Pewsey White Horse

[3] Barry Leighton of the Swindon Advertiser describes the horse as standing in a "care-free trotting stance.

[6] It was cut by, or on the instructions of, Robert Pile of Manor Farm, Alton Barnes.

The nearby Alton Barnes White Horse was cut 27 years later by a Robert Pile of the same address, but it is unknown if this is the same man.

Nonetheless, the outline of the head and body could still vaguely be seen, both as raised contours revealed by both the light of the rising sun and as a discolouration of the grass.

In 1937, George Marples, an authority on hill figures, was in the area researching the horse, which at this time was barely visible, when he was approached by a committee that had just been formed to find a suitable way of commemorating the coronation of George VI.

[citation needed] In April 1937 it was cut by volunteers from Pewsey Fire Brigade.

[2][7] The year '1937' was cut above the horse, although it appears this part was never later scoured and thus is no longer visible.

The horse was floodlit in coronation week and the effect was described as "very good" except for thick fog on two nights.

It is the second and so far final piece of public art in the village, following the King Alfred Monument (1913), which was erected in the centre of the village to commemorate the coronation of George VI's predecessor, George V.[11] The horse has gradually become slightly larger over time.

[5] The group firstly cleaned the surface off, then removed weeds and moss with sharp hoes and finally placed fresh chalk on the horse which was partially consolidated with hand-held rammers, leaving rainfall to complete the job.

[3] The flag was designed by Eleanor Taylor, with the flag's dark green hills representing Pewsey's rural farming landscape upon which is charged the White Horse, whilst above the horse is the crown to represent King Alfred, who has a statue in the village centre, and who once held land in Pewsey.