CELEBRATIONS

GATHERING AREA
Rollo checked with EH who confirmed that the illuminated 'Gathering Area' would go ahead for the 2007 MOA. Rollo was very taken with the idea of this Gathering area, which can be used for acoustic music. He confirmed that three to four artists were already 'lined up', as a good 'kick off team' who are willing to perform a number of times during the 11 & a half hours of the MOA. As the 'Gathering Area' is now confirmed there were a number of other artists who will be contacted now that it is confirmed that the illuminated matted area will be a part of the 2007 MOA. Rollo asked if the 'Gathering Area' will be included on the hand out map. Peter (EH) & Brian (EH) confirmed that the 'Gathering Area' & Shamus's Sacred Soapbox will both be included on the site map on the reverse of the MOA COE.

Roy asked if there would be an over all co-ordinator & Rollo confirmed that he will do it this year, assisted by others, to which Debbie confirmed she would be on hand to take over when Rollo was needed elsewhere.

Peter (EH), Roy, Susanna & others all agreed that the entertainments at the 'Gathering Area' should start around 10:15 to 10:30 pm. Roy also asked if there would be 'slots' for those who wished to confirm & it was confirmed that once it was dark there would be a 'Clip Board List' for people wishing to perform to be added into the slots (probably 30 minute 'slots').

SUNSET CEREMONY
Rollo confirmed that there would be a Sunset Ceremony within the Stones & didn't feel that it would be practical or indeed desirable to continue to try & 'hold' the centre of the Stones after it got dark. Roy suggested that another 'group' could be 'on hand' to 'take over'. Susanna reported that there were musicians interested in performing inside the stones directly after Sunset, before 'moving on' to the matted area. This would be 'organic' & would depend on the wishes of the general 'crowd' so that if there was a 'will' for acoustic & bardic performance after the Sunset Ceremony then it would happen. Brian Viziondanz commented that "random musicians will turn up & will go for it".

BRINGING INSTRUMENTS
Brian Viziondanz checked that people wouldn't get 'hassle' about bringing things in & Peter (EH) & Brian (EH) confirmed that as long as the instruments did not have 'spikes' (such as cellos) then the EH Security would allow them in. Brian Viziondanz checked that the 'spikes' on cellos were removable & was told that they were although a large number of cellos were not expected!

If musicians don't want to carry their instruments with them all night they would be encouraged to take them back to the car park when they were not needed. However it was also possible for them to put their instrument in 'left luggage' if required. Brian Viziondanz asked if 'left luggage' was secure & Peter (EH) & Brian (EH) confirmed that it was. Susanna felt that most musicians would prefer to keep their instruments with them.

PEACE STEWARD CARPET LOCATION
Roy suggested moving the peace carpet from the 'far side' of the Stones to the same 'side' as Shamus' Sacred Soapbox & the Gathering Area & this was agreed.

As a side note Merlin reported that he had been contacted by a Paramedic team who wanted to come & help. Brian (EH) requested that they get in touch with first aid, which will be there.

CLOSING CEREMONY
Brian Viziondanz asks if there was to be a Closing Ceremony. Peter (EH) was not sure that this would be possible. Susanna said that by the end of the MOA everyone involved in the earlier ceremonies were completely exhausted, to which a number of people nodded agreement. Roy said that Arthur has tried in the past.

Brian Viziondanz said he has done 'announcements' but would like more help. Peter (EH) said that this was a good idea & suggested that this should be at a quarter to eight 15 minutes before the MOA ends.

Shamus suggested Horns & Roy said that of course Helen the Hat already did this. Fee asked Brian Viziondanz that as he knows many musicians & artists he could contact some of them to come & assist with encouraging people to leave musically? Brian Viziondanz said "possibly".

Brian Viziondanz remaindered EH that they should treat people nicely when it is time to leave.

SACRED SOAPBOX
This will be in the same place, as in 2006. With the new location of the peace steward carpet there will be an integrated 'plan' with the 'gathering area', peace steward carpet & 'Gathering Area'.

KING'S DRUMMERS
Lionel confirmed that this will go ahead the same as last year & issued details of the King's Drummers as a hand-out for everyone. Brian (EH) confirmed that there will be a longer rope than last year which will give a larger area of the King's Drummers & their dancers.

Lionel confirmed that the drums always finish before 'first light' & that the purpose of the drums is to take people through the 'darkest part of the night.

Peter (EH) suggested that Brian (EH) works out how many peace stewards are needed to assist with EH Stewards so they can be 'drummed up' (groans of laughter at the pun!)

HARI KRISHNA PROCESSION?
Peter (EH) said that he had heard of a Kari Krishna procession just before the Summer Solstice, over a period of days, which would apparently be ending at Stonehenge. Peter (EH) asked if anyone knows anything about it, which no one did. Therefore they will be contacted in relation to this. Shamus reported though, that he had been in contract with the Hari Krishnas who would again be offering free vegetarian food in Car Park after Sunrise.

PEACE STEWARDS
Roy reported that so far there were 13 to 14 'confirmed' Peace Stewards although there were a few more 'possibles' so that we have some way to go to reach our 'limit' of thirty Peace Stewards. Roy & Catherine collected & confirmed contact details, in particular mobile phone numbers for those Peace Stewards at the RT Meeting.

Catherine confirmed that the Peace Steward Badge Design would be the same as previous years, other than having '2007' as part of the design. She confirmed that a copy of the 2007 badge would be sent to Finola (EH) so that the EH Stewards & Security Officers could be reminded/made aware of it & the role of the Peace Stewards.

Catherine asked if anyone minded the Peace Steward Badges being Fluorescent Pink this year as when she started to produce the badges she had bought a pack of 'Assorted Colour' Fluorescent Sheets & as previous years have all used Yellow, it would save her expense if she could not use the pink sheets. No one minded. As in previous years Catherine will laminate these badges on her own machine at home for use by all the peace stewards.

Brian Viziondanz recommended that Catherine & Roy should produce a sheet with all Peace Stewards mobile phone numbers listed in large font (to read more easily in low light) & that each Peace Steward should be given a copy of this. He further suggested that Catherine should laminate all of them in case it rained.

Mark suggested that as many Peace Stewards as possible should bring "Mini-Mag Light" Torches with them.

PEACE STEWARD/EH SECURITY COMMUNICATION
Roy reported that he & Tim (as the two Peace Stewards with EH Radios) didn't feel that the Peace Stewards were kept that up to date from the main EH Communications Centre. He suggested that if Peace Stewards are to be more effective then the Peace Stewards who have the radios linked to the main EH Security Communication Centre (Nick & Duncan) should be kept more up to date.

PEACE STEWARDS KEEPING ON CONTACT
Brian Viziondanz suggested that mobile phones should be used for the Peace Stewards to keep in touch. Any 'problems' can be 'passed to all' via text messages. Brian Viziondanz therefore suggested that all Peace Stewards should check their phones every 15 minutes during the 11 & a half hour MOA, to see if anyone has sent a message.

WHAT TO DO IF ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR IS ENCOUNTERED
Brian Viziondanz suggested that if anyone sees 'anti-social behaviour' the people doing it should be identified & 'shamed' by shining torches at them to 'point them out' to all around.

Rollo said that there should be better 'back-up' for the people helping as druid/pagan stewards & in ceremony. He reported that Tony from the Dolmans had a group of people known to the Druids willing to assist as stewards. They have their own radios & help co-ordinate the druidic people.

Peter (EH) said that we need to be careful that there aren't too many groups of 'stewards', otherwise it could get to complex.

Catherine was suggested that the best option would be for a number of the Dolman Group to become Peace Stewards & if they encountered any 'problems' these should be reported either to EH Security or the Peace Stewards so that those with EH Radios (Roy & Tim) can radio this through. Rollo agreed that this was fine.

Peter (EH) stated that it would be preferred if they did not bring their own radios due to possible interference with frequencies already in use, particularly Fire, Ambulance & EH's own Radios.

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ORANGE & YELLOW JACKETS
Brian Viziondanz asked about the difference between 'Orange' & 'Yellow' Jackets & it was confirmed that the EH Stewards that assists with left luggage etc have orange jackets. They have great regard for conservation as they are all EH Employees.

Brian Viziondanz asked "what about the £6 an hour stewards?" & was told that they are all trained & answerable to EH.

CATERING
There will be three catering 'units' in the Monument Field (at the solstice car park end as in previous years). There will also be three catering 'units' in the Car Park field. These will cover a range of food types.

Monument Field:
1) Multi-Purpose: Burgers/chips/etc.
2) Vegetarian/Vegan
3) Coffee/Tea/Pies/Pasties/Pasties etc

Car Park Field:
1) Multi-purpose
2) Kebab/Vegetarian
3) Crepes (sweet & Savoury)

Brian Viziondanz asked about the unit in the car park field which will offer both Kebabs & Vegetarian food to ensure that there would be no 'cross contamination' between the meat side of the unit & the vegetarian part. Peter (EH) confirmed that as a professional organisation the company handling the catering were aware of this & there would be no such 'cross contamination' by the use of anything to do with the 'meat side' being used for the vegetarian food.

Brian Viziondanz asked about the Plates & Cups. Peter (EH) confirmed that the caterers had confirmed they would not be using polystyrene at all & that there would be a focus on using recyclable cups/plates.

Brian Viziondanz & Roy asked about paper plates as last year these were too floppy. Peter (EH) said that the caterers had been told that they must serve food on substantial plates or other suitable containers. Brian Viziondanz suggested that proper plates could be used which could be handed back, although this was not practical as many people commented.

Brian Viziondanz asked if he can have Peter (EH)'s assurance that the caterers will not be using floppy plates. Peter (EH) said that if the caterers did he would be 'having words with them.

Susanna – said that as the MOA 2007 catering is being handled by the caterers who are contracted to provide all the catering for Stonehenge then they have a lot more to lose by not fulfilling their promises than caterers in the past.

CONDITIONS OF ENTRY
The COE are now on the EH Stonehenge Web Site in pdf format & Peter (EH) stated that there should be a link from the main EH Web Site page too. Peter (EH) asked for everyone to promote them on their own sites.
Click Here to go to the MOA Conditions of Entry (opens in a new window).

COE LEAFLETS
The leaflet is A4 sized (rather than the A5 size which was proposed at the last meeting as this allows the text to be larger). There is a Map on the reverse of the COE. We were all given a copy of the COE leaflet. The Leaflet text & images will also be reproduced as Information Signs (expected to be 3' x 5' - 900 mm x 1500 mm).

Catherine said that she loved leaflet & signs & suggested that there should be 8 separate signs for the 'bullet points' which people could read as they walk along. Peter (EH) said that although this was a good idea this would not be possible for 2007.

ILLUMINATION OF THE MONUMENT FIELD
Rollo asked about the colour of the filters for the lighting in the Monument Field as last year's blue was very harsh & 'cold' which others including Fee agreed with. Brian (EH) said that filters were no longer used & that it is the gas in the bulbs that decides the colour. Rollo requested that they don't use the same blue as last year & suggested pink. Peter (EH) & Brian (EH) said they would trial pink to see how it goes. Fee suggested having a lighting tower of each colour, although others including Tim thought that these would merge to white & make the site even lighter than it was in 2006 with the blue bulbs.

WASTE MANAGEMENT
Salisbury Council will not collect 'landfill refuge' so this will be put into skips which will be located as much as possible not to be too noticeable to Solstice Visitors. The focus will be to recycle as much as possible & the company handling the recyclable waste will be emptying the recycle bins regularly.

BUS SERVICES
Wilts & Dorset are once again putting on the Special Buses & for the third year in a row that they have kept the same price. £7 return & £5 single & they can be used on the standard service if people miss the last special bus. The Special Bus Service starts at 8:00 pm from Salisbury – arriving around 8:30 pm at Stonehenge. These busses will leave Salisbury until 1.15 am.

The Special Busses will start to run back from Stonehenge to Salisbury at 5.15 & will continue to run until 9.45pm. Bus times & a link to the Wilts & Dorset web site are included in the EH COE.
Click Here to go to the Wilts & Dorset Bus Timetable (opens in a new window).

NEW SEVEN WONDERS
There were various discussions about promoting the New Seven Wonders Vote which would include the National Media, reported Debbie Holden (EH Corporate communications) & it would be included in the 'Media Pack' issued to all forms of National & Local Media. Everyone at the RT was asked to promote it if they were interviewed during the MOA as well as include it on their own web sites. Susanna suggested that part of the Sunset & other Ceremonies should include a 'push' for the New 7 Wonders.

Roy & Brian Viziondanz suggested that a web site link for New Seven Wonders poll should be included on the COE Leaflet. Fee asked if Peter (EH) or anyone knew what had happened to the TV Series about the New 7 Wonders which was talked about by the promoter in October 2006. It was agreed that the New Seven Wonders Team appeared to have run into difficulty getting this aired as they planned.

AVEBURY
It was reported that the Height barrier was in place for Beltane, so it remains to be seen if it will be there all the time or only for sacred days. Peter (EH) said that he had heard the barrier is now a permanent fixture. Mark stated that he had been advised that World Heritage status is now based on religious significance as well as historical importance. However, this is a 'New' thing & the spiritual significance was not taken into account at the time that Avebury & Stonehenge were awarded World Heritage Status. Peter (EH) agreed that these should be considered & that we have to 'watch this space' as to where the situation of the height restriction to the car park at Avebury goes. Mark brought up the important point that he cannot take a 'car' & tent as he cannot afford two vehicles & only has a camper van 'on the road'.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

BELTANE AT WESTMINSTER
Susanna reported on this Historic Event (which happened on Sunday 29th April, 2007) & stated that there were around sixty people present including Drummers, instruments including Drums, horns, staffs & banners. She reported that it was viewed as an Ethnic Gathering & all concerned including The Yeoman Usher of Parliament whose permission had been sought were very happy with how it went. There were no complaints other than one person who was overheard to say “May God Save Your Souls”. She concluded that it was a Triumph.

THE ROUNDNESS OF THE ROUND TABLE
Brian Viziondanz said that he did not consider it to be a "Round Table". He used the term 'we' to which he was told by Susanna, Tim, Fee etc “please don't say 'we' as you don't speak for us”. Peter (EH) cited the leaflet as an example as the amount of input from the 'we' had been accepted by EH & he said that he tries to take on board as much as possible. Others on the RT agreed & felt that with the illuminated Gathering Area & the COE Leaflet & signs steps were being made.

NEXT ROUND TABLE
The next meeting will be on Wednesday 6th June, when members of the various 'Official Interested Parties' such as the Fire Brigade will be at this meeting to finalise the plans for MOA 2007.

Love, Light & Peace
Fee

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