Have those Druids been at it again?

Standing stone at Brierley, overlooking South Kirby Hillfort (photo by Mothy)

Local folklore had a stone circle located on Ringstone Hill near Brierley in South Yorkshire, overlooking South Kirkby Hillfort. It disappeared many years ago but recently there were reports that it might have been rediscovered, guarded by a nearby standing stone.

Exploration on the spot revealed that the nine stones were a little too similar in size to be the real thing and on further investigation it emerged that they were placed there, not by Druids or Ancient Britons but by the SESKU (South Kirkby, South Elmsall and Upton) Regeneration team in around 1990 as part of the regeneration landscaping of a former colliery landscape that surrounds the village. Today they provide a place from which to view the local landscape and act as a feature on the Ringways Path.

Still, as Mothy, a contributor on Julian Cope’s Modern Antiquarian web site (http://www.themodernantiquarian.com), says ” Whoever built this was certainly aware of its position in the landscape. It’s a cracking spot.”

Location: The new Ringstone stone circle is on the NE edge of Grimethorpe Grid Ref: SE 430 105. Mothy on the Modern Antiquarian also gives instructions on how to find it, as follows:

” Setting out from the South Kirkby Hillfort car park, walk or drive up Holmsley Lane towards Brierley. Turn right at the junction and then into the lay-by immediately in front of the waste recycling centre. To the right of the WRC is a gateway with car park (no signs).

“At the back of the car park is an ornate gateway and a standing stone can be seen behind it on the horizon. The gateway says “SESKU Environmental Group” and there is an image of a presumably celtic couple (see photo above).

“This is the Brierley Gap entrance to the Ringways Path, a 13 mile environmental project and pathway in the area. Go through the gateway (ignoring the graffitti and trying not to trip over the burnt out remnants of various fridges, bedsteads, computers, etc) and walk up the field to the circle.

“There is one standing stone and nine recumbent stones, seven of which are laid to form a circle, the other two being inside the circle towards the area of the standing stone.

“The site immediately overlooks South Kirkby Hillfort (see photo) to the West, and the area of Ferrybridge Henge is visible to the North (see photo -look for the plumes of smoke on the horizon – this is Ferrybridge C powerstation.

Nearest Town: Barnsley (9km SW)

OS Ref (GB): SE426099 / Sheet: 111

Latitude: 53° 35′ 1.05″ N

Longitude: 1° 21′ 23.21″ W

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Is it a Shed, is it a Tower? Who Cares, it’s a Folly!

Shed-tower-folly by Jayne Tarasun, 2007

What better way to start 2008 than with a new folly design by a new folly builder, the self styled folly-smith, Jayne Tarasun of Cornwall? 

Artist Jayne has brought the concept of the folly tower into the 21st century, reviving this unique and celebrated slice of British eccentricity and fusing it with contemporary design principals and traditional, sustainable materials. Using cedar, oak, copper and glass, each structure is a tower of tranquillity, designed to engage the senses, enliven the spirit and offer a platform from which we can establish a reconnection between our landscape, our skyscape and ourselves.

Each folly follows a particular design, 5ft square by 10ft high, and has a mezzanine level where owners can sit and relax and read or just look out of the window into the branches of a neighbouring tree.

• Materials include chestnut frame, cedar shingles, copper roof and laminated safety glass in French doors and windows
• Design includes secure 5 lever locked front door, ladder to mezzanine-level platform. Fully lined and insulated
• Planning permission not usually required

Design templates can be adapted to individual requirements. Price on application, includes initial site visit (to assess positioning), delivery and erection. A bespoke design service is also available for function and site specific space.

But what to call it – I suggest a she-tower – a combination of shed and tower -which also reflects the female identity of its designer.

About Jayne: After starting her career in furniture making, constructing bespoke commissions, Jayne Tarasun went on to study Fine Art at Cheltenham College of Art, where she specialized in printmaking. In 1995 she won the Gane Travel Scholarship, which allowed her to study in Barcelona. Jayne has exhibited extensively throughout the UK and she currently works from her studio in Cornwall.

In 2006, Jayne embarked on an MA course in design at UCF, where the seeds of her Folly business were starting to germinate. One year later she decided to focus her energy into `Folly-Smith’ designing, manufacturing and exhibiting her first prototype in Autumn 2007. This has been viewed by thousands of people and is on display at the Trevarno Gardens in Cornwall.

Jayne also designs bespoke, site specific follies tailored to her clients needs.

Contact details:

Jayne Tarasun, 2 Post Office Row, Gweek, Nr Helston, Cornwall TR12 6TU tel: 01326 221750 emailjayne@tarasun.co.uk

http://www.folly-smith.com

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