Graffiti experts help restore iconic Bronze Age stone landmark

A South Wales social enterprise has provided the specialist, state-of-the-art technology needed to restore an iconic Bronze Age stone landmark in the Brecon Beacons National Park.
Maen Llia is a popular destination for tourists, but the protected Ancient Monument was defaced with graffiti earlier this year.
The moss-covered 3.7 metre tall standing stone has now been restored to its former glory by a team from n-ergy works, who are specialists in graffiti and chewing gum removal.
“It was a very delicate job, requiring a great deal of thought and expertise,” said Steve Hicks, operations director at n-ergy works.
“Maen Llia is a heritage sight and there was a huge degree of sensitivity applied to the operation as we wanted to maintain the integrity of such a valued and well-loved ancient monument.”
Natalie Ward, Heritage Officer (Archaeology) with the Brecon Beacons National Park Authority, said: “The heritage of the National Park is the legacy left to us by our ancestors and it contains a wealth of information about past peoples and their lives. The person who did this (the damage) may well think it was harmless fun, but archaeological sites like Maen Llia are fragile and causing damage to a Scheduled Ancient Monument is a criminal offence.
“Criminal acts like this can cause irreversible damage. Heritage sites and monuments don’t belong to a single person, landowner or public body – they belong to all of us. We inherited them from our ancestors and it’s important that we take care of these sites to pass on to future generations to enjoy.”
She added: “Heritage sites are fragile and the graffiti on Maen Llia needed to be sensitively removed by professionals to avoid damage. The team from n-ergy works contacted the Brecon Beacons National Park Authority following the vandalism at Maen Llia and offered to remove the graffiti from the standing stone.
“The firm had previously worked with Cadw on graffiti removal and uses appropriate methods of removal suitable for use on heritage sites. Both the landowner and the Brecon Beacons National Park Authority were pleased to be able to accept the n-ergy works offer. The Brecon Beacons National Park Authority is delighted with the service received and the end results.
“Maen Llia is an iconic site that has been delicately restored to its former condition and beauty.”
The Maen Llia standing stone is situated between Heol Senni and Ystradfellte.
It is likely that the stone was erected in the late Neolithic or early Bronze Age between 2500 and 1800 BC.
It is a large diamond-shaped slab of stone, 3.7m (12ft) high and 2.8m (9ft) wide and only 0.6m (2ft) thick. It is likely that a quarter to a third of the stone is below ground.

About n-ergy works:
A social enterprise providing professional and affordable services throughout the UK, n-ergy works specialises in the delivery of chewing and graffiti removal services. The enterprise works with local authorities, public and private sector clients. The operation’s main HQ is in Charnwood, Bridgend.
The n-ergy works team uses state-of-the art machinery and the latest technology in highly advanced products which are environmentally friendly, non-hazardous and 100 per cent effective. Chewing gum and graffiti can be removed from virtually any surface. The team offers a free, no obligation, demonstration of its services.
Other services also include cleaning and grounds maintenance and garden/landscape improvements.
You can contact n-ergy works on 0845 652 5201 or E-mail:info@n-ergyworks.com

About Maen Llia:
Nearest village: Ystradfellte. Map reference: SN 924192
Maen Llia stands on the moorland in a magnificent and isolated spot in the Brecon Beacon National Park. It lies at the junction of two valleys and its visibility from some distance suggests that it could possibly be a territorial marker or it could mark an ancient trackway, guiding travellers across the watershed, in a way similar to the stone north of Maen Mawr circle. In the 1940s, some faint Latin and Ogam inscriptions were still visible on the stone’s surface. A legend says that whenever a cock crows, the stone moves off to drink in the River Nedd. According to another story, the stone visits the River Mellte on Midsummer morning.

Photos
Stone1: The defaced Maen Llia ancient monument.
Stone2: Members of the n-ergy works team start the clean-up at Maen Llia.
Stone3: Restored to glory: The Maen Llia ancient monument.

Weblinks –

http://www.breconbeacons.org/
http://www.beacons-npa.gov.uk/
www.n-ergyworks.com and linked websites www.n-ergygroup.com and www.nergysource.com
Twitter @nergyworks, @nergygoup, @nergysource.