What is the TRC ?
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) was born on 1st June
1998 to address and heal the issues arising out of the conflict
surrounding
access to Stonehenge during the '80's and 90's and the societal issues
that were brought into relief by this situation. The TRC, one of many
groups
active in this situation, acts as an umbrella and focal point for many
of these groups. More details on the TRC can be found on the web at…
www.greenleaf.demon.co.uk/trc.htm
After years of conflict and negotiation between different
factions
of the alternative and main stream culture, the authorities (police)
and
English Heritage, a way forward has been found to open up the
Stonehenge
circle for a limited period of time.
FULL UNLIMITED ACCESS FOR EVERYONE during the Summer
Solstice
period from11:30PM on Tuesday, June 20th to 7:30AM on Wednesday, June
21st.
will be allowed. In the past there has been difficulty in managing a
limited
access during the Solstice period because those individuals and groups
not included in those arrangements felt the need to take the law into
their
own hands to gain the access that they felt entitled to.
http://www.greenleaf.demon.co.uk/trc9.htm
A New beginning for Stonehenge 2000
This year English Heritage has taken the courageous step of allowing
unlimited access to all under certain conditions, ones that will make
the
event both manageable and acceptable to all parties on all sides of the
dispute. The major players in the Stonehenge peace process
have accepted these conditions as the way forward to greater and freer
access in years to come. These groups have taken on the
responsibility
for stewarding this event and communicating with the many factions the
importance of adhering to the agreement. Individuals are
requested
to come to the event only if they fully accept the agreement that has
been
reached.
The TRC believes that English Heritage and the police desire to
put
the conflict of the 80's and 90's to rest and that they are acting in
good
faith in this matter.
English Heritage are working with the police and the
TRC
and other groups to alleviate fears of local residents, land
owners
and the community at large who were impacted by and remember the events
of the '80's, most notably "the battle of the beanfield …
HISTORY OF THE TROUBLES
THE BATTLES FOR STONEHENGE
Many of the groups are arranging for peace stewards to facilitate
safe passage for the event. An example of this can be found on the web
at
http://www.greenleaf.demon.co.uk/steward.htm
Some members of the TRC feel it necessary to invite UN observers
to report with neutrality on the conduct of the event. A video
team
will also be documenting the event.
The TRC believes that the step forward in creating partnership
between
the different factions and the authorities is a metaphor for the
healing
of our society and is a powerful example to the word in how a society
can
heal itself. The TRC will continue to address the greater issue
of
the public's inalienable right to full access to the circle at all
times,
recognising that it has been a gathering place for spiritual groups of
may genres for thousands of years.
