I can’t resist another one:
“Peasants have believed in dowsing, and scientists used to believe that dowsing was only a belief of peasants. Now there are so many scientists who believe in dowsing that the suspicion comes to me that it may only be a myth after all.” ~ Charles Fort
As a conventional scientist one has to be experiencing a powerful form of denial now to ignore the research (even of only the last two decades), regarding the electro-magnetic fields surrounding living organisms (and also the persistence of them after death -although they “fade”, becoming more subtle-). It is the interactions between these energies which determine/describe what are known as the “permissions”.
It cannot be denied…but many would still prefer to smash the place up with HADRON colliders etc.!
I’m finding this a very interesting thread, but don’t have the time at the moment to go into a detailed response.
I’ll just briefly say that I was about 14 months old when I fell very ill (I’d been born a healthy baby of good weight). I became covered in black blisters, like I’d been napalmed and had many other health issues. The doctors didn’t know what it it was, and for want of any better ideas they stuck me in the tropical disease unit of Guys Hospital. After a few weeks, when I still hadn’t died, I was moved to the adjoining Evelyn Street children’s hospital and an intensive care bed.
Now, I won’t bore you with all this, because I obviously survived. I’m mentioning it because there’s a bit of circularity. My mother was a young woman at the time and couldn’t handle it (I was in a very bad way). It was my grandmother who mostly sat beside my hospital bed as I hovered between life and death.
And do you think I’d be afraid of my grandmother? (relating to the earlier story I told).
Another quick aside: I was too young (and ill) to remember the eight weeks or so I spent in hospital. For two years after that I had a monthly appointment at Guys, for tests. I think I was a lab rat, because they never actually figured out what had almost killed me.
By this time (1966) I was old enough to have memories. The journey up to London Bridge was on a steam train! I think this engendered my love of trains, which in later life took me on railways all over the world.
Anyhows, let’s have some more paranormal stories.
I could point you to the mainstream media at the moment: You can’t get much more paranormal than that.
What worries me though guys is this, quote; “One can tell just how compromised Hollywood now is by its output, for the entertainment machine prefers to explore its market-driven predilections than deal seriously with real issues (hence there has never been a, “Nigel the Puritan” flick -taking on the powers of darkness with a mangle and a bar of carbolic-, vampiric producers would rather indulge the Papacy, after all there’s no money in Puritanism*), one may gasp at the schlock-horror of all embracing technocracy but one must never examine the realpolitik of the alternative. Recent events, however, do perhaps indicate that it is time that the entertainment industry contemplated its own demise (at least in terms of the pleasure-button pushing ephemera which have become ubiquitous to the milieu)”: https://www.arafel.co.uk/2018/10/loss-of-signal-wifi.html
*“Before proceeding, a word should be said about capitalizing “Puritanism.” Scholars of English Puritanism no longer capitalize this term in order to emphasize the difficulty of definition, the fluidity of membership, and the centrality of reformed thinking to English society (rather than the idea of a radical wing)” Google
“In order to portray a protracted struggle in a war between the AWFB and the Powers-that-Be a television series (rather than a perfunctory 1hr 50min movie), that straddles the line between cinematic drama and soap-opera, suggests itself, that is unless someone such as either Peter Jackson or George Lucas fancy a crack at creating a franchise! The thought continually occurs though; “Is it really possible to make a silk-purse out of a sow’s-ear?””: https://www.arafel.co.uk/2018/11/loss-of-signal-cont-wifi-ethernet-awfb.html
#Weinswein
Ethernet only is the way to go, I dislike being preached at by those who, I am certain, quote; “Think (they’re), really righteous? Think you’re pure in heart?
Well, I know I’m a million times as humble as thou art
I’m the pious guy the little Amlettes wanna be like
On my knees day and night scorin’ points for the afterlife
So don’t be vain and don’t be whiny
Or else, my brother, I might have to get medieval on your heinie”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOfZLb33uCg
It’s not just posturing, how can we truly experience the magnificence of the universe if we prevent ourselves from sensing/communicating with it?
Quote; "While there’s no direct evidence EMF exposure during childhood can trigger early puberty, one animal study21* did find Wi-Fi and cell phone radiation during pregnancy increased the risk of early puberty in the offspring.
So, it’s possible that generational effects are at play, and/or that this susceptibility is worsened by other environmental factors such as diet, lack of exercise, obesity, stress and exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals and foods high in estrogen.
Without a clear cause, it’s difficult to prescribe a remedy. But I believe it’s safe to say that parents would be wise to pay close attention to what their children are doing and being exposed to — pandemic or not" https://forum.5filters.info/t/why-has-early-puberty-skyrocketed-during-the-pandemic/3043
*Certainly unnecessary, we can determine such things for ourselves without abusing the animal kingdom (see pic.). Also see: https://forum.5filters.info/t/biohazard-the-silent-threat-from-biomedical-research-and-the-creation-of-aids-a-report-by-the-national-anti-vivisection-society-hiv/1233
It’s a powerful apport you report…but there’s too much water under my bridge for me to doubt you.
Here’s a Blue Rose case for ya’ll; “Who do you think this is there?” Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me (1992) - David Bowie as Agent Jefferies - David Lynch - YouTube
My father and step-mother lived in the Brecon Beacons together for over thirty years and I was privileged to be able to explore the area (and the sacred landscape), when I visited them. On a number of occasions I took friends to visit and on one such visit my friend brought his family and we camped next to the Dan Yr Ogof caves: https://www.breconbeacons.org/business/attraction-dan-yr-ogof ; “On site we also have one of the world’s largest collections of life-sized dinosaur models, ranging from the ever popular Tyrannosaurus Rex and Brachiosaurs, to the lesser-known Tsintaosaurus. There are over 130 models here – can you find your favourite dinosaur?”
As my dear departed father pointed out, however; “there is not now…nor has there ever been…any evidence found…for dinosaurs…in the Brecon Beacons’ National Park…in Wales” Father surmised that it must have been some connection between a local councillor and his cousin (or other family), living in somewhere like Newport, who was otherwise known as “Di the Fibre”, who had populated the sacred landscape and its caves so “pale-ontologically”.
I felt, esp. when visiting one of the standing stones near the caves with my friend’s family, that there might be more to Di the Fibre’s work than met the eye; "“the tourist attraction is only a fraction of what’s down there”, though exploring the unseen caves is for experienced cavers only.
During the show, Will enters the public entrance to Dan yr Ogof caves but is soon taken down into the dark depths with cave explorer and one of the UK’s leading cave divers, Martin Farr, who has been exploring the caves since the 1970s.
So far, 16km of tunnels and caverns have been explored but Martin said he “wouldn’t be surprised if it’s three times longer”"…"“How many more places just like this could there be under this mountain?”
https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/secret-caves-dan-yr-ogof-18996988
On-site one is informed of the use of some of the caves for wartime ammunition storage (etc.), however, references to any such secret military use are (no longer), immediately visible online.
Quote; "An earthquake hit Britain on Saturday afternoon, with people from Cornwall to Blackpool reporting “violent shaking”.
The tremor - measuring 4.4 - hit near Swansea, Wales, just after 2.30pm.
Shocked Brits took to social media to say they “felt the ground move” and could feel buildings “shaking”.
It is the biggest onshore UK event in 10 years, since the earthquake in Market Rasen on February 27, 2008.
The earthquake was felt by as many as 10 million Brits as far away as 200 miles from the epicentre in Cwmllynfell, and it was the strongest in South Wales in more than 100 years." https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/live-britain-hit-earthquake-people-12042115
Quote; “Although not competing with areas famous for their instability such as western California, Japan or Sumatra, Wales is a region of regular active Earth movements. You might be surprised to learn that at least sixteen significant earthquakes have occurred in Wales during the last century” https://museum.wales/articles/1283/Earthquakes-in-Wales/
On the afternoon of 17th February (coincidentally also my birthday), I was travelling to Brecon from Southampton by train and thus also passed through the rail tunnel under the Severn at more or less the same time as the quake (changing at Newport for Abergavenny), yet I felt nothing (not like me as I’ve felt quakes before in other places, I guess I was just numb), only learning of the quake when I arrived in Brecon and was listening to the radio in the spare room of my father’s house. My apparent lack of sensitivity did not, however, extend to the day of my father’s cremation. My step-mother and myself were sitting in the living room (waiting for a lift from my father’s masonic buddies), it was deathly quiet and still and the clouds were sitting on the hilltops as they often do there when I heard; “…woo woo woo… crackle…woo woo woo crackle…woo woo” and the roar of a military jet (I once spent a day exploring the sacred landscape just before “Desert Storm” and was treated to a full display of multi-types of military aircraft -also some good stories re:-), I recognised, from the noise it was making, as a Harrier “Jump-Jet” (makes sense to use a Harrier given both crafts’ capabilities):
Now there’s a famous picture!
Of-course it was cloudy and I was indoors, however, I’ve heard (and felt), things like this before (although not specifically whilst in Brecon -#DeclanMurrayRIP reported to me seeing a “flying saucer” from the garden of his flat in Portswood, Southampton some years before he died:
Clearly, to me, the base is in the caves.
Anyhoo…the Masons arrived (we met some of Dad’s Unitarian friends at the crematorium also), and it was they (many of them having been career soldiers in the Parachute Regiment -“Ah that well known oxymoron…the para-normal!”-), who carried his coffin and we said goodbye to that grand old man. True story…on my mother’s too… (to be continued), …
I just happened to come across this old news story today. It occurred back in 2008 and involved two Swedish twins who went a bit insane on the M6 motorway. It was widely reported at the time. What wasn’t widely reported was the follow-up to it all. The following 12 minute video explains it all. UK readers might be familiar with the story, but perhaps not so familiar with what happened afterwards. I think this one belongs in ‘The weird and the eerie’ thread…
Yikes, what a story Despite all the other bizarre occurrences the bit that caught my attention was where the woman assaults a have a go hero with a roof tile that she had in her pocket…
As you do
The roof tile bit made me sit up as well. The story of these Swedish twins is so weird that I corroborated it from a number of other sources. Apparently it did all really happen as shown in the video I posted above.
A little bit more of the weird, and any excuse to play some music: Ignacy Paderewski was a concert pianist and composer who came from a relatively humble background. He also became the first Prime Minister of what is now modern day Poland. One of his first acts in office was to sign the Treaty of Versailles at the end of the First World War.
Here’s a brief clip of Paderewski playing Chopin’s Polonaise in A Flat (could Bojo or Biden or Macron, et al, do this?). I don’t know where the concert hall is, but check out the architecture…
It’s like something out of Metropolis. I recall watching Moonlight Sonata ages ago and I think this is from the film and that it might be a set rather than a real hall. The film was made at Denham according to BFI and some very elaborate sets were made/used there eg by Michael Powell. A good example are the scenes set in heaven, including the immense-looking stairway, in A Matter Of Life And Death.
Now a housing estate.
Kind of reminiscent of the scenes in Twin Peaks in which Leland Palmer talks about how BOB inhabited him as a child.
GKH, thanks for posting the link. I found it very interesting, although the sound level was quite low (I have a bad cold at the moment and my ears are a bit blocked).
I’ve never witnessed ‘possession’. For me it’s another tricky one, because although possession is well documented throughout history, it can be easily hijacked for political/societal purposes (I’ll swivel round the ducking stool again).
There was a case, many decades ago now, which involved a private girls school, somewhere in south east Asia, if I remember, where the young girls all started getting ill and fainting in large numbers. No, it wasn’t due to a visit by Prince Andrew. An investigation concluded that there was nothing medically wrong with the girls, and their condition had been caused by a form of mass hysteria.
The power of the mind, ay.
It is all “mind”…
I’ve got one more for anyone who’s interested.
There’s a long, complicated preamble to this. I’ll keep things short and will just say that in early 2004 I got the gig to renovate a big house in a small village in middle-of-nowhere France, right up in the boondocks. The house was massive and was right in the centre of the village, where three roads met by a natural spring that fed into a horse trough (the spring water was so good that local restaurateurs used to fill up containers with it).
The house had been bought by an English woman who at the time was a minor celeb. I shall just call her ‘J’ and you would have seen her most often on the BBC’s Question Time programme.
Anyhows, J allowed me to live on the job while the house was being renovated. I lived there for 2 years. My office/bedroom was on the 1st floor and had a big window overlooking the centre of the village. It was a large renovation, and aside from the building work I was doing we had all kinds of tradesmen coming and going, as well as curious villagers dropping by. The vin rouge flowed freely. I’m amazed I finished that renovation with my liver still intact.
There were two big ornate doors that led into a grand hallway. The doors were always open during the day, all year round. At night I used to close the doors, yet I never locked them.
One night during my second year living on the job, there was a very loud knocking on those ornate doors. It was the wee hours of the morning and the banging on the doors woke me up. I could hear a guy shouting out in French, but I couldn’t make out what he was saying. I looked out of my first floor window and couldn’t see anything amiss in the village, so I went back to bed, totally knackered after a day’s building work. The banging on the doors continued for about 20 minutes (and remember, the doors weren’t locked).
The next morning I went down to the village store, which was just a few strides away. The store was run by Karine, who was the Mayor’s daughter. Karine and I got on well together. I told her about what had happened overnight. She replied matter-of-factually that it was probably Monsieur (whose name I can’t now remember) who had been mangled and killed in an agricultural accident that happened 20 years previously.
Ha! Thank you…I’ve so many and many include my father, although mother was also “sensitive” so some concern both…
Michael Portillo had it on his “Bradshaw’s” programme that this place had been (paraphr.); “renovated after lying derelict and being vandalised” Hmmm if by “derelict” he meant “unused” then he was misinformed and if by “vandalised” he meant…well I’ve not got time today so I’ll leave that as a tease (remember I told you about the uncle who traded in recreational land?), I was about nine when this happened… https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/cobham-wood-and-mausoleum
#TatchburyMount #truehorrorshow #CobhamWoodMausoleum
I did say I’d expand on my comments but first let me address “a little local difficulty” I’ve been having with a similar site and in similar circumstances, quote; "Dear Hampshire County Council
(I have sought advice from a law firm that specialises in rural/agricultural law re: the responsibilities of farmers to the wider public. I am very concerned to get this matter dealt with as quickly as possible as I fear a far worse accident than the one that befell me may result -esp. to a child-, if action is not taken swiftly to remedy the situation)
The accident happened at around 3pm yesterday (23/11/2023), on Tatchbury Mount. I have both some short videos and some photographs which document my progress until the site of the accident is more or less visible. I have no photographs or video either of my very heavily soiled (& dangerously wet given the conditions & time of day), clothing or the site of the accident because my camera’s optics were (possibly irreparably), damaged as a result of silage water ingress.
There are some steps that lead directly up the mount which run at 90 degrees to the footpath that winds up it (I have video of these), and I took these steps up and climbed onto the top of the mount that way. I videoed what looked like ruined wartime structure just before I encountered the cause of my accident. The area I entered was not fenced in any way and access, whilst slightly circuitous due to one particularly low branch, was not significantly impeded, however, in order to proceed to the eastern side of the mound and rejoin the footpath it is necessary to cross, what at first look like, some relatively shallow silage deposits. The silage is totally uncovered (save some blue bales), and some of it is piled eight to ten feet high if not higher, the deposits are not uniform. There is no way to cross the area without encountering some obstacle that consists of silage. I tried to cross, thinking that there is no way it could be too deep as I was in an area of public access. This was foolish and I ended up knee-deep in silage and flat on my face (as the silage did not give evenly underfoot and I plunged into a quagmire of mud-flat type silage “quicksand”), my fall propelling my camera into the silage which is how water got in the optics. luckily I landed on the side of one of the firmer silage mounds and did not end up totally immersed (but I could have done esp. flat on my face).
I had some waterproof trousers in my pack and, after extricating myself from the silage by risking my neck retracing my steps (this action itself resulting in more heavy soiling of boots, trousers and jacket), I finally changed out of some of my (very smelly), wet clothes at the local Morrison’s store. I must admit to being in something of a state of shock for the experience had been both scary and unexpected and my, prized possession, Sony digicam was ruined. I/was using a walking-stick to help me access the site (I did not use it as a “probe” as I was scared of losing my balance completely). So in terms of “accessibility” I’d have to give Tatchbury Mount a “0”!
I note that the mount itself belongs to Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust Maples Building, Tatchbury Mount, Southampton, Hampshire, SO40 2RZ (023) 8087 4000. I presume, therefore, that a local farmer rents some of the land from the trust. I might point out that Tatchbury Mount is a sight of great historical significance (esp. re: the use of the area as a port), its profile increasing in recent years, I cannot, therefore, understand how it is thought appropriate for both it and its (very), immediate environs to be used for commercial purposes.
Tatchbury though does not appear to be properly valued by HCC as the paths (esp. those from the Hanger Farm Arts centre -routes can be viewed online-), are in a terrible state, the routes are also incomplete, traversing residential areas whilst remaining very poorly marked and signposted (I got lost on my first attempt to find the mount). One of the routes (close to the large Morrison’s store), passes through an estate that itself looks as if it has been deserted by all the finer virtues. This should surely be of concern to HCC. The negligence that has lead to the dangerous situation that has developed at Tatchbuty Mount is exemplified by this very obvious lack of care regarding the maintenance of proper and safe access to the site.
I’m quite convinced that a child (esp. a small one), could be killed in the silage on top of Tatchbury Mount. Quite frankly I’m furious and expect both an explanation and compensation from either SNHSTrust, HCC or from the farmer who is renting the land"
My compact camera is beyond repair and the service agreement ran out in August in any case. Apparently many big brand names don’t make compact cameras anymore because of a parts shortage that has been due to Covid, I’m told they use the parts they do have for the expensive cameras. It’s now difficult to buy a dedicated vlogging camera for under £450 (I hope HCC can afford £450), thank goodness for “Ebay”! My advice is to wait until this logistical issue has been solved to buy a brand new one #Xmas (Mr.Musk)!
Individual vid. urls on “X”: https://twitter.com/Williamtheb/status/1728422649343418542
https://twitter.com/Williamtheb/status/1728423300492062868
https://twitter.com/Williamtheb/status/1728423982502641834
I had just finished recording this a la mode piece concerning the sale of Tatchbury Manor, a property that may stand on the footprint (or part of the footprint), of one of King John’s hunting lodges (in two parts on “X” due to file size restrictions), do view: https://twitter.com/Williamtheb/status/1728387488916623512
https://twitter.com/Williamtheb/status/1728388926816326110
Up until the accident it had been a difficult but interesting day…
In the “Beth Luis Nion” Brythonic Lunar Tree Calendar this month’s full moon is “of the reed” (or “rood”), “Ngetal” in Brythonic, unsurprisingly given that it is the moon that falls between Samhain and the Winter Solstice its attributes are reflective and introspective for the period is of “Samhain”, or “of death”, as one considers one’s suitability for rebirth, almost certainly a time for fasting in the Brythonic priesthood prior to the “Xmas”* feast!
*“O see the poles are kissing as they cross”
The picture is a reconstruction of the Iron Age hill fort but the reeds are still there esp. around the estuary of the River Test as it joins the River Itchen (Solent).
I first found Tatchbury Mount thirty years or so ago whilst I was suffering a serious mental breakdown and camping (unofficially), in the New Forest over a Christmas period that saw temperatures in the forest plummet to -10c. I believe it’s possible that one or more of the members of “Asia” had “found” the site decades ago too (members/a member of “Yes” are known to live in the New Forest):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOMD3oloFss
"When I ran the hounds of hell
Twist my foot, I nearly fell
I was lucky I was alive
One look back, I could have died
I was the sole survivor
Sole survivor
Sole survivor
Solitary fire
When I saw it, I was amazed
One-time glory right in my gaze
I saw the sorrow, I saw the joy
Light in the darkness none could destroy
I am the sole survivor
Sole survivor
Sole survivor
Solitary fire
And from the wreckage I will arise
Cast the ashes back in their eyes
See the fire I will defend
Just keep on burning right to the end
I’ll be the sole survivor
Sole survivor
Sole survivor
Sole survivor
Sole survivor
Sole survivor
Sole survivor
Sole survivor
Sole survivor
Sole survivor
Sole survivor"
Quote; “There is considerable precedent for this type of “displacement activity” in and around Southampton, even the city’s status as a spa town has been forgotten, quote; " Southampton became a spa town in 1740,[39] thanks to the discovery of a spring of chalybeate water.[39] The area was laid out as Spa gardens[39] and earned royal patronage.[39] That further encouraged fashionable society to Southampton[39] and aided its prosperity and development.” Go to: History of Southampton - Wikipedia .
Both the Victoria Park Military Hospital (the largest military hospital in the world -ever-, built in 1863 and used during the Boer War, WW1 and WW2), and Tatchbury House (used for a hospital and recuperation centre for merchant mariners wounded during the Second World War), have been demolished, the former after a fire in the sixties, the latter during recent decades. Southampton and the surrounding area have been and are currently a major centre in the south for the treatment of mental health conditions.
Go to: Netley military hospital chapel restoration complete - BBC News": https://www.arafel.co.uk/2019/12/journey-man-walkinginthewildwestend.html?zx=3989cd9f54475c30
| Location | Calmore | |
|---|---|---|
| County | Hampshire | |
| Year demolished | 2006 | |
| Reason | Long use as a hospital, then surplus to requirements and subsequent dereliction |
Nb. The beautiful lawn is now being used for crops. The view across the estuary and the port was magnificent. A commanding position. “Surplus to requirements and subsequent dereliction” Heh? W**kers!
Anyhoo here’s the punchline, I know for a fact that the Cobham Wood Mausoleum had been desecrated I saw their “work” in the 70s (oh my god what talented -if misguided-, practitioners they must have been), truly beautiful (and disturbing), artwork in coloured chalks on every surface, much bigger than a man, all occult symbolism (I was only about 8-9 & my parents and I were there alone), some of the roof segments had been removed and a stone altar had been placed underneath…I kid you not…me Mom freaked!
Back in the early 90s when I found Tatchbury Mount that Christmas I was truly traumatised and some bugger was using a shotgun in the vicinity, however, it didn’t stop me from having an experience eerily similar to the one recounted in the song. Over the years I’ve become convinced that someone had been “casting & raising” in that house and that what they were raising was very unpleasant, fortunately, for me, they have yet to; “say hello to my little friend!”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVQ8byG2mY8
Having done some further research the vibe of the place wasn’t as disrespected as I thought. It turns out that the “Darnley” mausoleum was in-fact never consecrated, this at least partially explains how the coven (for such it must have been), managed to extensively re-decorate and re-model the structure without their activities being discovered. It also explains why the decoration was predominantly, what appeared to my young eyes to be, Wiccan in nature, however, this witch seems unaware of the structure’s full history, quote; "However, the Darnley Mausoleum isn’t technically speaking a real tomb - because no one’s remains are housed there. According to a National Trust leaflet I picked up at South Lodge Barn, which is a visitor centre for Cobham Wood, Cobham Hall and the mausoleum:
In 1767, the 3rd Lord Darnley left clear instructions in his will that 'a chapel or mausoleum [be built] as a family burying place... on top of a hill in in my Park at Cobham called Williams Hill.' After his death, his widow asked James Wyatt, one of Britain's great architects, to design the mausoleum.
Wyatt's design was exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1783 and the mausoleum was built under the supervision of another architect, George Dance the Younger.
The Mausoleum was never consecrated, so couldn't be used; instead it became a landscape feature in the wood, outside the historic parkland of Cobham Hall...
The mausoleum fell into disrepair after the Second World War and was vandalised by arsonists on 5 November 1980. They set fire to old tyres in the centre of the crypt, causing a huge blaze that brought down the floor of the chapel above and blackened much of the interior.": http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2014/10/house-of-dead-darnley-mausoleum.html
Yet the (“bleedin’ awful”?), witch does know that, quote: “The Eye of Hamsa is often used in protection amulets, particularly popular in the Middle East and North Africa. It is usually depicted as an open hand with an eye in the palm. The open hand is an image that has been used for protection in many cultures and throughout history. Eyes are also protective symbols.”
Quote; "Never used as intended for burials, the detailed, Portland stone-faced Mausoleum was devastated in an arson attack in 1980, rendering it effectively out-of-bounds for the public. The extent of the damage to the mausoleum was such that additional radar and thermographic surveys on the building were required, with complex repair, conservation and refurbishment works following. ": https://www.purcelluk.com/projects/cobham-park/
I wonder why it was torched. Seems like the protection finally wore off!
Here’s a whole bag of hammers! Quote; “Built on the instructions of the 3rd Earl of Darnley in 1786, this mausoleum is one of the great masterpieces of the architect James Wyatt. The story of its recent restoration as part of an £8 million project to revive the whole park at Cobham is one of the most heartening of recent years. It has been effected through a remarkably complex partnership of bodies, including Gravesham Borough Council, Cobham Hall, English Heritage, Union Railways, Natural England, Kent County Council, the Woodland Trust and the National Trust. Following the break-up of the Cobham estate in 1957, the mausoleum became neglected, and the construction of the M2 motorway in 1963 made it a magnet for joyriders* and vandals. The nadir of its fortunes came on Guy Fawkes Night in 1980, when the crypt was packed with petrol cans and tyres and ignited. The subsequent explosion reduced the interior to ruin. Stimulus for the project came from compensation money paid out when the Channel Tunnel Railway Link cut through the northern edge of Cobham Park. A trust was set up to drive forward the restoration as part of a more ambitious park project. The architect for the restoration was Purcell Miller Tritton, the main contractor was Paye, and Worthington Stone Carving has been responsible for the admirable masonry repairs and replacements to the mausoleum. The architectural work was underpinned by historical research by Roger Bowdler of English Heritage. Having been awarded Heritage Lottery funding in 2003, the restored mausoleum was handed over to the National Trust this year and is open to the public.”: https://enfilade18thc.com/2009/12/19/restoration-of-james-wyatts-darnley-mausoleum-recognized/
*?
“Remember, remember the fifth of November! Gunpowder, treason and plot!”
