It's amazing what a few letters can do - back in 2003 a single letter to local MP Anne Macintosh caused questions to be raised in Parliament regarding Thornborough, as a result a government statement saying that they and English Heritage were opposed to any further quarrying in the area was produced.

Another letter to a London Based Archaeology Society caused them to formally object to the Ladybridge planning application as a society - a significant and authoritative voice.

There are two threads to our campaign to bring Thornborough to the nation - lobbying people in power and raising the awareness of the general public. This page shows how you can help show the people in power what you care about - if enough of us say we care about Thornborough, politicians will feel extremely uneasy about allowing the site to be further damaged.

Of course, it is not just politicians who are powerful.

Lobbying your MP

The easiest way to do this is to use FaxYourMP.com, which will allow you to find out who your MP is and send a free fax. Postal addresses and other information regarding MP's and Peers can be found at the House of Parliament website.

Here is an example introductory text:

Dear My MP,

The Thornborough Henges in North Yorkshire are one of Britain's most important ancient sites, they are on a par with Stonehenge and as such are nationally important.

This ancient complex is being quarried for gravel, an activity that is destroying nationally important archaeology and ruining the setting of the henges themselves.

I urge you to take an active role in lobbying within government to ensure that these monuments, and their "ritual landscape" is protected from further destruction.

If you look at the online petition:

http://www.petitiononline.com/Pet10001/petition.html

You will see that a great many of your constituents are concerned about this, and that there is international interest in the future of this national treasure.

Please do all you can to protect the Thornborough Henges and the archaeology that surrounds them.

Lobbying Government

Whilst all MP's should be concerned about our national heritage, few will ever be asked to make a decision regarding Thornborough.

The Secretary of State however is in a position to "pull in" the planning application and to reject it is there is sufficient grounds for concern. So far this has not happened and this is a concern given the importance of the site and the UK Governments clear opposition to further quarrying in the area.

Write to the following to raise your concerns:

Prime Minister
First Lord of the Treasury and Minister for the Civil Service
the Rt Hon Tony Blair MP,
10 Downing Street,
London,
SW1A 2AA.

Deputy Prime Minister and First Secretary of State
The Rt Hon John Prescott MP,
26 Whitehall,
London
SW1A 2WH.

Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport
the Rt Hon Tessa Jowell MP,
2-4 Cockspur Street,
London,
SW1Y 5DH.

Lobbying North Yorkshire County Council

Those who live in North Yorkshire must understand that it is vital to lobby your local County Councillor in support of Thornborough. Whilst a letter of objection will help sway the planning committee, it is the role of Councillors to ensure that the county is run in a democratic manner - this development affects all people living in North Yorkshire and will ultimately display to the nation the value we place on our heritage.

It is clear that North Yorkshire County Council has to show an attitude that reflects the values of the people living in the county and in our assessment, for the majority of people the gain in gravel is far less important than the heritage value that will be lost.

Please write to you local Councillor urging an approach that treats our ancient sites, Thornborough in particular, with the care and protection they deserve - including the surrounding ritual landscape.

Lobbying APPAG

The All-Party Parliamentary Archaeology Group is a government committee that has a responsibility for the ancient sites in Britain. As such they form a very influential lobby. Many of its members have yet to hear about Thornborough or understand what the issues are (although we hace sent them all a briefing). As a concerned member of the public, raising your concerns regarding Thornborough will help push this up their agenda and may be of significant benefit.

In the first instance, write to the chairman of APPAG, Lord Renfrew of Kaimsthorn, Andrew Colin,House of Lords, LONDON, SW1A 0PW expressing your concern regarding Thornborough. You may also like to check the list of members of APPAG to see if there are any members you feel you would like to lobby directly.