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Wiltshire, Key: MOA - Managed Open Access at EH - English Heritage NT - National Trust COBDO - Council Of British Druid Orders DISCUSSION OF MOA FOR THE SUMMER SOLSTICE 2007 Allowing Access
for the Sunset Merlin suggested that access into the Car Park field and
into the stones field should be moved forward to allow visitors in earlier.
Catherine suggested that as the Sun Set occurs at The police were concerned that this was simply a 'push'
to get in earlier and remain there longer, which would have implications on
road closures, which are inconvenient for other road users as well as the
time the police would be needed to be 'on duty' which would increase their
costs etc. Peter (EH) asked for clarification of the importance of
the Sunset as an important part of the Terry agreed to write out a summary of the significance
of the Sunset to send to EH. Merlin and Rollo both suggested that this would create a
more relaxed 'vibe' because visitors would be entering the stones field in
daylight. The MOA of 2001 was referred to where visitors were allowed into
the stones field to observe the sunset. Paul suggested that this would also allow the
reinstatement of the 'Sunset Service' which was performed in 2001. Susanna said that as the event had become larger and
more people attended (citing 2001 when 7,000 visitors attended the MOA) many
had commented that the event had become so overwhelming that they felt it had
become meaningless, with the exception of Shamus's 'Sacred Soapbox'. Peter (EH) reminded everyone that whichever way we want
to move forward any proposals put forward by 'us' must be fulfilled. Peter
used the Torch procession from the car park field at the 2006 MOA as an
example of a proposal which had no come to fruition and therefore wasted EH
resources (fire marshals, security etc) who had been 'on hand' and then not
needed. Therefore Peter reminded us that we have to show commitment to any
proposals we make for improvements to the MOA 'Experience'. Catherine, (Pagan Federation
Rep).
offered to contact and liaise with the broadest possible range of Spiritual
and Pagan groups and co-ordinate any activities which these groups would want
to do so that there can be regular 'slots' where many ceremonies and
different activities can be 'timetabled' to try and keep a spiritual focus
throughout the MOA. Brian (EH) reminded people that many visitors
specifically do not like the presence of Druids within the stone circle as
they want more drums in the centre. However, the main was seen as being one
where everyone would be able to spend some time inside the stone circle which
is something which does not currently happen, because some 'take up
residence' there for the entire duration of the MOA. It was also suggested that if we are to really move
forward there needs to be more community support. Paul pointed out that football events which happen every
two years with the World Cup and the European Cup (an example being the World
Cup in 2006) have an effect on the visitors and seemed to him to affect the
amount of alcohol brought in and consumed, because at these times there seems
to be a wealth of 'Special Bulk Buy Offers' on beer etc. Solstice Timings
for the Summer Solstice 2007 Summer Solstice 2007 occurs at Stewarding EH welcomed the suggestions that there should be more
stewards from with the 'community' and less provided by EH. Peter (EH) again
reiterated that they need to know there will be enough stewards in total due
to the legal Health and Safty requirements so that
they need to be assured that any 'Community Stewards' who say that will be
there, are there and we were all asked to think about who could help in this. Visitor
'Experience' Peter (EH) said that he had received no complaints about
the quality of the food, however it was pointed out that the quality of the
food was only one aspect of the catering that that the 'visitor experience'
of how they had to eat the food was as important as the quality of that food.
At the moment the caterers serve the food from 'open air
counter-top's and there is nowhere to sit and eat comfortably, particularly
if the grass is wet which is usually the case for at least part of the MOA.
Therefore visitors tend to eat quickly before being drawn back to the stones
area because there is no incentive for them to be anywhere else. Also, there were a number of complaints that the
plates/cups etc used to serve this food were found in the litter inside the
stones, showing that some people collect their food and/or drink and take it
straight back to the stones. It was proposed by 1) To improve the 'visitor
experience' as a whole. 2) To draw people away from the
stones themselves to relieve the pressure on the stones. The examples seen at many events and gatherings where
food is served within 'tea tents' was suggested, so that there are places,
provided by the caterers which are dry with ambient illumination where people
can eat and rest. One example, which those who do not attend events such as
the Big Green Gathering may not have experienced, is the 'Bedouin'. It was not proposed that these 'tea tents' should have
'formal' tables and chairs, but rather matting floors and cushions to give an
appropriate, informal 'vibe'. It was further
suggested that, using the Bedouin Tent as a 'model' these 'tea tents' could
also be used for various activities including non-amplified acoustic music,
poetry, talks, performances by the many excellent bardic
performers, such as Tim Hall from Glastonbury, many of whom are at the MOA
anyway, but do not have anywhere appropriate to perform (other than the
Sacred Soap box'). If they perform elsewhere, the minority know about it
because they are in the dark so they are heard by a few people and seen by
even fewer visitors, which gives them little incentive to perform much! There was a digression into a discussion of 'stages',
but this was clarified that there was no intention to have specific formal
'stages', which would not be appropriate, but rather, as seen in the 'Bedouin'
& other 'tea tents' a small 'area' for appropriate performances, which
could include Spiritual Events and activities during the MOA. If there were several 'tea tents' then one could be
specifically dedicated to 'Spiritual Activites' and
would provide a location for the broad range of Spiritual and Pagan groups
Catherine had agreed to contact and liase with.
Therefore it would be possible for each group to have their own 'slot' and
Roy agreed that there should be as many 'Ceremonies' around the site as
possible to draw as many of those people interested, from the stones
themselves as possible. Creating a 'vibe' If the 'tea tents' were situated in the same area as the
catering is now, and the 'performance area was situated so that the
un-amplified music from bardic musicians such as
Tim Hall from Glastonbury and other musicians drifted outside, this would
also be a welcoming 'introduction' to the Stones field, and would also help
to set up a 'vibe' for the visitors as they enter the field. The potential of the provision of 'tea tents' will be
limited for 2007 because many of the 'tea tents' such as the Bedouin will
already be set up at Glastonbury Festival (subject to planning permission
being granted), however, not all such people will be at Glastonbury and
therefore there was a real hope by Roy, Fee, Susanna and others that this
suggestion is a feasible one. Peter (EH) and Brain (EH) were concerned that the
introduction of 'tea tents' which are 'infrastructure' would "change the
dynamics" of the event. However Fee was quick to point out that since 2001 when
7,000 people attended the MOA the 'dynamics' have changed, because there are
now regularly close to or over 20,000 people attending the MOA and that as
everyone is agreed that a solution to reduce the pressure on the stones needs
to be found, the introduction of 'tea tents' is a way of 'restoring the
dynamics' of the event, rather than changing 'the dynamics'. Giving first time
(especially) young visitors a 'guide' on behaviour Paul pointed out that according to the EH Surveys around
50% of visitors to the MOA are 'first timers' and many are local, young males
and therefore they probably have no 'set' preconceptions of how to behave
within the stones field and come with an open mind. Therefore the presence of
these 'tea tents' would help to 'set the vibe' that the stones are a Sacred
Site for many of these young first time visitors. As many older people and especially those with children
have reported that they have stopped attending the MOA because of the drunken
behaviour of some of these young, often first time visitors, it is hoped that
they could be encouraged to return. Particularly if the MOA timings were
changed to allow access into the stones field before sunset! Brian (Viziondanz) suggested that notice boards could be
situated every 100 yards along the field between the car park field and the
stones field reminding people of the spiritual element to the event, but that
this should be kept "open" so as not to alienate people. He cited
'Project Bristol' where over a series of four weeks there had been cultural
events, plays etc and that the unruly elements had been driven away by those
within the project - "Control with a small 'c'." Peter (EH) agreed that changes which help to "set
the scene" were a good idea, but felt that this was something for groups
within the MOA visitor community should organise. Suggested
improvements in EH 'Media Releases' When asked, Rebecca (EH Media Relations) agreed that the
press releases etc could be updated to include more emphasis on the spiritual
side of the event. POSSIBILITY FOR A GRAND EISTEDDFOD Summary History: Rollo submitted a letter to the
Secretary of State. In 2002, Tim Sebastian submitted a second letter to the
Queen for a Grand Eisteddfod to be held in Wiltshire near The Queen referred them to the Minister for Culture
& Sport (currently Tessa Jowl). Rollo didn't approach the Minister for
Culture & Sport in 2002, wanting to wait to see how the MOA progressed. The initial reactions from EH, were very positive to the
idea. Wiltshire Constabulary stated that as this would be a separate event to
the Summer Solstice at Organisation of the Grand Eisteddfod would obviously
need to be in consultation with Salisbury Council, the Police, NT, EH,
English Nature, Wiltshire Constabulary, Ministry of Defence and all other
organisations as appropriate, with Rollo acting as COBDO representation. Although the Welsh Eisteddfod runs for a week, the
proposed length of the first Grand Eisteddfod in Wiltshire would be a weekend
(probably Friday to Sunday) with the target time-frame being between 2 and 5
years. Therefore this would certainly not come to fruition for 2007 although
2008 or 2009 are possibilities. The Next RT Meeting Next Round Table Meeting date was set for the 1st November 2006 Love, Light and Peace Fee (Mercury Moon) Warner BACK TO THE TOP |