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[Oracle]

Thousands revel at Stonehenge for summer solstice
By EMILY RISTOW – 7 hours ago

STONEHENGE, England (AP) — The summer solstice drew thousands of revelers to Stonehenge to watch the sun rise over the ancient monument Saturday for the first time in the new season.

Beating drums and wearing rainbow cloaks, the celebrants walked through light rain Friday to talk, dance and meditate as they awaited the start of the event.

Ray Smith, 60, of Hengistbury in southern England, came wearing blue face paint and a multicolored skirt.

"I think it's a place of our ancestors, its a shrine to our ancestors, and I think it's very important to celebrate each season," he said.

Zoe Neale, 48, cheerfully admitted her visit to Stonehenge "is part of my mid-life crisis." She left her West London office amid gentle teasing from her colleagues Friday afternoon to see a very English tradition.

Organizers expect 25,000 people to journey to the ancient site. They will be allowed access to the stone circle, which is usually closed to visitors. Representatives of English Heritage, the monument's caretaker, will be on hand to make sure no one carried away with the celebratory spirit climbs on or vandalizes the stones.

"People generally respect the stones and we don't have a problem," English Heritage spokeswoman Rebecca Milton said.

The solstice in England occurred at 12:59 a.m. Saturday (7:59 p.m. EDT Friday), marking the start of the day with the most sunlight of the year.

Stonehenge, on the Salisbury Plain about 90 miles southwest of London, was built between 3,000 B.C. and 1,600 B.C. It is one of Britain's most popular tourist attractions, drawing more than 750,000 people visit every year.

Solstices were an important part of Europe's pre-Christian calendar and many speculate Stonehenge's orientation offers clues to its creators' pagan traditions.

The original purpose of Stonehenge is debated, but recent evidence has shed some light on the mystery. In May, researchers reported the stone circle was used as a burial ground since its initial construction. Cremated remains found at Stonehenge date back to 3,000 B.C. and radiocarbon dating shows burials continued at the site for at least 500 years. It is estimated that at least 240 people were buried at Stonehenge.

[AQ]

They wouldn't have seen the bloody sun!

I am in Wiltshire at the moment and it is grey, cold and pissing down!

[bill cobbett]

They wouldn't have seen the bloody sun!

I am in Wiltshire at the moment and it is grey, cold and pissing down!

Look on the bright side Aq, you can always nip in to Devizes and have a pint of the old Wadworths.

[Oracle]

They wouldn't have seen the bloody sun!

I am in Wiltshire at the moment and it is grey, cold and pissing down!

Even more reason to worship it

Have you ever been to Stonehenge during the solstice? I went over 25 years ago and it was truly Hippie Heaven The Druids are an interesting lot though. They love their Cyder as I recall .... and I must say that's just reminded me I did too!

Does anyone know from where one can buy West Country Cider in Cyprus?

[bill cobbett]

Morning O. Yes, I was there about 25 years ago as well. Completely different experience to go in to the stones, in to the inner sanctum as it were. Got a real buzz going in as opposed to standing on the outside looking from a distance.

Scrumpy eh ? I prefer paint stripper.

[AQ]

They wouldn't have seen the bloody sun!

I am in Wiltshire at the moment and it is grey, cold and pissing down!

Look on the bright side Aq, you can always nip in to Devizes and have a pint of the old Wadworths.

6x !

[Oracle]

Morning O. Yes, I was there about 25 years ago as well. Completely different experience to go in to the stones, in to the inner sanctum as it were. Got a real buzz going in as opposed to standing on the outside looking from a distance.

Scrumpy eh ? I prefer paint stripper.

No definitely not Scrumpy ... not even as the sixth drink on a Cycling Pub Crawl along the Canal (hic )

But there were lots of sweet fizzy appley Ciders, and of course Perry which I used to drink (by the litre ) since I don't like lager / beer.

[tessintrnc]

My late husband was very fond of "Cripple Cock" cider, (sold in jugs). And yes - after a few pints it did...............

[SSBubbles]

Does anyone know from where one can buy West Country Cider in Cyprus?

The NAAFI perhaps? Do you know the actual name?