Julian Cope presents Head Heritage

Not that I have much time for the mystic monarch, but he does have a point. Polarised on both sides, in my experience - total denial of problems from the solstice brigade, and total disdain for the solstice brigade from certain quarters. Be nice to see some productive dialogue instead of entrenched camps hurling stones at one another.

Except that no-one could have been more reasonable or constructive!
https://heritageaction.wordpress.com/2015/03/03/king-arthur-slams-the-heritage-journal/

Not convinced that that's *entirely* constructive, but no desire to bicker ;)

I think the discrepancy is that HA want what's best for the prehistory, the druids want that but alongside and as part of 24 hour access, privileged access etc etc. HA just want the damage to stop, total disdain would be to only insist on solstice access being stopped.

That's quite a subjective view though. They want what "they" think is best for prehistory. Also, if we were simply going to concern ourselves with what's best for prehistory, every site would be hermetically sealed under a dome. Seeing as nobody is calling for that, we presumably accept the principle that such sites exist within a social context where access and engagement are accepted. That being the case, nobody is arguing "against" a concern for prehistory - just disagreeing over how the balance is best struck.

This account by a senior officer really needs airing far and wide.


"I would like to add my thoughts to the debate about open access to the Stones at Solstice.I would prefer to be anonymous for professional reasons.

I have attended several of the summer Solstice events in a professional capacity as a senior officer in one of the statutory emergency services. I have witnessed first hand the heartbreak that the staff feel when they reclaim the area within the circle the morning after. I have seen guardians in tears at the insults wrought to the monument, the appalling stench, the rubbish, the vandalism, beer cans wedged into cracks in the stones, urine, vomit and faeces everywhere.
The majority seems to have little care for an ancient monument, and utterly disrespect it.
One member of staff (NT or EH, can’t remember), whilst starting to collect the detritus, in tears, muttered “364 days a year we protect and care for this place, 364 days a year, and then this happens in one night”. But they always manage to clear the rubbish up and get the site open again. The smell lingers, though, for days."

To me it seems the entry fee to Stonehenge is over-priced. It should be kept under £10, people wanting to visit at Solstice should have to pay the same fee - with a limited number places available. Let the Druids have their rituals - after they've paid the entry fee like everyone else.

They want what "they" think is best for prehistory.

The price of seeing The Stonehenge should be kept to under 10p (for those who actually want to pay). Every sightseer should be compelled to line up in height order though. The visitors should them be made to approach the stones in line with their eyes closed and then limited to no more than a minute of viewing (in case their eyes suck in too much of "Ye Magik Of Ye Stonehenge". They can open their eyes on the way back but not turn around and look again (anyone doing so should be forced to dance a samba while being jeered and mocked by judges from Strictly Come Dancing).

Those who decide to contribute a sum (of no more than 10p) should be personally thanked by someone dressed in a D'Oily Carte Light Opera Company admiral's uniform (the "admiral" can be a lady or a gentleman but they must be wearing a monocle). Those monies collected should be directed to National Organisations like "Riding For The Confused", "Save The Wasp" and "Woodwork For The Short-As-Two-Thick-Planks".