Come - be there with love!
Celebrate the magic & wonder of the Stones & each other!
Great news! For the third year running, everyone is
welcome,
subject to the usual conditions of entry
. Admission to the car park and the Stonehenge field are free of
charge.
The car park (follow the sign posts to the field we used last
year)
is officially due to open at 7 pm on 20th June 2002. From there the
walk
is about a mile to the Stonehenge field itself, which will open at 8pm
(transport for individuals who are physically challenged will run from
the bottom of the field car park). Last entry to the car park will be
at
4.30 am on 21st June. Access to the Stones is due to end at 7 am on
21st
June.
see www.english-heritage.org.uk/summersolstice
for full details.
The E.H. Solstice Hotline is 0870 3331186.
The agreed terms of access require us to leave the car park at
1pm.
This agreement will be enforced if necessary by the police and
security.
It is vital that all of us honor the agreements that have been made, to
continue to build trust, so that The Stonehenge Peace Process can
continue
to move forward and our access to the stones can increase.
www.greenleaf.demon.co.uk/sppmenu.htm
-- Stonehenge peace process
This gives us eleven hours of officially sanctioned time to be in
and around the sacred stones, on what (weather permitting) could be a
pretty
bright and exciting night, with a two thirds waxing moon in the sky
until
around 2.30 am. While English Heritage will be providing the toilets,
ambient
lighting (they promise it will be less dominating than last year and
faded
much sooner at first light), refreshment stands, welfare and security,
what we do to enjoy the evening will be up to us!
Nothing will be structured. What happens is up to us. Do come
with
acoustic instruments, presentations, theatre, dance routines – anything
that will bring joy, happiness and good vibes to this special
celebration
of summer. It is hoped this year to have three extra areas of focus,
making
it easier for activities to spread away from the Stone Circle itself –
leaving room for more people to enjoy moving in and out of this very
special
space. We visualise spontaneous performances of every kind – poetry,
solo
and group instruments, talking, displays, dancing and especially
“hanging
out”! Some people may wish to spend a bit of time on the roadway
between
the car park and Stonehenge field welcoming, smudging, entertaining –
celebrating being back together right from the entrance.
Those who want to recognise the sacredness of the day and setting
through more formal ceremony can create space for this. There is room
and
open hearted invitation to all who come in the spirit of
celebration,
community and life.
This truly a “peoples’ event”.
Come ready to take this rare opportunity to celebrate our time
together
without disorder - especially that caused by excessive drunkenness.
Last
year, people with young children felt intimidated. Security and the
police
had safety fears. We only just managed to avoid a total ban on
alcohol
for 2002 (next year it may not be so easy if these incidents continue
).
Security tell us that only limited amounts of alcohol will be allowed
on
site and that the normal laws with regard to disorderly behaviour will
be enforced by the police. Let’s avoid all this by: bringing only small
amounts of alcohol for our own use and taking collective responsibility
to ensure that the exuberance of revellers is not viewed as a threat to
the safety of the event. Above all may we continue the welcoming
cooperation
that has made the last two years such a change from the past.
By embracing the optimum possibility for this Stonehenge solstice
gathering we increase the likelyhodd of it being successful, adding one
more grain of sand to the scales that hold the balance of our global
future
– remember, at a certain point, one grain of sand can tip the scales
one
way or the other. Your input right now may be that grain of sand.
We are all responsible for the outcome of this event!
Come - be there with love! Celebrate the magic and wonder of the
Stones yourself and each other!
Peace Stewards
Voluntary Peace Stewards act as concerned individuals, not at the
behest of the
organisers of the managed access. They sign a waiver form to say
they are acting on their own risk. Their informal and totally neutral
liasing
between people, police and security gives a very valuable exchange of
information.
When everyone knows what is going on, there is less cause for things
going
wrong. Peace can help prevent the police being pursued and baited, as
some
were last year, and are supported, when they deal with the antisocial
few,
whose behaviour threatens the event. At the same time, they can channel
understanding, so police and security do not over-react and
become
involved in situations that can be resolved without them. We need
very many more Peace Stewards this year, because the numbers are
growing
and we all want to see everyone has a nice day! More information
about helping on:
www.greenleaf.demon.co.uk/steward.htm
Truth and Reconciliation Commission for Stonehenge
Stonehenge – how the access was agreed – what about having more
time
together?
Round Table Meetings In Autumn 1995, Tim Abbott, then Mayor of
Wilton,
called for consultations over solstice and equinox access between
English
Heritage and druid groups. National Trust, police, local people in
Wiltshire
and others joined in. The understanding created led to English
Heritage
being persuaded to facilitate regular Round Table meetings and then
accepting
and facilitating free access to Stonehenge at dawn on the solstices and
equinoxes and
especially the all night accesses for the Summer Solstice in 2000
and 2001.
TRC Since 1998, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission for
Stonehenge
has held 22 open forums to discuss peaceful solutions to the problems
at
Stonehenge. These have greatly enhanced communication and been an
invaluable
support to the work of the Round Table. If you wish to attend, or be
advised
of developments
website www.greenleaf.demon.co.uk/padras.htm
A longer gathering for the Summer solstice!
Early in 2002, the TRC initiated a Working Party to discuss whether
a legally authorised gathering lasting several days could be organised.
The working party accepts gatherings will not be allowed at or around
the Stonehenge site itself.
www.greenleaf.demon.co.uk/trcwp1.htm
However, a group of organisers have reported back the opinion
that
a gathering, free at the point of entry, but in accordance with the
regulations,
and health and safety guidelines of the "Purple Book" was possible.
Doing
it legally like this is the only way to be sure there is a hassle-free
place to go every year. It will take time to build the contacts
and
trust that establishes the right to gather and how it is organised.
Until a way is found, there will always be people looking for
somewhere
to go after the Stonehenge access and before Glastonbury Festival. The
TRC have recently issued a press release urging some temporary
provision
be found this year.
Although we working on this possibility right now, at the this
there is no substantial evidence that an after Stonehenge gathering
will take place this year.
Check the website for current information
after May 15th
The whole peace process, the good relationships that have
been
developed with the police, English heritage, many others and future
Stonehenge
access itself will be derailed if people gather illegally
after
21st June. Please understand and respect this, so that we can
continue
to keep this situation opening up.
If you wish to participate in this “working party”,
or be advised of developments
email: Brian viziondanz@infinitepossibility.org
07984026853
