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| Stone Formation Archive 1986 |
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 Stone Formations news, views, gallery and archive brought to you by Weird Wiltshire Introduction Latest News News Archive Stonehenge Stonehenge Project Stonehenge 360 Avebury Saviours Stones Village Solstice Wayland Smithy Long Barrow Woodhenge Gallery Summer Solstice Gallery 2002 Summer Solstice Gallery 2004 Postcards Wallpaper Links 
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First published on May 17, 1986 AS scores of hippies descended on Stonehenge today an MP warned that Wiltshire could be hit by an outbreak of disease. "The hippies should stay away for their own good declared Salisbury MP Robert Key. "I'm investigating fears that if the peace convoy congregates in Wiltshire it could lead to an explosion of hepatitis and AIDs." And Mr Key added: "For the next month, Stonehenge will be about drugs, sex and crime." Today, Swindon police were on the alert for hippies entering their division to link with others massing around the county. Nearly a year ago, a 'peace convoy' on its way to Savernake forest drove at police manning road blocks near Common Head. Police are now monitoring the hippies who set up camp overnight at the ancient monument. Defying legal moves to stop a planned pop festival, they arrived under cover of darkness in a 14-vehicle convoy. And they claim another 20 vehicles are on the way. Many are thought to be from a site near Bath where they were about to be evicted. Huge log barriers were today ready to repel any hippies who try to get into Savernake Forest again. A year ago the Forestry Commission lost thousands of pounds in revenue when it had to close the camping site after a thousand or more hippies drove on to the adjoining picnic site. The convoy was finally ordered out by the high court. they left behind piles of scrap and rubbish, and damage to the picnic area is still visible. It cost a further £3,000 to clean up the site. The hippies took the Forestry Commission by surprise last year but the woodsmen are ready should another invasion threaten. Enormous logs weighing as much as six tons block many tracks leading into the woods. Later today, Wiltshire police called on surrounding forces for help as at least 40 vehicles in two hippie convoys tried to reach Stonehenge. A police car was rammed. Back to 1986 index |
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