Gee Gee - the Alton Barnes White Horse

If you think this is a bit of a cheat for my G then look at this Gaggle of Geese that were in the road just before we sighted the white horse.

There are several horses in the vale of Pewsey but this is the highest and is based on the earlier Cherhill horse. It was constructed in 1812 by John Thorne who was paid £20 by Robert Pile, he then commissioned John Harvey to do the work and absconded with the money and the horse was later finished at further expense to Robert Pile. Thorpe was later hanged, but it was his design and position that was used for the horse. The horse has changed considerably over the years, the neck becoming thinner, the eye becoming enlargened and the addition of ears and lips and the improvement of the shape of the legs have all been carried out. The horse is disproportionately tall to prevent foreshortening. The upkeep is uncertain although subscription paid for some scourings in the middle of the 19th century and Scouts and Guides scoured the horse in the early part of this century. In 2010 150 tons of fresh chalk were delivered by helicopter which volunteers used to replenish the surface of the figure.



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