LOCAL MP Andrew Murrison has written to Kate Mavor, the chief executive of English Heritage, to demand Westbury’s iconic White Horse is given a long overdue makeover.
English Heritage, the body responsible for cleaning the iconic landmark, was supposed to perform a deep clean of the White Horse last year but was unable to, blaming extreme drought and poor weather conditions. The horse was partially cleaned last Autumn following graffiti being sprayed on its head, but criticisms have come from local people that the landmark has become greyer in colour over the years.
Andrew Murrison said, “Our wonderful white horse has become a grey mare. It’s about time the custodian does the small amount of work needed to restore it to its former glory.
“Summer is nearly upon us but there are no signs of work up at Bratton Camp. I have written to suggest there could be community volunteers who could help as has been the case in the past. I would certainly be happy to be involved personally.”
The figure was previously restored in 2006 and then six years later, a group of volunteers, led by Westbury Rotary Club, applied a ThermaTech coating to the horse in time for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. The clean-up team included a group of abseilers, who worked on the steep hillside.
English Heritage free sites manager Ed McGregor said, “We know how well-loved the Westbury White Horse is and we are planning a full programme of conservation repairs this summer. We had hoped to be able to start work to restore its brightness last summer, but unfortunately that had to be postponed at the last moment due to drought conditions nationwide. Since then, we have completed a smaller trial clean on the horse’s head to remove algae and graffiti.”
At the annual town meeting on Tuesday 18th April, one resident asked if Westbury Town Council could take on the responsibility of cleaning the White Horse, but he was told that the cleaning costs could rise to £30,000.
“We don’t own the land or the White Horse itself, so we can only ask English Heritage that they clean it appropriately,” said cllr Sheila Kimmins.
Cllr Gordon King added, “Even if we approached English Heritage to ask that the town council takes on the responsibility of the cleaning it could cost around £30,000. The cost for this particular clean is closer to £60,000.”
Records suggest that the horse was originally cut in the late 1600s, probably to commemorate King Alfred’s victory over the Danes at the Battle of Ethandune believed to have taken place at Bratton Camp in AD 878.
Pictured: The White Horse as it looks today.
