VISION WORKSHOP: SUMMER SOLSTICE IMPROVEMENTS OVER THE NEXT 10 YEARS
A historic Vision Workshop took place in April 2008, which will significantly change the Stonehenge Summer Solstice experience within the next ten years. The Workshop was made up of people from a wide range of backgrounds including English Heritage; National Trust; archaeologists; police; fire and other health and safety advisors; local councillors and residents, druids; pagans; musicians; bards; former-free-festival-goers' and even ex-convoy members. For many this was the first time they had met face-to-face and it was astounding the amount of common ground between such disparate groups of people.

The visioning attendees worked in eight groups organised so that there was as much variation of interests within each group as possible. This allowed the myths between different individuals/groups to be quickly dispelled and much common ground was found. For example, those representing the local residents said that for many the Summer Solstice MOA spells trouble not just from the older generations who recall the beanfield and exclusion zone years, but also due to the huge traffic problems, they encounter each year.

The recommendations of the working groups are being collated by the independent facilitator for publication to Workshop members in early June. This document is not the end of the Visioning, but is rather the framework for further collaborative effort to achieve the bold and extensive vision for the future.

Initially key problems of current Managed Open Access were identified. These included disrespectful, intimidating behaviour especially by those who were inebriated together with an intolerable level of litter. The general lack of spirituality at the event and the mad crush of people inside and around the stones also caused great concern. Although opening the stones prior to sunset made the 2007 more family friendly it is clear much more needs to be done in this area.

Some improvements rely on the removal of the A344 road that runs from the A303 directly past the Heelstone. Informed opinion is that this will come about within the next ten years and may happen by the Olympics in 2012. This will allow the fences either side of the A344 to be removed, thus opening up the landscape. There are improvements, which can begin before the A344 is grassed over.

Essential key words used at the Visioning for how the Summer Solstice should be celebrated included: Pageant; Eisteddfod; Processions; family-friendly; local community involvement; self-policing, sacred and spiritual. The word, which dare not speak its name, was also uttered … Festival, though this was not envisaged in the 'free festival' form of the 20th Century, but rather as a celebration of community, culture and art that the entire country can be proud of.

The principle improvements within the vision are to lengthen and widen the Solstice Celebration, by the establishment of events in the surrounding landscape, towns, and villages including Amesbury now The Home of Stonehenge ideally in a weeklong run-up to the Solstice itself, with the provision of camping locally. In addition, there should be several events at Stonehenge specifically to cater for different interest groups such as a Family Event. The representatives from Amesbury and the surrounding villages are keen that this should start as soon as possible.

It is hoped the development of the Summer Solstice Celebration into a longer, wider community event with more understanding of the significance of Stonehenge and the Summer Solstice will increase respect for both the site and each other to reduce the level of excessive disruptive intoxication. Self-policing by interested groups including local residents will help in this, however, if unruly behaviour does continue then a complete ban on intoxicants is a possibility, which was mentioned.

It is likely that significant changes will take several years to start to take effect. One current obstacle is the limited budget for the Summer Solstice Access and the cost of an Event licence, which is needed if the Summer Solstice Access is to become what we would all like it to be.

One solution is for Stonehenge to be granted an event licence exception, due to its uniqueness. This is credible on two counts.
1) For many it is a sacred place of pilgrimage and worship and a licence for a church event currently stands at just £21.00.
2) King Charles II granted Wiltshire the in perpetuity right to an Eisteddfod and therefore this would be us, the people of England reclaiming our ancient rights.

For the Summer Solstice Celebrations within the Stonehenge and surrounding landscape to become the Nationally acclaimed celebration of British Arts and Culture the Vision aspires to will require the support, dedication and work of as many people as possible, something which has not happened up to now.

The Results of the Vision Workshop will be presented to Workshop attendees at the beginning of June.. As we were there stay tuned for more details.