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Stonehenge Winter Solstice 2009 |
davidmorgan
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|  Posted 15-12-2009 at 13:02
Anybody else going there for it?
I'm guessing it's Monday morning, opening at 7am?
See you there!
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AngieLake
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|  Posted 15-12-2009 at 19:20
See here David:
http://www.stonehenge-druids.org/page721.html
Wrap up warm! 
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davidmorgan
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| Posted 15-12-2009 at 20:51
It's Tuesday then. I'm going to have to confirm this.
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Jimit
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| Posted 16-12-2009 at 08:41
I thought it was Midwinter Sunset which was suposed to be celebrated?
http://www.megalithic.co.uk/modules.php?op=modload&name=a312&file=index&do=showpic&gid=4&pid=19939&orderby=dateD
Jim.
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Andy B
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| Posted 16-12-2009 at 11:49
I've created a page of information as an excuse to put Angie's lovely photo on the front page.
http://www.megalithic.co.uk/article.php?sid=2146413774
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Andy B
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| Posted 16-12-2009 at 11:55
I also found this:
Winter Solstice Event at Stonehenge
Wed Dec 16 – Sat Dec 19, 2009
Free talks and tours by leading archaeologists and astronomers
An opportunity to view the sunset itself
“From Earth to the Universe” exhibition
It is well known that there is a connection between Stonehenge and sunrise and sunset on the longest and shortest days of the year. To celebrate this connection between the stones and the sky, in the International Year of Astronomy 2009, a special event has been organised by the Royal Astronomical Society together with English Heritage.
When you arrive at Stonehenge you will see a marquee containing not only an exhibition of astronomical images but also a number of specialists eager to guide you round the site itself or the surrounding landscape or, if the weather is inclement, to give short presentations or simply to talk to you individually.
Our band of enthusiastic experts includes professional archaeologists, some of whom who have been working for the past five years on the Stonehenge Riverside project, conducting important new excavations and archaeological work in the area, and professional astronomers who, as part of the Royal Astronomical Society’s Astronomical Heritage Comittee, have a special interest in ancient and historic sites related to the skies.
Tour guides will include archaeologists Andrew Lawson, Julian Richards, Mike Allen and Julie Gardiner, archaeoastronomer Clive Ruggles and astronomers Mark Bailey, Mike Edmunds and Derek McNally, as well as Ian Robson, who chairs the IYA2009 activities in the UK.
PLEASE NOTE that while all the guides’ services are provided for free, access to the monument, with or without these guides, will be subject to the normal site entrance charge,* unless you are booked in for the evening event. If you are on site at 16:00 you will be able to stay to watch the sunset (weather permitting!) before the site closes.
[ This message was edited by: Andy B on 2009-12-16 11:58 ]
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Andy B
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| Posted 16-12-2009 at 11:57
Link would be useful!
http://www.le.ac.uk/has/ahc/shws-event/
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davidmorgan
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| Posted 16-12-2009 at 12:02
Quote:
| On 2009-12-16 08:41, Jimit wrote:
I thought it was Midwinter Sunset which was suposed to be celebrated? |
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Yes, but they don't have open access at the sunset.
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davidmorgan
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| Posted 16-12-2009 at 12:19
Quote:
| On 2009-12-15 19:20, AngieLake wrote:
Wrap up warm!
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Stonehenge is only 15 miles away from me and it's already snowing here. Might be interesting up on the plain.
BRRRRRRRRR!
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AngieLake
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| Posted 17-12-2009 at 01:08
Thanks for that Andy.
David, did you see this comment on the Druids' website?
"For people who turn up at Stonehenge on the 21st there will be a simple sunrise ceremony in the National trust field opposite Stonehenge. It is very unlikely that English heritage will let anyone through to the stones. **At sunset on the 21st I believe that another ceremony may take place and for this there is a chance that EH will allow people through to the monument field.**"
I see it's the 21st, not 22nd, but it sounds as if there's a chance you might get in for it. I see you're quite close to the stones, so worth going for! 
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davidmorgan
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| Posted 17-12-2009 at 12:27
It's a nice sunny day, so I'm leaving right now to meet the astronomers.
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Andy B
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| Posted 17-12-2009 at 15:22
Great idea David, let us know who was there and what happened.
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davidmorgan
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| Posted 17-12-2009 at 20:25
I wasn't impressed with astronomical set-up there. A few telescopes dotted around and posters of galaxies and such, and a slide show of pictures of Stonehenge. I was expecting it to be more of a sun alignment type archaeo-astronomical display - but no such luck. I guess they were doing some tours but I decided to wander down the avenue and over to the New King Barrows (?), nice gnarled beech trees up there. Took some quite nice photos of the sunset, with my back to the icy north wind.
[ This message was edited by: davidmorgan on 2009-12-17 20:28 ]
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AngieLake
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| Posted 17-12-2009 at 22:28
Thanks for that report David. Not worth a 100-mile drive up from here on icy roads then!
Love your photos!
I must go and have a closer look at the King Barrows next time.
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sem
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| Posted 23-12-2009 at 22:45
The other night, me and my mate Nick decided to celebrate the winter solstice with a few pints of Nick's mulled wine (he uses only the most "exotic" spices), when we were contacted by Ugge, a denizen of Ye Olde Worlde (that's Xmas spelling).
Ugge: Hi and a Merry Solstice to you both.
Us: We think of it as Xmas.
Ugge: Xmas, that's years in the future. We've been celebrating the solstice for longer than you'll be celebrating that birthday, at least that's what the shaman says.
Us: So what do you celebrate at solstice Ugge?
Ugge: Not sure really, but it's a good time to drink new types of alcohol. We've got one bloke in our small hunter-gatherer group reckons he's made some from honey and called it emad. Poor bugger may be good at anagams but dyslexia and alcohol don't mix.
Us: So it's not about the sun returning, days getting longer etc.
Ugge: Of course it's not, we've known about the sun and what happens for .....? Well at least since my grandad's grandad. He suggested we put up stones to show what happens, but I'd prefer to to be told. You can't believe everything stones tell you.
Us: So what does happen with the sun, Ugge?
Ugge: Now that's what I've been trying to get my head around. The shaman points out that the sun appears for longer and we should celebrate, yet it's the coldest part of the year. Now we're doing a bit of farming I have to kill off two of my five cattle 'cause I ain't got the means to feed them. Aunt Ogwyn (Welsh side of the family) is nearly 25 and any really cold weather will kill her off, would be a blessing at her age though. Then there's the missus's brother, broke a leg hunting auroch. I don't expect him to survive. It's even been suggested that we sacrifice someone to placate the Gods. Huh! As if enough people didn't die at this time of year.
Us: So what's your Xmas/Solstice message Ugge?
Ugge: Eat your slaughtered cattle, drink the available alcohol and be merry. For in the next three months you may die of hypothermia, starvation and any infection that that the previous may affect.
Us: Bah, Humbug to Ugge and all on MP.
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