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The Modern Antiquarian Forum » Stonehenge and its Environs » Time to stop solstice stones access |
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Howburn Digger 986 posts |
Mar 06, 2015, 07:37
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tjj wrote: I had my eyes opened about Stonehenge last summer when with a friend I walked from Woodhenge, following the helpful interpretation panels along the way. The best views of Stonehenge are from some distance off, following the route of the Avenue uphill is a worthwhile experience. I felt a bit sorry for the hundreds of visitors, many of whom had been brought by coach, to pay nearly £15 a time and yet they were missing out of the 'hidden' Stonehenge - which is actually free and and in clear view. From the landscape it looks down on. The best views of Edinburgh Castle are from vantage points around the city and further afield. Some people are parted with their cash to stumble along the cobbles and look at the (mostly) Victorian buildings. Weird, but I suppose they are mostly from abroad and might be momentarily confused, mistaking "local custom" for "being ripped off". The idea of paying to go and stand, wander round and look at either a historic monument like Stonehenge or a relatively modern building like Edinburgh Castle is weird. I just don't see any "purchase".
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tjj 3606 posts |
Edited Mar 06, 2015, 18:38
Mar 06, 2015, 17:28
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Just read this from the Western Daily Press - can't see the name of the reporter, they've given a personal view of the summer 'celebrations' having been present to report on it. I don't necessarily agree with the reporter that the event must always be free ... http://www.westerndailypress.co.uk/Exclusion-answer-safeguard-stones/story-26126454-detail/story.html
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nigelswift 8112 posts |
Mar 06, 2015, 18:09
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tjj wrote: I don't necessarily agree with the reporter that the event must always be free ... Nor I. Why? "It's a temple, at which certain people worship". OK, no problem with that but the majority patently don't qualify for free tickets on those grounds. "Sir Cecil Chubb gifted it to the nation and stipulated everyone could go there for free." No he didn't. "A lot of people can't afford a tenner." Some, fair enough. But most can.
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moss 2897 posts |
Mar 06, 2015, 18:12
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The reporter was Tristan Cork, a rather sensible discussion was my first reaction, and still is. Mustard was right when he said that we get to be a bit 'subjective' on the matter; Though I can't see Cork's method of swamping Stonehenge with loads of stewards will be practical..... http://www.themodernantiquarian.com/forum/?thread=72707&message=917025
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tjj 3606 posts |
Mar 06, 2015, 18:58
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moss wrote: The reporter was Tristan Cork, a rather sensible discussion was my first reaction, and still is. Thanks Moss. I was particularly interested in this observation - "And then, and then. There are the ravers. They come just for the party. It's a legal rave with djembe drums rather than techno beats, it's outdoors but it's cool, man. It's in the middle of Stonehenge, man. It's chaos, it's epic, it's carnage, it's mayhem, it's sick, man. These are the people I attempt to interview to get "a flavour" of the solstice. They are the adjectives they use. If they weren't at Stonehenge they would be at a festival, or falling out of a nightclub in a provincial town, or getting lairy in Faliraki. This is the youth of this sceptred isle and they are claiming their birthright." There are plenty of legal 'raves' around and they all cost money to attend. Illegal ones too - which almost always lead to arrests by the police who turn up as soon as they get wind of it. I personally don't think Stonehenge should be used for a free rave ... sorry to be a fuddy duddy.
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moss 2897 posts |
Mar 06, 2015, 19:47
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tjj wrote: moss wrote: The reporter was Tristan Cork, a rather sensible discussion was my first reaction, and still is. Thanks Moss. I was particularly interested in this observation - "And then, and then. There are the ravers. They come just for the party. It's a legal rave with djembe drums rather than techno beats, it's outdoors but it's cool, man. It's in the middle of Stonehenge, man. It's chaos, it's epic, it's carnage, it's mayhem, it's sick, man. These are the people I attempt to interview to get "a flavour" of the solstice. They are the adjectives they use. If they weren't at Stonehenge they would be at a festival, or falling out of a nightclub in a provincial town, or getting lairy in Faliraki. This is the youth of this sceptred isle and they are claiming their birthright." There are plenty of legal 'raves' around and they all cost money to attend. Illegal ones too - which almost always lead to arrests by the police who turn up as soon as they get wind of it. I personally don't think Stonehenge should be used for a free rave ... sorry to be a fuddy duddy. Living as I did in Somerset for many years, the montage of photos that came before local news, one was of heavily armed police at Stonehenge , baton wielding, helmeted, shields , this was our view for many years; freeing the stones was a victory. Stonehenge by its very presence makes its own history, part of that history is neo-druidism, and people coming together to watch the sun rising, or the end of the pagan winter year. I know we can all scoff at pagans, though actually I respect them, moan about the clutter of people round the stones or the vandalism that takes place but in the end I believe that it is up to the relevant bodies that run and are in charge to make the decisions.... This does not mean that I accept what happens when people get out of hand, you have only to look at our football attendees to understand bad behaviour. But I would also point to the Glastonbury festival, it took years to build the right security fence and employ enough security people to to keep the free riders out, it was/is almost a military operation, and still the local folk don't like it. And to return to 'ravers' Cork does end his account with this.... "But one simple "no alcohol" rule could make a difference. At the moment, there's supposedly a limit – the equivalent of four cans of lager – but it's widely flouted by everyone. Banning booze from the stones will make it less fun for the ravers and safer for the stones. But then, I would say that. As a reporter at the solstice I'm often the only sober one there."
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thesweetcheat 6218 posts |
Mar 09, 2015, 20:40
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At least at Edinburgh Castle you get some "stuff" to look at (and our EH membership gets us in for free anyway). The view from Calton Hill is better though, definitely.
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Howburn Digger 986 posts |
Mar 11, 2015, 00:13
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thesweetcheat wrote: At least at Edinburgh Castle you get some "stuff" to look at (and our EH membership gets us in for free anyway). The view from Calton Hill is better though, definitely. Yeah, Rnbra Castle you get "stuff"... you get victorian buildings, Mons Meg and Margaret's Chapel. There is also the Scottish National War Memorial (this being sited within the castle walls/ ticketed area also allows everyone to get into Edinburgh Castle for free - but not many people know that - you just say at the gate/ ticket booth that you are visiting the National War Memorial and into Edinburgh Castle you jolly well go - for free!). Calton Hill's view is nice, the locals are very friendly, one guy who started chatting to me there one evening wanted to take me for a drink! Just saying! But for Embra other hills, Arthur's Seat is best, Blackford takes a bit of beating, Caerketton is superb and the view from the top of Gowkshill (Mayfield Hill) above Dalkeith (now being absorbed into Embra via the South East wedge housing expansion) is utter bliss. I suppose if I joined The National Trust For Scotland that would entitle me to get into Stonehenge for free. But it's the walk back that's the problem... and it's in such a state...
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thesweetcheat 6218 posts |
Mar 11, 2015, 08:05
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Howburn Digger wrote: I suppose if I joined The National Trust For Scotland that would entitle me to get into Stonehenge for free. But it's the walk back that's the problem... and it's in such a state... Ha ha ha!
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