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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Sheep shortage hits Giant's look | Sheep shortage hits Giant's look |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A shortage of sheep has led to a famous landmark in Dorset disappearing under vegetation and moss. | A shortage of sheep has led to a famous landmark in Dorset disappearing under vegetation and moss. |
| The 180ft (54.8m) famous fertility symbol Cerne Abbas Giant was also left struggling under plant life encouraged by a wet start to the summer. | The 180ft (54.8m) famous fertility symbol Cerne Abbas Giant was also left struggling under plant life encouraged by a wet start to the summer. |
| A flock of 100 sheep is usually lent to the National Trust for a few weeks in May to graze on the land. | A flock of 100 sheep is usually lent to the National Trust for a few weeks in May to graze on the land. |
| But a shortage has forced the trust to re-chalk the etching. It is hoped a flock will be on the hillside soon. | But a shortage has forced the trust to re-chalk the etching. It is hoped a flock will be on the hillside soon. |
| Rob Rhodes, National Trust head warden for west Dorset, said: "Every year we have sheep on the hillside eating the grass to keep the giant visible. | Rob Rhodes, National Trust head warden for west Dorset, said: "Every year we have sheep on the hillside eating the grass to keep the giant visible. |
| Ancient spirituality' | Ancient spirituality' |
| "We rely on local farmers and the way agriculture is going at the moment, there's hardly any sheep left in that part of Dorset." | "We rely on local farmers and the way agriculture is going at the moment, there's hardly any sheep left in that part of Dorset." |
| He added that the wet weather had caused a lot of moss and lichen to grow on the giant making the white chalk a greeny colour. | He added that the wet weather had caused a lot of moss and lichen to grow on the giant making the white chalk a greeny colour. |
| "He is not completely invisible but he is quite overgrown," Mr Rhodes said. | |
| The first record of the giant, also referred to as the Rude Man, dates back to 1694 and he is now a Scheduled Ancient Monument. | The first record of the giant, also referred to as the Rude Man, dates back to 1694 and he is now a Scheduled Ancient Monument. |
| Many believe the figure is a symbol of ancient spirituality and fertility and he has been used to advertise products as diverse as condoms, jeans and bicycles. | Many believe the figure is a symbol of ancient spirituality and fertility and he has been used to advertise products as diverse as condoms, jeans and bicycles. |
| During WWII, the giant was disguised to prevent the Germans using him as an aerial landmark. | During WWII, the giant was disguised to prevent the Germans using him as an aerial landmark. |