Void former assembly for casting facing elements (1) for reinforced earth. Anchoring recesses (2) are cast into its rear face (5) so that earth- reinforcing strips can be looped through. The anchoring recesses (2) are each formed as a loop channel (10) having a convex inner surface and a concave outer surface, at least one of which has a radius of curvature which increases from the deepest part of the recess (2) towards the rear face (5). A removable void former assembly and method for casting such facing elements (1) are also described. Because of the varying radius of curvature of the surfaces of the channel, and the rotational and translational withdrawal path of the void formers, the channel (10) can be cast deeper, and with openings (3, 4) which are closer together, than has hitherto been possible using removable void formers.