographed the Silbury project from beginning to end with the best of my abilities. I thank you and Jim and Mark for giving me the chance to document the project in such a unique way.
I was also invited to the Marden Henge dig this year which Jim directed.
I have Never heard Jim say a bad word about you to anyone in all the time I spent with him on either site.
I know that Jim being made a FSA is something that must hurt as you probably feel you should have been also. I would like to have seen you made a FSA as I think your long term work at Silbury work deserved it.
I don't have any info from within EH that you would be unaware of only local talk at the time which ranged from those in the know to down right batty theories.
The story that you found King Zil's Gold and ran away with it was quickly squashed as Skanska had the whole tunnel system covered with CCTV.
I don't feel comfortable about talking about this in public anymore so will talk to you by email from now on.
warm regards,
Pete
Just to clarify a few things.
I didn't mean to imply that Jim was bullied by anyone within EH, only that I have been told he was reluctant to step into your shoes.
I photographed the Silbury project from beginning to end with the best of my abilities. I thank you and Jim and Mark for giving me the chance to document the project in such a unique way.
I was also invited to the Marden Henge dig this year which Jim directed.
I have Never heard Jim say a bad word about you to anyone in all the time I spent with him on either site.
I know that Jim being made a FSA is something that must hurt as you probably feel you should have been also. I would like to have seen you made a FSA as I think your long term work at Silbury work deserved it.
I don't have any info from within EH that you would be unaware of only local talk at the time which ranged from those in the know to down right batty theories.
The story that you found King Zil's Gold and ran away with it was quickly squashed as Skanska had the whole tunnel system covered with CCTV.
I don't feel comfortable about talking about this in public anymore so will talk to you by email from now on.
warm regards,
Pete
lowergate- Join date : 2010-11-01
Age : 75
Location : CLITHEROE
Hi Kiddo,
"I live on Earth at present, and I don’t know what I am. I know that I am not a category. I am not a thing — a noun. I seem to be a verb, an evolutionary process – an integral function of the universe."
(Richard Buckminster Fuller)
OKAY DOKAY !
fachtna- Join date : 2010-09-28
Hello Pete - I have no problem at all with anyone being made an FSA (or anything else for that matter). I have only mentioned this to illustrate who 'benefited' as a result of events at Silbury in June 2007.
I do have a problem however with the wholly unwarranted and unmerited treatment that I was subjected to at Silbury Hill and afterwards and, above all else, with the anxieties and stresses for my family created by the unfair and unreasonable actions and behaviours of some publicly salaried employees and managers in English Heritage.
best regards
fachtna
I do have a problem however with the wholly unwarranted and unmerited treatment that I was subjected to at Silbury Hill and afterwards and, above all else, with the anxieties and stresses for my family created by the unfair and unreasonable actions and behaviours of some publicly salaried employees and managers in English Heritage.
best regards
fachtna
PeteG wrote:Hello Fachtna,
Just to clarify a few things.
I didn't mean to imply that Jim was bullied by anyone within EH, only that I have been told he was reluctant to step into your shoes.
I photographed the Silbury project from beginning to end with the best of my abilities. I thank you and Jim and Mark for giving me the chance to document the project in such a unique way.
I was also invited to the Marden Henge dig this year which Jim directed.
I have Never heard Jim say a bad word about you to anyone in all the time I spent with him on either site.
I know that Jim being made a FSA is something that must hurt as you probably feel you should have been also. I would like to have seen you made a FSA as I think your long term work at Silbury work deserved it.
I don't have any info from within EH that you would be unaware of only local talk at the time which ranged from those in the know to down right batty theories.
The story that you found King Zil's Gold and ran away with it was quickly squashed as Skanska had the whole tunnel system covered with CCTV.
I don't feel comfortable about talking about this in public anymore so will talk to you by email from now on.
warm regards,
Pete
mikki- Join date : 2009-01-29
Age : 32
Location : West Yorkshire
Hi Fachtna,
Are you taking this to an Employment Tribunal?
Regards
Mikki x
P.S. - I know there is a member on this forum that's more that qualified in that arena.
Are you taking this to an Employment Tribunal?
Regards
Mikki x
P.S. - I know there is a member on this forum that's more that qualified in that arena.
fachtna- Join date : 2010-09-28
Hi Mikki - sorry I haven't replied earlier.
I need to be careful with this bit - I am not taking this particular issue ie matters related directly to Silbury Hill to an Employment Tribunal.
Thanks for the suggestion.
best wishes
fachtna
I need to be careful with this bit - I am not taking this particular issue ie matters related directly to Silbury Hill to an Employment Tribunal.
Thanks for the suggestion.
best wishes
fachtna
mikki wrote:Hi Fachtna,
Are you taking this to an Employment Tribunal?
Regards
Mikki x
P.S. - I know there is a member on this forum that's more that qualified in that arena.
mikki- Join date : 2009-01-29
Age : 32
Location : West Yorkshire
fachtna wrote:Hi Mikki - sorry I haven't replied earlier.
I need to be careful with this bit - I am not taking this particular issue ie matters related directly to Silbury Hill to an Employment Tribunal.
Thanks for the suggestion.
best wishes
fachtna
No worries Fatchna - I know where you are coming from
I will leave it at that 
Good luck
Mikki x
fachtna- Join date : 2010-09-28
Hi Mikki - its quite a long time now since I 'posted' here and quite a few things have happened since then.
I have put the details of my Employment Tribunal Hearing on my website (https://sites.google.com/site/anotherstoryfromsilburyhill/) and I hope that this will be of some interest to people.
with very best wishes
fachtna
I have put the details of my Employment Tribunal Hearing on my website (https://sites.google.com/site/anotherstoryfromsilburyhill/) and I hope that this will be of some interest to people.
with very best wishes
fachtna
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