Young vandals have destroyed a North Yorkshire landmark from the last Ice Age in what has been called an act of mindless destruction. The large stacked sandstone formations known as Brimham Rocks, which are up to 30ft high, attract thousands of visitors every year. However, one of the stones has been toppled from its perch.
Five youths were seen pushing a rock off the crag at the spot, which is owned by the National Trust, at Summerbridge in the Nidderdale area of outstanding natural beauty, which borders the Yorkshire Dales National Park. It hit another rock on its way down. The police have appealed for information to catch the culprits.
The rocks have been moulded into distinctive shapes after being eroded by water, glaciation and. Many of the formations have even been named thanks to their odd shapes, with titles including the Camel, the Turtle and the Dancing Bear.
The site now attracts thousands of tourists every year, with many even able to crawl through some of the more tube-like formations. The treatment of the landmark site has sparked outrage online, with one writing: "There really are no words to describe these mindless idiots.
Another added: "I truly hope these mindless idiots are found and held accountable for this. A North Yorkshire Police statement said they had received reports that five young people were seen pushing a rock from its perch about 8. They said: "This resulted in the rock falling from the crag causing damage to the crag face. They appealed for anyone with information to come forward and to contact them on and quoting reference The landmark, which was previously named as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, often attracts geologists, naturalists, climbers and walkers.
During the ice age when a passing glacier created Nidderdale valley, the hard compressed millstone grit resisted this weathering and was left exposed as the soft rocks were cut away by the ice.
The soft rock and shale was further affected by sand blasting and weather to leave the famous stacks of millstone grit. Wind, rain, and frost still attack the weaknesses in the rock. Some parts of the rock are quite soft and can be worn away by climbers. Brimham is a site of special scientific interest SSSI. In the summer the ground cover is awash with colour from the common heather and bell heather as well as the frutiting bilberry bushes, and cowberries.
The area is home to a variety of wildlife such as solitary mining bees and green tiger beetle as well as various bird species such as the meadow pipits, red grouse and finches. Brimham as a landscape is among the rarest in the world which makes it a very special place to enjoy the varied and abundant wildlife in the area. Following the dissolution of the monasteries in the land passed into private hands and gained mass appeal in when Major Hayman Rooke visited the rocks and declared that they were carved by druids.
The site has since been open for people to wander and enjoy the views as well as experiencing the fascinating wildlife on offer. Join a worldwide treasure hunt with geocaching at Brimham Rocks or have a go at the orienteering course to explore the site in a different way.
Striking, surprising, entertaining and unusual
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