One of Bodmin Moor's most attractive and accessible stone circles is to undergo repairs. The Trippet Stones stand on Manor Common, between Bodmin and Blisland (Cornwall, England). The circle, which was originally comprised of 27 stones, was erected about 4,000 years ago during the Bronze Age when the moor was densely populated. Now, just 12 stones remain and of these four are recumbent and eight standing with two of them leaning at an angle of 45 degrees to the ground.
     Whilst the work is being carried out the public are being invited to visit to learn more about the prehistoric archaeology of Bodmin Moor. The work is the third and final stage in a programme of erosion repair at the Trippet Stones. Ann Preston-Jones, Cornwall County Council's field monument warden, said: "A marked feature of the circle is the erosion around the base of each of the stones, a problem arising from a combination factors. The soft damp peaty ground, the poor drainage and stock rubbing up against the stones. The eroded holes are up to five metres across and 0.6 metres deep. Their large size undoubtedly explains why two of the stones are leaning and others have fallen."
     Archaeologists from the historic environment service will be working alongside North Cornwall District Council's countryside service and conservation volunteers to fill the deeply worn holes around the base of the standing stones and to set up one stone that fell 25 years ago. Previous work has seen four of the eroded hollows filled using many tons of stone, earth and turf. The four remaining holes will be filled to give those stones greater stability, protect them from further erosion and make them more accessible.
     The public can attend the site on Tuesday, October 17 and Thursday, October 19 when Tony Blackman of the Cornish Archaeological Society will be on hand to explain the work and introduce visitors to the prehistoric archaeology of the moor. And if you can't get along during the day, there will be talks in Blisland and St Breward at 7pm on the evenings of Tuesday October 17 and Wednesday, October 18. Details are posted in the two villages.

Source: This is Cornwall (11 October 2006)