Call to groom Westbury white horse

[maxi]

http://www.wiltshiretimes.co.uk/news/latestheadlines/9370615.Call_to_groom_Westbury_horse/

[Monica Reyes]

It is filthy again and a disgrace to the town and the English Heritage, time to dig out the concrete and expose the chalk again?

[badger]

English heritage have ruled out spending out money on this horse at present fact!
My spolution to this matter at a meeting on thursday is to let this be a town council led project from the start.
David Jenkins was quite excitble by Insisting that we carry on pursuing English Heritage , the hard fact was the community want the horse cleaned back to a white horse not a dirty mare , and ideally be done in time for the jubilee celebrations , by insisting on English heritage to carry out the work even though they have stated they do not have the money at present, so we would be left with a dirty grey mare come june 2012.
My suggestion is the town council put up some of the money and then apply to the Area board for match funding , whilst asking Bratton parish council to contribute towards the cost , to have this project done . Then after start pressurising English heritage to make sure this landmark is earmarked every time it needs cleaning.this was agreed fully by all members present.
The basis of why it has become the state it is , because when the chimney at lafarge was active the paint on the white horse was able to withstand the lichens thus keeping the colour since the chimney has ceased to be used , has created a different form of lichen which has caused this state, after cleaning has been carried out then we can ask English heritage to use a suitable paint for the current conditions which the new lichens are happily thriving off.

[Mike Hawkins]

My suggestion is the town council put up some of the money and then apply to the Area board for match funding , whilst asking Bratton parish council to contribute towards the cost , to have this project done .

Westbury Town Council should put up NO more money unless Bratton Parish Council match fund and pay a contribution to the last "make over". They keep reminding us that the White Horse is in Bratton (unless money is to be spent on it!)

As a local taxpayer I will legally challenge whether it is legal for Westbury Town Council to spend money raised from the town precept to be spent on projects outside the town!

[badger]

Mike that is what i have said asking Bratton to contribute towards this project, If the town council do not wish to contribute towards this a solution will be found from other channels

[Jayday]

I can see why Westbury Town Council have an interest in cleaning up the White Horse as it overlooks our town. However as Mike H has mentioned Bratton keep banging on about how it's their horse, so I really think they should be stumping up some cash.

[badger]

Mike I think you will find yes it is legal , remind yourself , as you voted last year to a grant to Bitham brook school for £500.00 to send onto Zaire, this was legally checked thoroughly and deemed legal as it benefitted local people, I was one of the council that voted against that grant, but hey Ho good luck with your legal challenge.I have stated Bratton will be asked to contribute towards this project already, the main factor here is as the white horse is facing westbury and seen from arounf westbury , we need to get it cleaned asap.

[DORIAN]

totally agree with statements made but when i hear about ,"Bratton must pay or match fund"

HOW

[Bob De'Bilda]

I've never heard anyone from Bratton banging on about how It's their horse. It's within Bratton parish but for all intents and purposes It's the Westbury White Horse. You can't see it from Bratton village. It over looks Westbury! English Heritage 'own' it and are responsible for It's upkeep. Westbury's taxpaying residents shouldn't have to pay for It's upkeep any more than any other taxpayer.
English Heritage need a kick up the ass!

[badger]

I agree Bob , Ive also never heard or read about Bratton banging on about how  it is their horse etc!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The White Horse does display itself to the town of westbury and is known as the Westbury White Horse , When It was recarved even Bratton came under The Banner as apart of westbury and until the early part of the 20th century did not have a council, as they came under the area of Westbury.
It Is most obvious Bratton would not have the resources to pay for its cleaning , so I did suggest to the unitary councillor for Ethendune Julie Swabey whether Bratton might Like to contribute towards this project . She is In agreement and will ask Bratton parish council.As the Area board Is concerned we have decided that this project can be match funded should the relevant application come from the town and parish council , And as such the white horse should be cleaned ready for the Jubilee celebrations In June 2012. 

[Andy]

I just constantly ask myself time and again why ever was it changed from naturally cleansing chalk to weathering concrete!?

[badger]

I can answer that question Andy , It was concreted as every year the horse when It was chalk had to be recut and new chalk layed down , otherwise the horse would lose its shape very quickly which costs alot more than the current cemented version.

[charlie finbow]

I agree its a mess.   To be fair the German Company who supplied the paint stated it would last possibly 5 years, this was accepted and WTC contributed £5.000 towards the cost.

English Heritage in my opinion should foot the bill, lets face it whatever we own we have to pay for the upkeep.

This is an old argument and one which will go on just like should those who do not drive and live in Westbury pay, through their Council Tax, for the upkeep of Car Parks.

Mike Hawkins has a valid point though with the cessation of the Chimney possibly the habitat of the Horse has changed.   No doubt experts will tell us and a price will be found to fix it.

How about covering it in white ceramic tiles and then you could clean it with Shower Magic for a fraction of the cost.

[Monica Reyes]

Perhaps an abseiling club should be asked if they would like to have a go at cleaning it, in return the town could sponsor them or something. English heritage should not be in charge of any of our lesser treasures, all they care about are the big ones that bring in the money such as stonehenge.

I would like to see EH put in some facilities up there, toilets and a café with a shop, it could bring in a bit of revenue and help pay for the upkeep of the place, and bring in fines for lazy dog owners who refuse to pick up the poop up there too!

[Soup]

I'm sure we could apply for a heritage grant from the National Lottery for this...but it would just be another short term solution and in 2 years time we'll have the same problem.

Mind you there is one patch of the horse that is still clean.