We hear you intend to DEFACE the Stones on Ilkley Moor which we don't think is a good idea. Who gave you permission to do that? Don't you think that it will be a real mess as you've invited everyone and anyone to join in with your defacement 'project'? Graffiti will be in abundance. I find it difficult to believe that the local Council are allowing you to do that! I am really not surprised that the Moor is fighting back!

To deface any part of a sacred site is complete vandalism,I enclose the history of this site for your consideration.
If you want people to see your wonderful works why not carve it out on the pavements by bus stops.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ilkley_Moor#History_and_information

Is there anywhere left I can go that hasn't been scrawled all over?
I love words, but surely I should be able to choose when I want to read them?
I am reminded of a trashy film where someone uses the surface of the moon as an advertising opportunity.

The very idea of this project is an outrage to decency, and wholly irresponsible. What abominations of our few remaining ancient sites will be dreamed up next in the name of ‘art’? Perhaps encouraging ‘young people’ to carve Arctic Monkey’s lyrics on the lintels of Stonehenge? Frankly there is enough graffiti on the moor at the Cow and Calf end, to keep anyone in reading matter for a month. The fact that Armitage, as a Yorkshireman, has even considered this venture is mind boggling. My greatest fear is that those ‘encouraged’ may take it on themselves to embellish the Neolithic artwork on the moor nearby. An ancient site on Anglezarke moor, has already received an additional whirl, by some vandal, and further encouragement towards any such possibility is definitely not required. Whilst nothing may be sacred to greed driven grant grabbers, it remains the case that our ancient monuments and shrinking landscape beauty, is sacrosanct to some of us. This proposal will be vigorously opposed, and if goes ahead, those involved should never be allowed to forget their part in the defilement.

You want to carve one of your poems into a moor? Really, are you that good a Poet, or does your ego overshadow your talent?

To even consider carving into a beautiful, wild, empty place as Ilkley Moor clearly marks you as NOT being of the land you seek to desecrate.

I will do my damnedest to prevent this.

An open letter to Simon Armitage.

Hello Mr Armitage
You may not be aware, but a sense of outrage is billowing over the proposed project, to carve a poem of yours into the rocks of Ilkley moor. Archaeology groups, along with hill walking groups and a variety of faith motivated conservationists; including I am pleased to say, people of faiths relatively new to these islands, are amazed at the very idea. Appalled would be a better choice of word, in fact. A great many people who are environmentally conscious, for both ecological and preservation reasons; who are often already engaged in campaigns for the protection of our moorlands, genuinely find this whole idea distressing.
As you will know, the Cow and Calf rocks have suffered a great deal of damage from vandals over a long period, but that does not mean that further despoilment cannot do significant damage. A wealth of stone and bronze age, cup and ring markings are to be found clustered around the Cow and Calf; all of which are the subject of ongoing investigation. The geological aspects of the Cow and Calf themselves, provide insightful data to those who study in that field.
Once these ancient works are gone they are gone forever. Lost to future generations, and with them many clues and insights into the common global history, of mankind and his home. Unfortunately they cannot be protected at all times from random mindless vandals, although some effort is made to this end. A project that encourages youngsters to take chisels to stone in moorland areas, is frankly, a very bad idea indeed.
I think we have to recognise that in the flurry and business of modern life, we can’t expect everyone to be aware of the value that the moorlands hold. We are all bound in the tasks of making a living and doing our thing, amidst the whirl of information overload, that these days encumbers society. For many, who have had neither the time or opportunity to give study; it is easy to simply regard the heights as lumps of barren earth, that may be pleasant to have an occasional stroll over when the heather is in bloom. This being the case, I believe we must step back, and be slow, to roundly condemn inadvertent offence. Few of us have made career decisions that we would not reverse, had we had more time for reflection on what we are about. So it is understandable that in your enthusiasm to promote art and poetry, you and others have ‘nodded through’ a proposal that at face value looks quite exciting. But here at least, is an opportunity to avoid an error that could exponentially expand into something truly awful.
As a poetry lover, who makes the odd effort at penmanship myself, I am well aware of your work, which will always merit my admiration, whichever way the cat jumps on this one. I have just watched some of your readings on youtube, and it is very obvious that you are a deep thinking man, with the capacity for vibrant insight into many aspects of life. Yet I cannot help but think that should this project proceed, it would have the likes of landscape loving bards, like Wordsworth, and Yeats, spinning in their graves. I therefore appeal to you to reconsider your involvement in the project carefully, and to assess it’s actual value and consequences. Heaven forbid that history condemns you as a vandal, as I am certain that you mean no ill intent or offence.

Just to reassure everyone, there is no intention at all to deface any stones on the moor. (We wouldn't want to and of course planning wouldn't allow it anyway). And we won't be chiselling in to them! (Although some of the nineteenth century carving up there is beautifully done and very moving). It's great to see that so many people feel strongly about the rich landscape of the Moor and many of them have been working with us and contributing their ideas. Which is what we want. As with all arts projects things change, ideas are shaped and move forward and the project has moved a long way from our first germ of an idea which is what this scheme is all about.

As someone suggested we hope there will be poems on paving stones in the large cities, but as regards the Moor we're working closely with all the relevant agencies, Bradford Met Council and their experts to find a place for one verse of the poem, probably somewhere in the man made parts of the car park area. Seven other verses will be sited elsewhere in across Yorkshire in areas which already host poetry in public places.

One of the main aims of our project is to encourage anyone and everyone to write their own poem or poems about the Moor, there is much passionate language here, perhaps it could become poetry?

TO ALL CONCERNED FOR THE MOOR.
I have recieved a communication from Simon Armitage, which reads... "Just to assure you that there is no plan to carve poetry onto the rocks on Ilkley Moor. The project has changed direction since those first notions, "...
I, like many posters above I'm sure, am very relieved at this news. I walked over by the Doubler Stones, and then on the Millenium way to White Wells yesterday.
Occasionally pausing to shake my head in wonder that such magnificence could be embellished or maligned. I am delighted that the early notions are abandoned, and happy to applaud all efforts that respectfully and properly, promote and celebrate Ilkley moor. It would be espescially wonderful, if the project serves to emphasise the need for the protection and preservation of what is there, and could never be replaced.

Hi there -
Just found this blog bit on the retracted ideas of etching poetry on some parts of Ilkley Moor. I'm glad there are people who felt as I did about this. It wouldn't happen - simple as. And glad to know there's been a retraction. The excellent thing here is how heathens, christians, buddhists and others have eached called in agreement about the spiritual essence of Nature here. It's something that should be nurtured between us and built upon. Ilkley Moor has been but a small focus for this, but it is something good. Let it happen in other arenas and nourish such candid feelings. However we might wanna put it: the spirit of the moors has brought us together in a very simple way. Tis good!
Best wishes - Paul

I too am glad to know that a place of beauty, ancient life and faith, and memory will not be further defaced. i too am an artist and writer and understand the desire to connect in some small way with the hand of the Creator. I walked these moors with my great grandfather, with my grandparents, with my mother, husband and finally with my children. no matter where I go in the world, Ilkley Moor calls me home.

Tall the cliffs of stone
That mark the entry to my heart’s domain,
Wild and empty in its vastness
The solitude of living earth.
The wind lifts the heart
And bears it through the storm
To where the lichen crusted rocks
Cling to the clouds.
Part of my heart remains there
Scattered with the ashes of a lost love
Mingled with the joy and pain of memory,
Of childhood wonder and a lover’s kiss.
Deep the roots which bind me to that land,
Like the weathered pines that cling for life
To the purple hillside…
Genuflecting, but standing, still,
Naked in the mist.
Or the great stones,
Ice carved in aeons past
Into a landscape of dreams,
Marked by ancient hands
With figures of Light,
That I may stand beside them,
Millennia apart,
And recognise my kin.