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Wiltshire, Key: MOA - Managed Open Access at EH - English Heritage CONTINUING DISCUSSION OF MOA FOR THE SUMMER
SOLSTICE 2007
Planning meeting
discussion for the MOA in 2007 Having provided Peter (EH) with details of why the
Sunset was Spiritually significant (See the Minutes for October 2006) EH as
well as our representative Roy, took four options which were discussed by the
'Planning Meeting Committee', for the opening/closing times for MOA 2007: 1. No Change, i.e. the car park to
open at 2. Open the car park and monument field
two hours earlier than MOA in 2006, i.e. the car park to open at 6:00 pm
(18:00 hrs) BST and open the monument field at 8:00 pm (20:00 hours) BST on
the 20th June. 3. Open the car park one hour
earlier, i.e. 7:00 pm (19:00 hrs) BST and open the monument field 1 and a
half hours earlier at 8:30 pm (20:30 hours) BST on the 20th June
with the monument field and car park closing one hour earlier, i.e. the
monument field closing at 8:00 am (08:00 hours) BST and the car park field to
close at 12 noon (12:00 hours) BST on the 21st June. 4. Open the car park one hour
earlier, i.e. at 7:00 pm (19:00 hrs) BST, but keep the monument field opening
time at 10:00 pm (22:00 hours) BST on the 20th June, with the
monument field closing time remaining unchanged at 9:00 am (09:00 hours) BST
on the 21st June. Results of the
planning meeting for the MOA in 2007 Peter (EH) reported that the planning meeting were in
favour of option 1, i.e. maintaining the status quo with the MOA times
remaining unchanged. However they saw benefits in opening earlier. Most
parties at the planning meeting committee considered moving all the timings
one hour to be of possible benefit. However, option 3) was decided upon as
the preferred option, with the car park opening one hours earlier and the monument
field opening one and a half hours earlier at 8:30 pm (20:30 hours) BST,
thereby increasing the total time inside the stones by 30 minutes to eleven
and a half hours. Peter (EH) said that these new MOA times for 2007 would
be published on the EH Web site, as EH has done in previous years. Catherine, Rollo, Susanna and many others agreed that
these earlier opening times would bring benefits and Tim said that opening
the car park and monument field would make everything more manageable because
the high density of visitors who wait for the car park gates to open so they
can access the monument field would be doing so in daylight and therefore the
walk across the field between the car park and the monument field would be in
daylight for all these early visitors. Brian Viziondanz said that he preferred option 2) and he
saw option 3) as "achieving nothing" Peter (EH) said he was disappointed in Brian
Viziondanz's comments, (given the positive reaction to most other RT Members)
and reminded Brian Viziondanz that the 'Planning Meeting' had preferred
option 1) where nothing was changed at all and in fact all the other agencies
on the Planning Meeting Committee had asked EH "Why change it at
all?", because changing and in particular extending the times that the car
park and monument were open did increase the level of funding needed for the
MOA. Officer Dibble agreed and explained that 'moving the
window' did not cause too much hassle, but if the access was made longer this
would cause an 'over-run' on the amount of hours worked by his officers and
therefore Wiltshire Constabulary would have to use the 'Mutual Aid' programme
where officers from other forces would be drafted in to cover these longer
hours. However, under this programme it is not possible to draft in officers from
another for force for an hour or two. They have to be brought in for a full
shift and this would add at least another £14,000 to policing costs. Other
agencies such as the Fire and Ambulance Departments would likewise be
affected. Brian Viziondanz asked that if these costs were covered
this "would not be a problem?"* However, the reply from Peter (EH)
and Officer Dibble is that as well as the 'Financial Factors', there was also
far wider reaching implications including the impact on the local community
and on commuters by the road closures which would need to be extended if the
car park and monument field was open longer. In addition, on the 21st
June around 500 visitors arrive between Tim asked for a show of hands on proposal 3) and the
vast majority of RT Members voted in favour. The exceptions being Brian
Viziondanz and two guests who no doubt felt unqualified to vote either way. Although the car park will open one hours earlier than
in 2006 Peter (EH) felt that the 2006 road closure time of 4:00 pm (16:00
hrs) BST on the 20th June, 2007 could still be maintained so that
traffic would not be affected. However, with the monument field and car park
both closing one hour earlier than in 2006 the aim would be that the road
closure could be lifted hopefully earlier than 4:00 pm (16:00 hrs) BST on 21st
June, 2007. *However, if Brian Viziondanz were to come up with
concrete proposals for how these additional costs would be covered in the
future they would be discussed by RT Meeting, as any serious proposal is. Hoped for changes
and improvements which will be possible in part due to the earlier opening
times Phil thought that being allowed into the monument field
was a positive step and that visitors may well split into two groups. These
who come specifically for the sunset and those who come for the sunrise. Mark
agreed and said that he hoped this would encourage more families to come for
the sunset (so that they could then take their children home for school etc
the following day). Tim said that it would also be beneficial for the Peace
Stewards', 'Magic Stewards' (see below) and EH Stewards because the crowds would build up in
daylight, rather than as in previous years (except 2001) when visitors cannot
enter the monument field until after dark. Other Groups to be
involved to participate - update Catherine reported that she had written a draft copy of
the letter to be sent to all broad based Pagan and Spiritual Groups.
Catherine offered to do at the last RT Meeting (October 2006). Catherine had
sent this to EH and she commented that she was disappointed not to have
received a reply from EH before this meeting. EH assured Catherine that they
will be sending her suggested 'updates' for this letter once there has been
more discussion about what these groups are being invited to participate in
(see below). Peter (EH) said that he was looking for commitment from
RT members who put forward proposals so that when he took these ideas to the
'Planning Meeting Committee' he was sure that these proposals would happen if
accepted. Sunset Ceremony Rollo mentioned the 'Magic Stewards' seen in the earlier
years of MOA. He has the list of 200 - 300 people who could be contacted and
invited to participate in a 'Sunset' Ceremony' before dark. Frank said that it was important that there was
"Interest and enthusiasm outside the Stones" which gained much
agreement as did Frank's comment that obviously these ideas had to be
responsible ones which were followed through. Susanna suggested that there should be a 'performance
space' where young bards and other musicians could perform and that other
groups such as Morris Dancers and performance artists should be invited.
Susanna reported that she was already networking to make them aware of this
idea. Susanna also commented that many Druids had stopped attending the
Summer Solstice at Rollo suggested that those people who did agree to come
and participate in various forms of performance and ceremony could be
summarised in a flyer which those involved in arranging these activities
could put together into a timetabled flyer to be given out to visitors as
they arrive. With respect to 'performance space' Fee, supported by
Roy raised the matter discussed at the October 2006 RT Meeting that although
it did mean introducing 'infrastructure' there should be 'tea tents' where
some of the 'performance spaces' could be located, particularly during the
hours of darkness. For more information on the 'tea tents' proposal please
read T RT Minutes for October 2006. Brian (EH) said that one of their focuses for MOA in
2007 would be to try to improve the visitor experience by cutting down the
'anti-social' activities such as people urinating on fences and hedges. Catering Brian Viziondanz asked when the catering would be
decided. Peter (EH) said that had just appointed a new caterer for Your input is
Requested! Feedback, on catering, the idea of 'tea tents' and what
sort of performances/activities/ceremonies you would like to see is
appreciated by all who read this. If you would like to be involved in 2007
also get in touch with details. Please use the 'Email us' link in the bottom
frame of this web site. No Bottom Frame? Enter the Main Site by visiting http://Stonehenge.MercuryMoon.co.uk
Clearing the
stones Brain Viziondanz felt that when it is time to go this
comes as a "Harsh reality" to some people inside the stones. He
felt that all EH Stewards should be better briefed to ask people to leave
"more gently". While Peter (EH) accepted Brian Viziondanz's point,
he felt that the stewards had a "Huge Tolerance" in the face of
abuse from some people who simply did not want to leave the stones. Susanna
agreed that there is a small minority who have an 'anti-authoritarian'
attitude, which Tim fully agreed with, having been a peace steward helping to
ask people to leave for some years. Peter (EH) also made the valid point that the MOA has
made huge advances in that no police are now used to help clear the stones.
He requested that more Peace Stewards help to ask people nicely to leave the
stones. Shamus said that people may not know the time and
therefore the fact that it was time to leave may come as a surprise to some
visitors. He suggested that a signal could be given; possibly using the
public address system to give prior warning. Catherine suggested that Peace
Stewards should work in the stones thirty minutes before the end of MOA to
give people warning that it was nearly time to go. Frank suggested that as well as having a 'structured
opening' with a Sunset Ceremony perhaps there should be a 'Formal Ending'
with a Procession. Tim said that at the Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox a
'Formal Ending Procession' could be performed to see how it worked. Climbing on
the Stones As he did last year Brian Viziondanz raised the
possibility of stationing stewards at all climbing points for the entire
duration of the MOA to prevent anyone climbing the stones. It was discussed
last year and agreed that it would be provocative to have EH Stewards at
these points. Roy, who has tried doing this himself said how difficult it is
to be 'on duty' in this role for the entire MOA. Roy, with the agreement of a number of
other RT Members suggested that as Brian Viziondanz was so keen on the idea
of stewards stationed at each climbing point during the entire duration of the
MOA, he should organise a 'Team' of stewards, set up a rota and ensure that
it happens! Grand Eisteddfod
Update Rollo reported that he had written to the Culture
Minister on New 7 Wonders The RT was told of the visit by the New 7 Wonders
'Roadshow' on the 17th October (see our own photos and video by
visiting the 'News' Page). Fee suggested to Peter that EH Should include
details of the worldwide poll, because the visitors were obviously interested
in Peter reported that he had been told that there would be
a 'Live Link-up' on the day that the 'top 7' were announced with all the
twenty one finalists. This was expected to be at The Next RT Meeting Next Round Table Meeting date was set for Love, Light and Peace Fee (Mercury Moon) Warner BACK TO THE TOP |
