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The Ancient Ram Inn, Wotton-Under-Edge restoration

The Ancient Ram Inn, Wotton-Under-Edge restoration

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This petition has been created by Tracy M. and may not represent the views of the Avaaz community.
Tracy M.
started this petition to
Simon Thurley, English Heritage
Built in around 1145 over a 5000 year old pagan burial ground, The Ancient Ram Inn is the oldest building in Wotton-Under-Edge, Gloucestershire. From 1145 it was a Church House for an unknown period. It also housed Masons for constructing the near-by St. Mary's Church and possibly housed Slaves and/or children for the same purpose.

In 1350 the building was bought by Maurice De Bathe who leased it to tenants. Peter Le Couk and his wife Margaret resided there for an unknown period and the property stayed in the name of Maurice De Bathe for 171 years. The Ram changed hands frequently from here right up to 1968 where the current owner John Humphries now resides along side many spiritual guests. Most of which seem to be previous owners or visitors.

From 1350 to 1820 it was known mostly as "Tan House" or "The Tan House" but records show the name "The Old Sun" crop up a few times but details of when it may have been known as this so far remains unknown. From 1820 onwards the Ram was Brewery Property with various Brewers and Landlords.

Whether people believe or don't, this is still part of the amazing history of the building. Long before the building’s construction, its story begins in the low-lying wetlands near Potter’s Pond. This land sits on the intersection of 2 Ley Lines, areas that certain people believe contain significantly high spiritual energy. Using a map, these lines can be traced directly to England’s most famous sacred site, Stonehenge. Legend has it that the energy from Stonehenge travels the Ley Lines to feed the property’s paranormal power. Additionally, the site is home to a 5,000-year-old Pagan burial ground.

John Humphries is now in his 80s and is the only living occupant of the Ancient Ram Inn. He has dedicated the later years of his life to preserving this old building that he bought to stop it from being demolished to widen the road, and it’s cost him nearly everything. His wife and 3 daughters left this haunted old building and the man hell bent on safeguarding it. Inside his home, Humphries has found evidence of ritual sacrifice and Devil worship. Even more disturbing, he discovered the skeletal remains of children under the staircase. Within the skeletons were found broken daggers, which he believes were used in a deadly ritual and then broken, so that they could never be used again.

This building is a historical masterpiece, built in the traditional stone and wattle and daub construction, this is where the wattle is made by weaving thin branches (either whole, or more usually split) or slats between upright stakes. The wattle may be made as loose panels, slotted between timber framing to make infill panels, or it may be made in place to form the whole of a wall. Daub is usually created from a mixture of certain ingredients from three categories: binders, aggregates and reinforcement. Binders hold the mix together and can include clay, lime, chalk dust and limestone dust. Aggregates give the mix its bulk and dimensional stability through materials such as earth, sand, crushed chalk and crushed stone. Reinforcement is provided by straw, hair, hay or other fibrous materials, and helps to hold the mix together as well as to control shrinkage and provide flexibility. The daub may be mixed by hand, or by treading – either by humans or livestock. It is then applied to the wattle and allowed to dry, and often then whitewashed to increase its resistance to rain.

This building is in a desperate need of renovation. John Humphries gets only a pension to live on and any money that is made from people visiting goes directly into a fund for renovating the place which is slow. The building already has a Grade 2 listing so it's historical significance has been recognised but English Heritage should step up and save this wonderful building for future visitors

Posted (Updated )