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Stonehenge braced for record Solstice crowd in 2009

Submitted by coldrum on Saturday, 20 June 2009  Page Views: 2834

Stonehenge

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Wilshire police to crack down on anti-social behaviour, treating the event as they would a Saturday night in a city centre.

English Heritage and the police are gearing up for the biggest ever crowd of visitors to Stonehenge for the Summer Solstice tonight.

Wiltshire Police say they expect good weather and the fact that the solstice falls on a weekend to attract record numbers of people to descend on the ancient monument.

The force has drafted in extra officers to crack down on anti-social behaviour and say they will police the event like they would a Saturday night in a city centre, with a zero-tolerance approach to drugs and drunkenness.

Restrictions are being placed on the amount of alcohol revellers can bring in and illegal drug-taking or unlawful raves will not be tolerated.

English Heritage, which manages the site, has stipulated that no more than four cans of beer or a bottle of wine per person will be allowed.

Its guidance to revellers state: "Illegal drugs are still illegal at Stonehenge as they are anywhere else.

"The police will be on site during the access period and will take immediate action against anyone flouting the law.

"Summer Solstice is not a good time to experiment with drugs - the crowd, the noise and the sheer size of the place are likely to make any bad reaction much, much worse.

"Only small amounts of alcohol for personal use will be permitted on to the site. Alcohol is limited to no more than the equivalent of four 500ml cans of beer/cider or 75cl of wine."

Tens of thousands of people are expected to start arriving at the site from this evening ahead of the sunrise on the longest day of the year at 4.58am.

Another all-night party, on a smaller scale, takes place 25 miles away from Stonehenge at the ancient stones in Avebury.

Last year 30,000 people watched dawn break at Stonehenge, which was obscured by rainy conditions.

timesonline.
Contributor Bio for coldrum: Based in Milkyway, contributing since 2002. Favourite site: Avebury.

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"Stonehenge braced for record Solstice crowd in 2009" | Login/Create an Account | 10 News and Comments
  
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A baking summer... with "Sconehenge" by coldrum on Saturday, 20 June 2009
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Scone me! Art student Mathew Growcoot decided to celebrate this year's Summer Solstice by creating his very own "Sconehenge".

As thousands of pagan worshippers prepare for the longest day of the year the cake-loving teenager has created a replica of the ancient temple for a college project.

Set a task to "The Art of Food" Matt decided to splash-out some dough to create the half-baked tribute to the famous prehistoric rock circle.

With more than 70 scones held together with toothpicks, the 19-year-old from Liverpool reckons his art project was really a piece of cake.

Matt said: "My inspiration came when I heard a news clip on the radio speaking about the Summer Solstice being held on the 21st.

"I thought it would be fitting to make a copy of stonehenge and began thinking what would make the best building blocks.

"I had contemplated baking brownies or even one big cake I could chop into blocks but in the end I sensibly just bought a load of scones.

"The I hit on the idea of 'Sconehenge' and started baking.

"I have to admit it was probably the easiest piece of art I have made and it's certainly the most popular."

http://www.clickliverpool.com/news/national-news/124860-a-baking-summer-with-sconehenge.html
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Thousands expected for solstice by coldrum on Saturday, 20 June 2009
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Thousands of people are expected at the twin sites of Avebury and Stonehenge in Wiltshire to celebrate the summer solstice.

A limit of 200 tents has been imposed at a field near Avebury Ring after residents complained about the sheer numbers of visitors in 2008.

The village's shop has ordered extra supplies to cope with demand.

"It's the busiest weekend of the year and the maddest as well," Kirsty Ayre, of the Red Lion pub, said.

"For a lot of these guys who come here throughout the year, this is their main event, their main ceremony, so it's very important for them, and it's very important to me."

Sunrise is at 0458 BST on Sunday, 21 June, on what is the longest day of the year. In 2008 it was estimated some 30,000 people saw in the solstice at Stonehenge.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/wiltshire/8110646.stm
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Summer Solstice 2009 by coldrum on Saturday, 20 June 2009
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Summer Solstice 2009

The 20-21 June will see the Summer Solstice 2009 take place at both Stonehenge and Avebury. This years policing objective as always is to ensure the public feel safe to attend, satisfied with the means and manner in which it is policed and as a consequence confident in Wiltshire Police.

The vast majority of people attending the Solstice celebration are law abiding, and simply want to enjoy the occasion safely. They are welcome and we will do all we can to assist them. They can be confident that their safety is our priority and that we will treat everyone with respect

The Solstice and Avebury celebrations will be policed the same as any other public event where we always respect the beliefs of all law abiding people and want those attending to have a safe and enjoyable time but within the law

It is unacceptable to have to suffer violence, criminality, disorder, drunkenness and general anti social behaviour in the area's where we live. It is no more acceptable when at any public event and the same laws apply

The manner in which we police the event will be in keeping with that intention but at all times it will be proportionate to the circumstances. A good solstice for the police will be a safe one where people have enjoyed themselves and there have been no arrests

This year the event is over a weekend and more people than normal are likely to attend. For this reason, whilst there are no grounds to believe that this event will be anything other than peaceful and enjoyable, the public have a right to expect that our planning takes account of the likely increased numbers and also that we will use public resources efficiently making best use of the latest technology

Any attempt to set up an illegal rave or free festival in the lead up to, during, or following the Solstice will instigate a positive and proportional police response to prevent it

Drunkenness, disorderly / violent behaviour and the supply / use of illegal drugs greatly increases the danger to all, especially to families and children, many of whom do attend this event.

English Heritage have imposed a condition of entry that only moderate personal consumption of alcohol is permitted and that drunken people will not be allowed entry. The Police have a legal duty to assist them in applying this condition for the safety of everyone. We would therefore advise those wishing to attend the Solstice to bear this in mind and not bring any more than moderate amounts of alcohol with them

Amnesty bins and drugs dogs will be on site and we will deal firmly but proportionately with any such behaviour. We make no apology for stating that ‘Any individual intent on such activity should stay away’.

Normal policing services throughout Wiltshire will be maintained and officers rest days have been re-rostered in order to ensure this.

This year, additional policing effort is intended to achieve our aim of safe, satisfied and confident and to ensure that we do all we can to positively police this celebration and make it an enjoyable event for all of those that attend.

ACC Andy Marsh

http://www.wiltshire.police.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=673
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The Summer Solstice with the largest sundial in the world by coldrum on Saturday, 20 June 2009
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Stonehenge is the oldest monument to the sun built roughly 4,000 years ago, that thousands flock to for sunrise on June 21. It is actually a galactic clock, marking significant changes of seasons. It has a rival now, and just in time for the summer solstice. June 21st is the longest day (daylight) of the year for the Northern Hemisphere. It's a day in which cultures throughout history have celebrated. This year of 2009 is 400 years after Galileo made his first observations with a telescope. To mark the great accomplishment, it has been named "The year of astronomy".

To honor the occasion, scientists and engineers in France have turned a dam into what they say is the largest sundial in the world. Sundials have been used for centuries to tell time during the day. It works as the sun's shadow is cast on a dial which is numbered in reverse of a clock. With the exception of daylight saving's time, it is fairly accurate in counting and marking the correct hours as the sun makes it's apparent trek across the sky.

See the video below. For a look at some of the largest sundials in the world- see the slide show below. It's interesting how many claim the be the largest.

http://www.examiner.com/x-11224-Baltimore-Weather-Examiner~y2009m6d20-Video-of-the-largest-sundial-in-the-world
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Police ready for Stonehenge convergence by coldrum on Saturday, 20 June 2009
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AMESBURY, England, June 20 (UPI) -- Police in the British county of Wiltshire say they are prepared for a large convergence of people on the Stonehenge archaeological site for the summer solstice.

Andy Marsh, a Wiltshire police assistant chief constable, told The Guardian the this weekend's celebrations at Stonehenge would be treated routinely though more than 30,000 people were expected.

"The celebrations will be policed the same as any other public event," Marsh said. "We want those attending to have a safe and enjoyable time but within the law.

"The public have a right to expect that our planning takes account of the likely increased numbers and also that we will use public resources efficiently making best use of the latest technology."

Marsh told the British newspaper police would not tolerate the presence of illegal drugs at Stonehenge and urged visitors to avoid orchestrating free festivals or raves.

http://www.upi.com/Entertainment_News/2009/06/20/Police-ready-for-Stonehenge-convergence/UPI-53561245518524/
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Thousands expected at solstice by coldrum on Saturday, 20 June 2009
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By Morwenna Blake
THE summer solstice is approaching and thousands of people are expected to descend on Stonehenge to celebrate the dawn of the longest day of the year.

Last year more than 30,000 revellers turned up to mark the occasion and a similar number is expected this year, as the Solstice again falls on a weekend.

Peter Carson, head of Stonehenge at English Heritage, said: “We are very pleased to be welcoming people to Stonehenge once again to enjoy the Summer Solstice.

“This is the 10th year that English Heritage has provided free access to the stones and over the last decade the solstice has been a peaceful celebration enjoyed by thousands of people.

“This success is due to English Heritage working closely with the key partners and communities and together delivering an enjoyable and safe solstice.

“And, as with every year, we will balance the needs of those attending the solstice with our duty to protect the stone circle and its surrounding monuments.

“A...

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Forget Stonehenge: 5 questions put science back in summer solstice by coldrum on Saturday, 20 June 2009
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Huge crowds are expected to gather at Stonehenge in England this weekend to celebrate an annual astronomical event – the summer solstice. Officially beginning 5:45 Universal Time on June 21, the 2009 summer solstice marks the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.

Pagans and Wiccans gather at the solstice to honor the sun and to dedicate their service to the earth. But many solstice revelers use the extra hours of sunlight as an excuse to party. According to an article in The Guardian, the Wiltshire police are bringing horses, drug sniffing dogs and an unmanned drone to control the 30,000 people expected to descend upon the ancient ruins. The article goes on to say that “peace-loving” Druids are taking their celebrations elsewhere to avoid the unruly throngs.

I don’t blame them.


I can’t think of anything less spiritual than crowding shoulder-to-shoulder with a bunch of hippies and wannabe wizards who want to get drunk watching the sun come up. But there's...

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Solstice - delays likely on A303 at Stonehenge by coldrum on Saturday, 20 June 2009
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Traffic on the A303 at Stonehenge is expected to be very busy on Saturday and Sunday during the summer solstice celebrations.

More people than usual are expected to attend the event this year as it takes place at the weekend.

The Highways Agency is advising people travelling to Stonehenge to use public transport where possible.

There will be a bus service from Salisbury railway station to Stonehenge run by the Wilts & Dorset bus Company throughout the solstice period.

People arriving by car and through traffic on the A303 are advised to allow longer for their journeys.

http://www.andoveradvertiser.co.uk/news/4446423.Solstice___delays_likely_on_A303_at_Stonehenge/
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Traffic expected to be busy on A303 at Stonehenge this weekend by coldrum on Saturday, 20 June 2009
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MOTORISTS in the Yeovil area are being warned that traffic on the A303 at Stonehenge is expected to be very busy this weekend (June 20-21) because of the summer solstice celebrations.

People travelling to Stonehenge are advised to use public transport where possible. There will be a bus service from Salisbury rail station to Stonehenge run by the Wilts & Dorset bus Company throughout the solstice period.

People arriving by car and through traffic on the A303 are advised to allow longer for their journeys.

http://www.thisisthewestcountry.co.uk/news/somerset_news/4446051.Traffic_expected_to_be_busy_on_A303_at_Stonehenge_this_weekend/
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Stonehenge up close by coldrum on Saturday, 20 June 2009
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Thought the days of touching the stones were over? Anyone can - all you have to do is book early and pay £14, says Ginny McGrath.

There was no red carpet, no tour guide, not even a leaflet. Just 12 of us and a chatty security guard on a blustery Monday morning in Wiltshire.

We wove between the stones, ran our fingers over the coarse lichen-covered blocks and stared skywards at the megaliths that have occupied this field for 4,000 years.

Wandering among the stones might be something my Dad’s generation took for granted, but 30 years ago English Heritage put Stonehenge behind ropes, albeit very low ones, to stop visitors from damaging the site.

The trampling and caressing by some 850,000 visitors a year took its toll, albeit less drastically than the 19th century practice of handing out chisels to visitors who wanted to take a piece of the monument home with them.

Souvenir-hunters are still banned, but few people realise that touching the stones isn’t. If you pay an...

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