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Anorak News | In photos: The Summers Solstice at Stone Henge 2013

In photos: The Summers Solstice at Stone Henge 2013

by | 21st, June 2013

TODAY more than 20,000 people celebrated the summer solstice at Stonehenge ahead of the £27 million transformation of the site. In the 19th century, visitors were given a small hammer to knock off a piece off the stones. Now you’re lucky if you touch them at all. People are being removed from the Henge. The new car park will be over a mile away. Drivers will take a road tain to the ancient site. The stretch of the A344 which runs beside the monument will be shut and grassed over. There’ll be a shop and a cafe. Seeing the Henge will cost.

I remember visiting as a boy and sitting on the rocks for free, and again as a teenage on my way to the Treworgey Tree Fayre 1989 (Gaye Bikers On Acid made my ears ring for a week).

This year, a few lucky ones – druids, pagans, tourists, New Agers – got within carving distance of the Stones. A police officer told media that “Solstice 2013” had been a success. Yep, it’s been branded. Solstice 2013. STick it on a fridge magnet and cash in.

Superintendent Matt Pullen from Wiltshire Police said:

“Solstice 2013 [wail! gnash!] has been a great success with approximately 21,000 people celebrating in the positive, friendly atmosphere as they waited for sunrise. The weather held but unfortunately the cloud cover was too dense to see the sun come up. The majority of people respected the conditions of entry and the amnesty bins provided were used. Approximately 70 cannabis street warnings were issued. As with previous years, the passive drugs dogs proved very effective. The success of the event depends largely on the good nature of those attending and we are pleased that people could enjoy solstice in the spirit of the event.”

Sure. Because the 70 weed smokers were hellbent on smashing the place up.

Simon, of England, last name not given, meditates as he touches an ancient stone during the summer solstice shortly after 04.52 am at the prehistoric Stonehenge monument, near Salisbury, England, Friday, June 21, 2013. Following an annual all-night party, thousands of new agers and neo-pagans waited at the ancient stone circle Stonehenge for the sun to come up, but cloudy skies prevented them. They danced and whooped in delight marking the summer solstice, the longest day of the year. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)

Simon, of England, last name not given, meditates as he touches an ancient stone 

Newly engaged Karma, left, of New Zealand and Simon, right, of England, last names not given, pose for the photographer during the summer solstice shortly after 04.52 am at the prehistoric Stonehenge monument, near Salisbury, England, Friday, June 21, 2013. The couple were engaged that morning on the site. Following an annual all-night party, thousands of new agers and neo-pagans waited at the ancient stone circle Stonehenge for the sun to come up, but cloudy skies prevented them. They danced and whooped in delight marking the summer solstice, the longest day of the year. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)

Newly engaged Karma, left, of New Zealand and Simon, right, of England, last names not given, pose for the photographer during the summer solstice shortly after 04.52 am at the prehistoric Stonehenge monument, near Salisbury, England, Friday, June 21, 2013. 

People dance during the summer solstice shortly after 04.52 am at the prehistoric Stonehenge monument, near Salisbury, England, Friday, June 21, 2013. Following an annual all-night party, thousands of new agers and neo-pagans waited at the ancient stone circle Stonehenge for the sun to come up, but cloudy skies prevented them. They danced and whooped in delight marking the summer solstice, the longest day of the year. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)

A monk dances during the summer solstice shortly after 04.52 am at the prehistoric Stonehenge monument, near Salisbury, England, Friday, June 21, 2013. Following an annual all-night party, thousands of new agers and neo-pagans waited at the ancient stone circle Stonehenge for the sun to come up, but cloudy skies prevented them. They danced and whooped in delight marking the summer solstice, the longest day of the year. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)

People play during the summer solstice near the prehistoric Stonehenge monument, near Salisbury, England, Friday, June 21, 2013. Following an annual all-night party, thousands of new agers and neo-pagans waited at the ancient stone circle Stonehenge for the sun to come up, but cloudy skies prevented them. They danced and whooped in delight marking the summer solstice, the longest day of the year. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)

People prepare to leave during the summer solstice at the prehistoric Stonehenge monument, near Salisbury, England, Friday, June 21, 2013. Following an annual all-night party, thousands of New Agers and neo-pagans waited at the ancient stone circle Stonehenge for the sun to come up, but cloudy skies prevented them. They danced and whooped in delight marking the summer solstice, the longest day of the year. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)

People raise their hands in celebration during the summer solstice shortly after 4:52 am at the prehistoric Stonehenge monument, near Salisbury, England, Friday, June 21, 2013. Following an annual all-night party, thousands of New Agers and neo-pagans danced and whooped in delight at the ancient stone circle Stonehenge, marking the summer solstice, the longest day of the year. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)

People dance in celebration during the summer solstice shortly after 04:52 am at the prehistoric Stonehenge monument, near Salisbury, England, Friday, June 21, 2013. Following an annual all-night party, thousands of New Agers and neo-pagans danced and whooped in delight at the ancient stone circle Stonehenge, marking the summer solstice, the longest day of the year. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)

Newly engaged Karma, left, of New Zealand and Simon, right, of England, last names not given, talk during the summer solstice shortly after 04:52 am at the prehistoric Stonehenge monument, near Salisbury, England, Friday, June 21, 2013. The couple were engaged that morning on the site. Following an annual all-night party, thousands of New Agers and neo-pagans danced and whooped in delight at the ancient stone circle Stonehenge, marking the summer solstice, the longest day of the year. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)

A man stands during the summer solstice shortly after 04:52 am at the prehistoric Stonehenge monument, near Salisbury, England, Friday, June 21, 2013. Following an annual all-night party, thousands of New Agers and neo-pagans danced and whooped in delight at the ancient stone circle Stonehenge, marking the summer solstice, the longest day of the year. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)

People perform in celebration during the summer solstice shortly after 04:52 am at the prehistoric Stonehenge monument, near Salisbury, England, Friday, June 21, 2013. Following an annual all-night party, thousands of New Agers and neo-pagans danced and whooped in delight at the ancient stone circle Stonehenge, marking the summer solstice, the longest day of the year. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)

Following an annual all-night party, people rest during the summer solstice shortly after 04:52 am at the prehistoric Stonehenge monument, near Salisbury, England, Friday, June 21, 2013. Thousands of New Agers and neo-pagans danced and whooped in delight at the ancient stone circle Stonehenge, marking the summer solstice, the longest day of the year. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)

People walk during the summer solstice shortly after 04:52 am at the prehistoric Stonehenge monument, near Salisbury, England, Friday, June 21, 2013. Following an annual all-night party, thousands of New Agers and neo-pagans danced and whooped in delight at the ancient stone circle Stonehenge, marking the summer solstice, the longest day of the year. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)

People meditate during the summer solstice shortly after 04:52 am at the prehistoric Stonehenge monument, near Salisbury, England, Friday, June 21, 2013. Following an annual all-night party, thousands of New Agers and neo-pagans danced and whooped in delight at the ancient stone circle Stonehenge, marking the summer solstice, the longest day of the year. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)

Crowds gather at dawn amongst the stones at Stonehenge in Wiltshire for the Summer Solstice.

Crowds gather at dawn amongst the stones at Stonehenge in Wiltshire for the Summer Solstice.
Crowds gather at dawn amongst the stones at Stonehenge in Wiltshire for the Summer Solstice.

Crowds gather at dawn amongst the stones at Stonehenge in Wiltshire for the Summer Solstice.

Crowds gather at dawn amongst the stones at Stonehenge in Wiltshire for the Summer Solstice.

Crowds gather at dawn amongst the stones at Stonehenge in Wiltshire for the Summer Solstice.

Crowds gather at dawn amongst the stones at Stonehenge in Wiltshire for the Summer Solstice.

Crowds gather at dawn amongst the stones at Stonehenge in Wiltshire for the Summer Solstice.

Crowds gather at dawn amongst the stones at Stonehenge in Wiltshire for the Summer Solstice.

Crowds gather at dawn amongst the stones at Stonehenge in Wiltshire for the Summer Solstice.

Crowds gather at dawn amongst the stones at Stonehenge in Wiltshire for the Summer Solstice.

Crowds gather at dawn amongst the stones at Stonehenge in Wiltshire for the Summer Solstice.

Crowds gather at dawn amongst the stones at Stonehenge in Wiltshire for the Summer Solstice.

Crowds gather at dawn amongst the stones at Stonehenge in Wiltshire for the Summer Solstice.

Crowds gather at dawn amongst the stones at Stonehenge in Wiltshire for the Summer Solstice.

Crowds gather at dawn amongst the stones at Stonehenge in Wiltshire for the Summer Solstice.

Crowds gather at dawn amongst the stones at Stonehenge in Wiltshire for the Summer Solstice.

Crowds gather at dawn amongst the stones at Stonehenge in Wiltshire for the Summer Solstice.

Crowds gather at dawn amongst the stones at Stonehenge in Wiltshire for the Summer Solstice.

Crowds gather at dawn amongst the stones at Stonehenge in Wiltshire for the Summer Solstice.

Crowds gather at dawn amongst the stones at Stonehenge in Wiltshire for the Summer Solstice.

Crowds gather at dawn amongst the stones at Stonehenge in Wiltshire for the Summer Solstice.

Crowds gather at dawn amongst the stones at Stonehenge in Wiltshire for the Summer Solstice.

Crowds gather at dawn amongst the stones at Stonehenge in Wiltshire for the Summer Solstice.

Crowds gather at dawn amongst the stones at Stonehenge in Wiltshire for the Summer Solstice.

Crowds gather at dawn amongst the stones at Stonehenge in Wiltshire for the Summer Solstice.

Crowds gather at dawn amongst the stones at Stonehenge in Wiltshire for the Summer Solstice.

Crowds gather at dawn amongst the stones at Stonehenge in Wiltshire for the Summer Solstice.

 

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Posted: 21st, June 2013 | In: Reviews Comment | TrackBack | Permalink

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