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| Stone Formation Archive 1995 |
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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 on September 28, 1995 MORE than 200 animal-skin cloaked druids gathered in Avebury on Saturday to mark the summer equinox, the second time in the year when day and night are of equal length. A spokesman for the National Trust in Avebury said it was a peaceful meeting, during which druid followers conducted ceremonies to celebrate one of the ancient events of their calender. The group spent the night at Blacklands Lakes camp site near Calne. They assembled at the Great Barn in Avebury at 10.45am, before moving on mass to the south west circle of stones at 2pm, where they stayed for the day, listening to speeches and the beat of a drum. Chris Gingell, National Trust property manager in Avebury, said: "We had a large gathering, but nothing that caused any difficulty or inconvenience to other visitors. They always wear a mix of animal skin cloaks with trainers poking out the bottom." Although the druids did not camp out in the Silbury Hill car park, as has been the case in the past, Mr Gingell said that such events can be run more effectively if pre-arranged. "We prefer to be asked because then we can discuss their movements," he said. "Sites like Avebury are not public open spaces, they are managed for everyone's access. "Someone has to ensure that these sites are available for everybody. Most groups do ask, but we have to accept that with so-called religious groups, there are a number of dates when they feel they have a right to do these things." No damage was caused to any of the stones. Back to 1995 index |
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