ウェストウッドヘイのおすすめMTBライド

「暗い歴史と美しい景色が交わる場所」をお探しなら、コーム・ギベットがまさにそれです。バークシャーとハンプシャーの境界にあるギャロウズ・ダウン（名前が物語っていますよね？）の高い場所に位置し、ノース・ウェセックス・ダウンズで最も雰囲気のある場所の1つです。 この孤独なランドマークの背後にある物語をご紹介します。 「ダブル・トラブル」の起源 ギベットは単なるランダムな装飾ではありません。1676年に非常に具体的で陰惨な理由で建てられました。 地元のジョージ・ブルームハムという男性と彼の愛人であるドロシー・ニューマンは、ジョージの妻と息子を殺害した罪で有罪判決を受けました。 他の人への警告として、当局は教区の境界線上に鎖で吊るすために、巨大な二重腕のギベットを建設しました。 今日見られるものはレプリカ（7番目か8番目のバージョン！）ですが、まったく同じ場所に立っており、地平線に対して非常に不気味に見えます。 実際には素敵な訪問になる理由 不気味な歴史にもかかわらず、人々は17世紀の犯罪とは何の関係もない理由でここに集まります。 景色：尾根の頂上（イングランド南東部で最も高い場所であるウォルベリー・ヒルの近く）にあるため、何マイルも見渡せます。晴れた日には、ケネット・バレーを越えてコッツウォルズまで見ることができます。 パラグライダー：ここはパラグライダーやハンググライダーの伝説的な場所です。草の上に座って、彼らが急な崖から飛び立ち、巨大な鳥のように谷の上を旋回するのを見るのは、信じられないほどリラックスできます。 古代史：ギベットは実際には新石器時代のロング・バロー（5000年前の墳丘墓）の上に建てられています。そのため、非常に長い間、人間にとって重要な「高地」でした。

All Saints Church is a Grade I listed building located in the historic hamlet of Old Burghclere, Hampshire. Its origins date back to circa 1100, making it the original parish church. The architecture is a rich blend of styles, featuring an aisleless Norman nave and an Early English chancel. Notable features include blocked Norman doorways, a 17th-century bell turret, and two extremely plain external mausolea. The church fell into disuse in the 19th century as the population shifted, but was restored by the Carnarvon family (of nearby Highclere Castle) in 1861. It remains a historic gem adjacent to Burghclere Manor. It is only used on Christmas Day.

Replacements and Legacy: The original gibbet from 1676 eventually deteriorated. The current gibbet is actually the seventh to stand on the site. Previous versions were replaced due to rotting, being struck by lightning, vandalism, or being blown down by strong winds. The current replica was erected in 1992. While the gibbet was only ever used for the display of George Bromham and Dorothy Newman, its grim history has made it a local landmark and a popular spot for walkers, hang-gliders, and paragliders, offering expansive views across Berkshire, Hampshire, and Wiltshire. The story of the murders even inspired a 1948 silent film called "The Black Legend," made by a young John Schlesinger.

The Gibbet's Purpose: After their execution, their bodies were brought back to Inkpen and prepared for public display. A large, double gibbet was hastily erected on the long barrow. The bodies of George and Dorothy, bound in chains, were then displayed on either side of the gibbet on March 6, 1676, as a stark and gruesome warning to the local community to deter similar crimes. The location was chosen due to its prominence and being on the border of the two parishes, as there was a dispute over which parish should bear the cost of the gibbet.

The Murders and Gibbeting: The Crime: George Bromham, a married farm labourer from Combe, and Dorothy Newman, a widow from Inkpen, were having an illicit affair. To be together, they murdered George's wife, Martha Bromham, and their son, Robert. Accounts vary, but it's believed they waylaid Martha and Robert and beat them to death with staves near where the gibbet now stands. One dramatic, though likely far-fetched, version suggests George killed his wife by thrusting her head into a hornet's nest. The Witness: The crime was reportedly witnessed by a villager known as "Mad Thomas," who alerted the authorities. Trial and Execution: George Bromham and Dorothy Newman were tried at Winchester Assizes. They were found guilty and hanged in Winchester on March 3, 1676.

Any climb is generally worth it for the views at the top, this is in the top few for a far reaching vista.

From 1160 until 1838 the principal church in the parish was All Saints at Old Burghclere with the Rectory [now Burghclere Manor] adjoining it. From 1216 Newtown had its own church with the Rectory being shared, so that the northern end of Burghclere was partly served by the church at Newtown. After the centre of the population shifted north a chapel-of-ease, built in Harts Lane, was consecrated in 1838. Soon afterwards All Saints, owing to its dilapidated state, fell into disuse and so remained until the Carnarvon family had it repaired. It was reopened in 1861. The Church is only used by the Carnarvon family on Christmas Day.

This track is running amazingly at present (September 2024). Nice hard packed surface and some kind people have laid a chalk path at the bottom where it used to get boggy.