Tuesday 3 March 2015

Legacy


Forgive me for crowing, but after well over 300 years, the three dogs on this wall - together with the wall they sit on - have finally got Grade 2 Listed status with English Heritage and the Secretary of State - all because of little me! I was informed that my application was successful today.

I might have bored you with this before, but I have been looking after these 17th century dogs in Winsley, Wiltshire for over 25 years now, and have saved them from vandals, thieves, antique dealers and plain apathy during that time.  I asked English Heritage to list them, and - bless them - they have!

Having been peacefully ignored for about 290 years and received unwanted attention for the next 25, they are now safer than they have ever been in all their long lives.

Tony Blair talked a lot about 'legacy', but this will do me, thanks.

31 comments:

  1. Wonderful news! Good job, Tom.

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    1. It is good, eh? I am so bloody elated after all this time.

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  2. It's a good job that we have people like you to save our heritage Tom. Those dogs are majestic. XXXX

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  3. Fantastic news Tom.

    How have you managed to keep them safe from vandals and thieves in the past, and how will they be protected in the future?

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    1. Stainless steel bands across the feet in both cases.

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  4. Well done!! That's an accomplishment to be proud of. Crow away.

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  5. At that height, it's amazing that they haven't been half-inched. I'd certainly give someone a few quid for them!

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    1. Once - twice actually - some dealers offered money for them, because they knew they could make a killing. I thwarted both attempts.

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  6. I have visions of you doing sentry duty walking up and down with your shotgun warding off all invaders 24 hours a day. Do the wall and dogs belong to someone or are they all that is left of an old estate. Sorry, maybe you have explained all this before. Well done you though, not an easy feat.

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    1. They are the remnants of an old estate, but they are currently owned by Wiltshire County Council. They were going to be demolished for a road-widening scheme!

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  7. Darling Tom,

    We applaud your persistence and, of course, your achievement. This end result is exactly what is needed and you have stayed true to the cause doggedly for so long, many others would have long since given up and, still greater numbers would never have bothered or even batted an eyelid in the first place.

    Your post raises for us a wider issue in the world today which is one of so much to look at but does anyone really see any more. And, if they do happen to cast a glance in a particular direction, what exactly are they seeing or thinking? Budapest is such a glorious city in so many ways, brimming with an architectural heritage that, given the right light and mood, can actually reduce us to tears. But, we can also be driven almost to despair by the graffiti which abounds and disfigures so many public buildings, commercial outlets and private property. It is all so sad.

    So, we are delighted that you have championed the cause for these fine canines. And, three cheers too that there are bodies such as English Heritage in the UK to be their guardian angels.

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  8. Congratulation - I love examples of efforts that turn out well in the end - (almost) never give up is a good maxime. The only thing that astonishes me: why "little me"? - have you shrunk in the time I wasn't in blogland (hindered by work).?

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    1. Hahaha - suddenly I think of Werner Herzogs film "Even dwarfs started small".

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  9. You are pretty damn good at championing causes and digging your feet in until you get results. Brilliant. (although glad I am not married to you ((the feeling is most likely reciprocal!))

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    1. I couldn't keep up if I was married to you, Weave.

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