Click here to go to our 1999 Stonehenge Summer Solstice page
Click here to E-mail us.
"Summer Solstice at Stonehenge 1999"
Mickie Dredd
We arrived in Avebury about 4pm on Sunday afternoon. There were
about 1000 people max, we rang a friend at henge who said there was a few people
there. We'd heard rumours that the exclusion zone was back in force, but decided
to go and see. We got to henge at about 5pm, to find a road block on the A360
going past the stones. When we asked the police why, we were told it was to stop
accidents as people were wandering around and it might be dangerous. (actually
this was sensible, but it only applied to us, because the next day
"tourists" were driving at speeds of 70mph plus down the road). When
asked if they were stopping people we were told that they couldn't and we could
walk there. It was a two mile walk, and boiling hot so it took us about an hour
with all our gear. We met up with our friends, who were getting worried, they'd
been told by the police that they'd got an eviction order and they were going to
impound the vehicles. We hung around till about 6pm or so and nowt had happened
so we pitched tents and started to try to enjoy ourselves. The atmosphere wasn't
good more like atmosfear at this point. Not long after this there was a lot of
police activity, we were down the lane opposite the stones but there was a large
group of vehicles in the car park. The police moved in and evicted the car park
forcing them away. we later found out they parked up not far away. There
appeared to have been a couple of arrests, but most people just left, as I've
said people were afraid, they remember 1985. Email dated 15Jun00: Ref the first account
of the aboveI can put my hand on heart and say that no
After this things became quiet. we went up towards the stones about 10pm and
people had just started to "party", with music from drums and Irish
pipes, fire breathers etc. Things became a lot less tense and a party atmosphere
took hold. Even the police had chilled out and were dancing with people, their
"patrols" had stopped, everything was cool. It was obvious the police
didn't really know what was going on. In fact people genuinely thought that
they'd be allowed into the stones. The police on the ground at this point didn't
disagree, they just said no orders.
At about 2am we went back to the tents to pick up a couple of our group who had
decided to have a sleep. Upon returning we found the fence down. There was no
mass charge as some of the press had said, people were just gradually going into
the stones in two's and threes, walking not running. The police were ignoring
this. We got into the stones and everyone was singing and dancing. There was a
real mix of people, from travelers to young party types, from middle aged
"hippies" to the non-middle class Druids. Everything was really cool,
people enjoying themselves, no hassle very calm. About 3.30am a friend had run
out of film so we decided to go get some more. Just as we got to the road the
police blocked the road near the car park and were not letting anyone through
either way. We went back to the fence and saw riot police, dogs and horses
forming up. People were shouting to those in the stones that the police were
coming. I went back to the stones to find friends. Upon finding them, they and
others still didn't believe the police would do anything.
One of friends was arrested and charged with assaulting police (on 29-jul-99 he
was bound over) The next day we were trying to find were he was (we were in
Amesbury), but we realized we didn't know for sure his second name. Upon
returning we found police all over the place. They were searching everyone,
their tents, vehicles, everything. They were also asking for personal details,
which beyond names and addresses we were not giving. This was on the pretence of
looking for offensive weapons, apparently according to them, although there's no
proof, one of the security working for the National Trust had been injured. What
needs to be stated here is that all these security, were big shaven headed,
wearing army boots and trousers. Its common knowledge they were squadies. They
searched our van and took a machete used for cutting wood, a bread knife which
wouldn't cut bread (it used to bend it was so flimsy), which I used to cut
grapefruit. As our driver said to the copper you'd do more damage with a pointed
stick. This was pure harassment, NO weapons were found, the police have admitted
this. Also if there had been the trouble the press amongst others alleged there
would have been more than two arrests for assault (all the others been charged
with trespass).
After this we got phone call to say pick my friend up in Salisbury, which we did
then going to Avebury. We'd had enough, we needed a break. We spent the next
night and following day there with no trouble and no police and the locals been
really nice and friendly again (as they are always here). What is interesting is
my mate who was arrested asked the police why there wasn't any hassle at
Avebury. They replied that they knew nothing about Avebury. On a last note,
there was no real trouble at Stonehenge, no matter what you've heard or read
etc. It was purely political, the top police couldn't be seen to allow people to
do what they want, they had to take control again. They tried to provoke but it
didn't work. I personally don't agree with people climbing the stones, but they
did no damage (as attested by archaeologists), and the tanks and tourists have
done more damage over the years than all the festivals. There are some from the
"pagan" community who have come out with some right rubbish, but they
tend to be well off, with nice little homes, who have there little tickets to
get in etc. I have tried to put the side of people who were actually there to
some pagan sites, but have been stopped, while their lies and "state"
propaganda continues. I've even had "hate" mail, and threats of
spells. My answer to these sad people, is come to Leeds (or any other inner
city), they wouldn't survive away from their cosy lives.
Click here to go to our 1999 Stonehenge Summer Solstice page
Click here to E-mail us.