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<< Events >> Stonehenge Summer Solstice 2010

Submitted by Andy B on Monday, 21 June 2010  Page Views: 15737

StonehengeCountry: England County: Wiltshire Type: Henge

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Stonehenge. submitted by davidmorgan : 2010 Summer Solstice - Just after dawn the sun broke through. (Vote or comment on this photo)
English Heritage provided Managed Open Access to Stonehenge for the summer solstice again this year. There was entertainment from drummers, samba bands and the like. When you visit Stonehenge for the solstice, please remember it is a sacred place to many and should be respected.

Full announcement was as follows: Toilets and drinking water are available. There are normally one or two food and drink vans but these can have huge queues and are well away from the stones themselves.

Sunrise is at around 4:45am.

Rules include no camping, no dogs, no fires or fireworks, no glass bottles, no large bags or rucksacks, and no climbing on the stones. Please use the bags given free on arrival and take them out, filled with your litter, to the skips provided. Please respect the rules so that we're all able to enjoy the solstice morning at Stonehenge for years to come.

Please read the full Conditions of Entry (PDF document)

Map for the event (PDF document)

A high volume of traffic is anticipated in the Stonehenge area on the evening of Sunday 20th June.

Where possible, please travel to Stonehenge using public transport. The local bus company, Wilts & Dorset, will be running a service from Salisbury railway and bus stations to Stonehenge over the Solstice period. This bus service will commence at 1830 hours (6.30pm) on Sunday 20th June and run regularly until 0115 hours (1.15am) on Monday 21st June. A service taking people back to Salisbury will start again at 0400 hours (4am) and run frequently until 0945 hours (9.45am). Access to Stonehenge from the bus drop off point is through the National Trust farmland.

Further details at English Heritage

You can also view our many galleries of past solstices and please send us some photos or links to video if you go this year.

There will also be informal solstice gatherings at other ancient sites, our Forum is a good place start.

To find an ancient site near you, put your post code or Zip code (UK, USA and Germany) into the search box at the top of the page and press Enter. Please follow our Charter when visiting sites.

Note: Our first Summer Solstice 2010 photos are in. This is the tenth year we have run our summer solstice gallery, please send us your photos, not just from Stonehenge but any ancient site you visit.

Stonehenge Summer Solstice 2010
Stonehenge Summer Solstice 2010 submitted by AngieLake : Here's David Morgan filming the You Tube video that he just advertised as having me in it [or the top of my head.] Gotcha back! (4 comments - Vote or comment on this photo)

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"Stonehenge Summer Solstice 2010" | Login/Create an Account | 14 News and Comments
  
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Re: Stonehenge Summer Solstice 2010 by Anonymous on Friday, 18 February 2011
Hello!

I was just wondering if anyone would like to take part in my survey. It takes under a minute to complete and it's regarding my disseration in which I study Event Management at University. The subject is a case study of the Stonehenge Summer Solstice and whether it is increasing in capacity due to it being marketed as a free event. It is also a study on sites of resistance- so focusing on the element of particpating authorities and case studies such as The Beanfield incident in the mid 80's.

If anyone would like to help and has any relevant feedback to help me, this would be much appreciated.

Here is the link to the survey:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/NXGP9CN

Thank you for your time. x
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Re: Stonehenge Summer Solstice 2010 by davidmorgan on Tuesday, 16 November 2010
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Angie Lake spotted in my Stonehenge Summer Solstice video on YouTube at 2:35.

You appear to be taking a photo of me, Angie. I'm the guy in the red jacket with the camcorder!
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    Re: Stonehenge Summer Solstice 2010/davidmorgan's video by AngieLake on Wednesday, 17 November 2010
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    But it was only my head. Have posted up that photo, so everyone can see YOU now!
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The longest day: 20,000 flock to Stonehenge for an all-night party to mark summer sol by coldrum on Tuesday, 22 June 2010
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The longest day: 20,000 flock to Stonehenge for an all-night party to mark summer solstice


Twenty thousand hippies, druids, pagans and sunworshippers descended on Stonehenge for an all-night summer solstice party that culminated with the break of dawn.

At 4.52am this morning, on the longest day of the year, the sun rose to cheers from the tens of thousands who assemble each year at the prehistoric monument on Salisbury Plain.

The annual event at Stonehenge, near Salibsury, Wiltshire, is a modern twist on solstice celebrations which were once a highlight of the pre-Christian calendar.



Where previous years have seen the dawn obscured by mist and cloud this year's event took place under clear skies.

The ancient festival concentrates on the the Heel Stone, a pock-marked pillar just outside the famous circle, which aligns with the rising sun.

The celebrations conssist largely of bonfires, maypole dances and courtship rituals

'It means a lot to us ... being British and following our pagan roots,' said reveller Victoria Campbell, who sported a pair of white angel's wings and had a mass of multicolored flowers in her hair.

The 29-year-old Londoner, who works in the finance industry, also said that 'getting away from the city' was a major draw to the ceremony.

The solstice is one of the few times access is granted inside the stone circle, which has been roped off since 1978, following years of erosion and vandalism.

Gina Pratt, a 43-year-old housewife and a self-described witch, said being inside the circle as the sun came up gave her 'a kind of a grounding feeling (of) being in touch with the earth again, and the air we breathe.'

Pratt, who wore a cape of crushed red velvet and wielded an amethyst-tipped wand, said the event gave rise to conflicting emotions.

'It makes you feel small and insignificant ... but it makes you feel like you're here for a reason,' she said.
Wiltshire Police were on hand to ensure the event remained peaceful, although 15 arrests were made overnight for minor public disorder offences. Stonehenge's origins remain a mystery, but theories suggest the grounds were part of a huge astronomical calendar.

Others say an ancient sun worshipping culture aligned the structure with the midsummer sunrise and the midwinter sunset.

The site was used as a cremation cemetery since its inception, archaeologists say, but it is unclear if that was its principal function.

'The truthful answer is we don't know exactly what it was for,' said Amanda Chadburn, an archaeologist with English Heritage, which manages the site.

Whatever its origins, the construction of Stonehenge - built with massive stones drawn from up to 150 miles away - gives insight into an ancient culture.

The World Heritage site was built in three phases between 3000 B.C. and 1600 B.C.

Despite it being one of Britain's most popular tourist attractions, with more than 850,000 visitors a year, it was announced last week that £10 million of funding for a proposed visitor centre at the prehistoric site has been axed, putting the plans on hold indefinitely.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1288255/Summer-solstice-20-000-flock-Stonehenge-mark-longest-day.html#ixzz0dOZLbPRO
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Revellers at Stonehenge to celebrate Summer Solstice by coldrum on Tuesday, 22 June 2010
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About 20,000 revellers were at Stonehenge to mark the Summer Solstice, each hoping to see the sun as it rose above the ancient stone circle at dawn.

Police described the event on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire as one of the safest in years, although 34 people were arrested for minor drug offences.

Sunrise, marking the longest day of the year north of the equator, occurred over the circle at 0452 BST.

The Heel Stone, just outside the main circle, aligns with the rising sun.

Peter Carson from English Heritage said: "It has been quieter this year but it's been a great solstice.
'Monday morning'

"It's an improvement on the last few years - the last time I remember seeing the sun rise was in 2003 - so it's great to see the sun has put in an appearance.

"This year there are about 20,000 people and last year it was about 35,000 - so that is quite a bit down which has meant the operation is a lot easier. "

He said two years ago the solstice happened early on a Saturday and about 30,000 people attended.

He added: "I think the days of the week do make a considerable difference to the number of people who come along - this year it's a Monday morning.
Pagan roots

"The people who are streaming out now - a lot of them are going to work."

Victoria Campbell, 29, was among those marking the solstice.

She said: "It means a lot to us...being British and following our pagan roots."

The Londoner, who works in the finance industry, added "getting away from the city" was a major draw.

On Sunday police chiefs said they had planned for "all eventualities" ahead of the event.

Last year a record 36,500 revellers attended, causing traffic chaos and road closures.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/wiltshire/10362534.stm
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Re: Stonehenge Summer Solstice 2010 by coldrum on Tuesday, 22 June 2010
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Summer solstice celebrations at Stonehenge hit by funding blow

Summer solstice revellers disappointed that coalition government will cut funding to new Stonehenge visitor centre.

Sometimes the police come in for criticism, while at other times English Heritage attracts the ire of the druids, ravers, hippies and sun lovers who turn out for the summer solstice at Stonehenge.

At today's celebrations there was a political target – David Cameron and the coalition government – following the announcement that government funding for a visitor centre at the ancient monument was being cut.

The outcry from solstice revellers was led by the unmistakeable figure of Arthur Pendragon, a druid who believes he is an incarnation of the once and future king.

Pendragon, who rejoices in the title of battle chieftain of the council of British druid orders, said he was not surprised that the £10m funding was dropped.

"I knew the writing was on the wall. I knew the new government wouldn't stump up the money. It's no surprise but, still, it's a disgrace. This wouldn't happen anywhere else in the world."

Pendragon has campaigned for 20 years for a new visitor centre at the World Heritage site and to close at least one of the busy roads that surround the stones.

Tourists are often shocked at the state of the centre and amazed that traffic is allowed to roar past so close.

Last year Gordon Brown promised £10m towards a £25m scheme to build a glass and timber centre and to shut the nearby A344. The scheme was expected to win planning permission soon and the project was due to be completed in 2012 to coincide with the staging of the Olympics in the UK.

Last week the government announced the funding would be pulled. English Heritage, which manages the site, said it was "extremely disappointed", arguing that transforming Stonehenge was "vital to Britain's reputation and to our tourism industry". It said it would try to find the funding from elsewhere.

Pendragon said he was worried about how the shortfall would be met: "I don't want to see them making up any shortfall with a public-private partnership. I don't want to see Americans going home with T-shirts reading: 'I've been to McDonald's Stonehenge'.

"All they've got to do is go to an investment banker with a decent proposal. Nearly a million visitors come through here every year. Any investment bank will see that it's a money spinner.

"It's not as if they aren't good for the money. Being English Heritage, they've got a castle or three they can put up as collateral.

"We've been 20 years waiting for this visitor centre, faffing about. They can borrow the money and build the bloody visitor centre. That's what I intend to make sure they do."

Rollo Maughfling, archdruid of Stonehenge and Britain, greeted the rising of the sun with a blast on his trumpet – which sounded not unlike a vuvuzela. "It's been a wonderful, warm night," he said.

Around 20,000 people turned up to mark the solstice and by dawn there had been 30 arrests for minor offences. It was also the first time the solstice sun had peeped from behind the clouds since 2003.

While campaigning tends to be left to Pendragon, Maughfling said it was a druid's duty to get involved in politics when the need arose – and it had now arisen.

"You have to tangle with politics to make sure that, for example, our national shrines and temples are looked after," he said.

"Look at any of the stories of druids in ancient British literature and ancient Irish literature, there have been times when the security of the land has been in the hands of druids as well as kings. Druids have taken sides in all kinds of matters. We can't stand apart from it all."

Peter Carson, head of Stonehenge for English Heritage, said he was pleased at how the solstice went

Read the rest of this post...
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Re: Stonehenge Summer Solstice 2010 by davidmorgan on Monday, 21 June 2010
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That was such an amazingly chilled out fairly low-key solstice, one of the best I've been to - and lovely warm sun to reward us.
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Stonehenge prepares for Solstice celebrations by Andy B on Sunday, 20 June 2010
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Police chiefs say they have planned for "all eventualities" ahead of the annual Summer Solstice celebrations at Stonehenge in Wiltshire.

Last year a record 36,500 revellers arrived for the event, causing traffic chaos and road closures.

Ch Supt Steve Hedley said: "If you want to enjoy Stonehenge and the Solstice, you are more than welcome. But it must be enjoyed peacefully."

Sunrise is at 0452 BST on Monday, with good weather predicted.

Last year there were 37 arrests for minor disorder and drugs offences.

A National Trust spokesman said the car park and camping areas are already full, although an overflow car park would be opened later on Sunday.

Source:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/wiltshire/10360539.stm
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Details of the solstice at Avebury by Andy B on Sunday, 20 June 2010
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Details of the solstice at Avebury are here:
http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace/w-avebury/w-avebury-parking.htm
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Re: Stonehenge Summer Solstice 2010 by davidmorgan on Friday, 18 June 2010
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I'll be there.

How about any Megalithic Portal fans meeting at the Round Barrow at 03:00?
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    Re: Stonehenge Summer Solstice 2010, meet on Round Barrow by AngieLake on Monday, 21 June 2010
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    Hi David

    Played it by ear on the night and unfortunately was trying to kip in the car around 3am. (Didn't of course!)
    Brilliant Solstice, good atmosphere and I liked your photos. Have posted a few of my own tonight, hope you like them.

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    Re: Stonehenge Summer Solstice 2010, meet on Round Barrow by davidmorgan on Tuesday, 22 June 2010
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    Yes, brilliant solstice and a beautiful midsummer's day. It makes such a difference only having 20,000 people instead of the 35,000 on a weekend!

    Unfortunately my video this year is rubbish - I got a little overenthusiastic at the beginning and most of it is too dark, I didn't really wander around enough to get lots of angles and then my battery ran out at about 06:30.
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Re: respect by Anonymous on Friday, 11 June 2010
Just bow down before your ancestors who built and believed and try to feel their presence and maybe you can believe where you came from and hope that you know that where you are going, is the right place for you in the future that you have expected to be in, when you just left the past you were in, before you came here. Take your time and forget the tourists. Iechyd da and look to the sky, feel your feet upon this our temporary existance in now..
Cariad ....
Morgan ap Rhys
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Re: by Anonymous on Thursday, 10 June 2010
Please don't climb on the stones. I beg you
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