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| Stone Formation Archive 2000 |
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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  |
First Published June 21 2000 THOUSANDS of people took part in peaceful summer solstice celebrations this morning after Stonehenge was opened to the general public for the event for the first time since 1984. Druids, revellers and the police mingled freely as about 6,000 people gathered at the historic Wiltshire site. English Heritage said the success of this year's event paved the way for greater access in the future. An English Heritage spokeswoman said: 'We are very happy that a lot of people came along and it was a happy and peaceful atmosphere. 'The fact that it's gone so well means that we will be looking at more arrangements in the future.' Wiltshire police say they didn't have to make a single arrest as the crowd waited for the sun to rise at 4.44am. Prior to daylight, the night sky had been lit up by fire eaters and the sound of drums could be heard some distance away. One member of the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids, who would only give his name as Shaun, travelled from Southampton for the ceremony. He said: 'Opening Stonehenge to everyone is the best solution. If people get to know the stones they will learn to respect them.' Veronica Hammond, from Cheltenham who is the Arch druid of the Cotswold Order of Druids, said: 'I think opening it up is a very good decision. I was crowned on Saturday and it's good to be here. The majority of people have behaved.' The move to open Stonehenge for the summer solstice comes just one year after an organised visit for 150 people, including religious groups, was disrupted after gatecrashers pushed down fences and clambered on the stones. Several hundred people also celebrated the summer solstice at Avebury. Back to 2000 index |
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