By Beth Manning. Eastern Daily Press, Norwich. Thursday June 18 1999
The project to dig up Norfolk's ancient oak circle dubbed "Seahenge" was put on hold yesterday while project leaders reconsidered security at the site.
An expected re-run of Tuesday's siege of the 4000-year-old structure by spiritualist protesters failed to materialise, with only two protesters making an appearance at the site on Holme beach.
But joint organisers of the dig, Norfolk Archaeological Unit and English Heritage, decided to abandon removal of the circle's centre stump - at least for the next few days.
John Birchall. spokesman for Norfolk Archaeological Unit, said the demonstration had prompted a reappraisal "But we still have the basic problem that if the timbers are not removed they will deteriorate and this should not be a matter where there's confrontation," he said. Climate and tides this week had made conditions perfect for removal of the central, upturned tree-stump, he said, but the dig would be postponed until an overall plan had been formulated.
"It is frustrating and there is a certain amount of cost involved but we want to move forward with general acceptance, if not total acceptance, that this is the right thing to do."
A cordon around the circle has been extended to prevent visitors from getting to near and damaging surrounding peat beds - classed as environmentally sensitive. A secure storage place has been found for project machinery for fear it could be tampered with or damaged.
Protester John "Mad Max" Feary, 37, travelled from Wisbech to Holme early this morning with the intention of chaining himself to the tree stump but changed his mind when the circle was uncovered. "It's just too peaceful here, and there's enough fighting in the world already," said John, a Buddhist and spiritualist. "I came here and felt the magical energy and it made me change my mind." The participants of Tuesday's siege were unable to travel to the site for a second confrontation yesterday said protester and Norfolk businessman Mervyn Lambert "They had to travel from Essex, which is three hours away, and the people of Norfolk should not have to rely on people from Essex to save their heritage," he said.
There were no plans for another Seahenge sit-in.