Concern has been expressed that some person or persons unknown has been painting cup and ring stones recently. The first time we became aware of this was when, some years ago, the cup and ring stone in the wood above Willy Hall’s Spout was painted with red paint. Recently the same has been done to the Badger Stone, in black paint, and there is a report that another stone has been painted. In each case the intention seems to have been to accentuate the carvings.
Now it is quite probable that when the stones were originally carved, that they were coloured. But those colours will have been simple vegetable pigments. Modern paints contain all sorts of other substances and it is possible that some of these may damage the surface of the stones.
The carved stones on Ilkley Moor are gradually weathering away, and nothing can be done about that, but if we want them to continue to exist, to fascinate future generations, it is important that nothing is done that might increase the rate at which they are weathering. They are all scheduled ancient monuments and just as it would be inexcusable to paint (with modern paints) Nelson’s column or the stones at Stonehenge, so too it is inexcusable to paint the cup and ring stones on Ilkley Moor.
We urge all our members that if they know who has been painting the stones they must tell them to stop immediately. If they see anyone painting stones they should report the matter immediately to the Richard Perham of the Countryside Service, to Gavin Edwards at the Manor House Museum and, if necessary to the police.