ROUND TABLE MINUTES
WEDNESDAY 6th JUNE 2007

Salisbury,
Wiltshire,
England, UK



Key:
EH
RT
MOA
COE
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English Heritage
Round Table
Managed Open Access at Stonehenge
Conditions of Entry

CONDITIONS OF ENTRY
We were all given a copy of this year's COE. Scans are available here which can be printed out. Side 1: Information :: Side 2: Site Map showing the locations of Food, Toilets, Gathering Area, Sacred Soap Box, Fire Braziers, First Aid etc.


THE MEDIA
Rebecca (EH) reported that the 'Media Packs' were going out the same day as the RT Meeting.
In addition to the usual information, this year the EH 'Media Pack' also 'flagged up' the New 7 Wonders Worldwide Poll.

Included in the EH 'Media Pack' is the New 7 Wonders own Press release. Rebecca (EH) said that the New 7 Wonders is something which EH really want to 'flag up', especially given the amount of media interest & coverage the Summer Solstice at Stonehenge generates each year. The inclusion of the New 7 Wonders information is likely to be of interest to journalists looking for a 'new angle'.

The EH 'Media caravan' will be in its usual place in the Monument Field, along with the Government News Network (GNN). Both before the Summer Solstice & during the MOA EH's own representatives will mention the New 7 Wonders Poll & everyone else who is interviewed by the media were asked to do the same.

Rebecca (EH) asked that on the night, those organising activities to pass on information of what was happening to EH Media Liaison in the EH Media Caravan. Rollo & Susanna agreed to do this. King Arthur asked that EH Media Liaison tell journalists that there will be ceremonies all over the site at various times.

LOCAL MEDIA
Mark said he'd like a special emphasis sent to all the local media for them to promote the opening of the stones earlier & the Sunset Ceremony to encourage families. Rebecca (EH Media) agreed that should be done. In addition Peter (EH) who will be giving a number of local media interviews in the run-up to the Summer Solstice said that he would include this aspect in these interviews.


NEW 7 WONDERS
Please Click Here for three Very Recent TV News Pieces on Stonehenge.
Catherine commented that although the New 7 Wonders had been mentioned in recent news reports, at no point did the reporters say that viewers can vote for Stonehenge to be one of the New 7 Wonders! Roy agreed that even on the news coverage there wasn't any 'push' by the reporters for everyone to vote.

Rebecca (EH) said that she will ensure that the New 7 Wonders Poll & that people can vote for Stonehenge has been & will continue to be included in all EH Media communications.

Brian Viziondanz said that it was important to point out that the poll has a deadline. Peter (EH) assured Brian Viziondanz that this was already being done. Brian Viziondanz also suggested that the direct link to the New 7 Wonders Stonehenge page should be added to the Main EH Stonehenge Web Site Page.

One thing which had brought the New 7 Wonders poll to peoples' attention was the rumour that the Brazilian Football team were going to put up a huge banner advertising their wonder – at Wembley. However, on the day the banner only promoted the New 7 Wonders in general & did not promote only the Brazilian one. Frank has done much 'behind the scenes' work regarding this & reported that many of the countries with an entry in the New 7 Wonders poll are getting massive government support. Unfortunately Stonehenge as the sole UK Entry is not!

Peter (EH) asked if RT Members had any 'key points' which we felt should be used when promoting Stonehenge. Rollo said that he felt a 'key feature' was the fact that it was "A Living Temple".

FURTHER NEW 7 WONDERS PROMOTION

1) Photo Call
To promote the New 7 Wonders there will be a 'Media Event', towards the end of June (after the MOA publicity). This will include Drummers, with the possible headline "Drumming up support for Stonehenge".

2) Julian Richard Book Launch
In addition, Julian Richards has a new book about Stonehenge which is to be published on 3rd July (three days before the polls for the New 7 Wonders close on the 6th July). Julian has been asked by EH to mention New 7 Wonders Poll in all interviews he does about the book prior to the books publication.

Brian Viziondanz thanked Peter (EH) for listening to the input from the RT.


PATHWAY
The Pathway between the Car Park Field & the Monument Field is occupied with cattle at present. The pathway will be mowed & rolled prior to the MOA to make it smoother. Also the farmer has been asked for the feed to be put at the far end of the field to keep the cattle away from the pathway area. Brian Viziondanz asked about the excrement. Peter (EH) said that as the grass would be cut & rolled together with the very large size of the field he didn't feel this be much of a problem.


PEACE STEWARDS
Catherine reported that there are 17 budged up names, with a further two new applications which arrived the night before the meeting. Therefore it is expected that there will be around 20 Peace Stewards on the night. Catherine had produced the laminated badges & also the Peace Steward forms. Some Peace Stewards signed these at the meeting & returned them to Catherine. A copy of the Peace Steward Badge was given to EH. All their Stewards will be given a copy of this so that they will recognise the Peace Stewards on the night.

Catherine showed everyone the laminated lists of Peace Stewards' mobile phone number, which will be given to each Peace Steward on the night. Peter (EH) took a copy of this so that if there was a failure of the Peace Stewards' radios Peace Stewards could still be contacted.

Peace Steward Radios
As in previous years, Tim & Roy would be the two Peace Stewards who would have the radios for communication (if needed) between the Peace Stewards & EH Security.

Staff & Agency Briefing in relation to the Peace Steward

Peace Stewards Tim & Roy will attend this at 6:00 pm for 'final updates' or situations which have arisen recently. Tim & Roy can then let Peace & Magic Stewards etc know of these developments. Brian Viziondanz again suggested texting messages between all PC's. Roy – asked that someone help him set up his phone with some messages for his text phone & others if needed so that text can be sent quickly to other PC's if needed.

Roy & Catherine reported that they had been working on a letter to be sent out & that the final wording was dependant upon what was decided at the meeting.

Location of the Peace Steward Carpet
This was confirmed as being between the stones & the new 'Gathering Area'. Tim who had not been at previous meetings where this was discussed asked why the location of the Carpet had been changed. Roy explained that this was to be more co-ordinated with the Gathering area. Susanna said it is good as it will be in 'sight-line' with the 'Gathering Area'. Peter suggested putting the Peace Steward carpet between the braziers which was agreed.

Peace Steward Meetings
The First Meeting: will be at 8:00 pm 30 minutes before the opening of the car park field gates. As in previous years this meeting will take place outside the welfare tent at the top of the car park field.

The Second Meeting: will be at 11:30 pm on the Peace Stewards' carpet. Anyone missing the first meeting can visit the Peace Stewards' carpet any time up to this second meeting to collect their badge.

Magic Stewards
Around 80-90 will spend time around the stones, the gathering area & where ever needed. They will do two hours shifts to relieve the pressure of management of the gathering area & other ceremonial areas.


CELEBRATIONS DURING THE MOA

1) Sunset Ceremony
Rollo reported that the Ceremony for sunrise starts around 30 minutes before sunrise, but that the Ceremony for the Sunset can be longer. So everyone will make their way to the Circle when the gates open. After the sunset there will be a 'move' to the Gathering Area, depends on what people want inside the stones.

Musicians, bards & others can then perform at the 'Gathering Area', but then will hopefully move to other areas to perform again, including the Sacred soap box for example.

2) Gathering Area
Rollo hopes that the 'Gathering Area' will attract people so that they will know that it is a gathering. Peter (EH) said that if things were happening this would attract people. Brian (EH) also commented that as it was illuminated & near to the food outlets this would also attract people. The 'Gathering Area' is marked on the map on the reverse of the COE. Roy – let's just hope it doesn't rain. Susanna – we can deal with that :-) For further information on the 'Gathering Area' please see the RT Minutes for April & May 2007.

3) The Sacred Soapbox
This is also marked on the map on the reverse of the COE. Shamus checked that it was OK to bring battery operated torches in with the soapbox & Brian (EH) confirmed that this was fine.

4) King's Drummers
Lionel confirmed that everything organised. They will arrive & form up at the tunnel entrance in the Monument field with the aim to move off between 2:00 am & 2:30 am. The procession will take up position near the Heelstone & drum for 30 – 45 minutes. They will end the drumming well before the sky starts to get light, well before sunrise. Again, for further information please see the May 2007 RT Minutes. 5) Crystal Bowls
Their rep couldn't make the meeting. However, Arthur had liaised with them & they will play outside the stones & will play, but then stop (for a rest) if there is a ceremony being performed nearby.

6) Hari Krishna Statue
This will arrive on site around midnight by cart with a procession & will take up position near the 'Gathering Area'. Jamuna (Hari Krishna) asked about positioning & whether the Hari Krishna food location will be done in the same place as the statue. Brian (EH) said that the Hari Krishna food will be in the usual place (Car Park field) while the Hari Krishna Statue will be in the stones field.

Roy asked if there will be a performance when the statue arrives. Jamuna (Hari Krishna) said not & that it will just arrive & there will be a ceremony later. Peter (EH) suggested that Jamuna (Hari Krishna) puts Rollo in touch with those who are bringing the statue (Jamuna being the Hari Krishna food 'Rep') so they can liaise.


AMENITIES

Recycling
Put by lighting towers so can be seen, not in places where they would be obtrusive.

Toilets
In addition to the usual Portaloos EH are putting six portaloos on the south side at the back of a lighting tower so that people can be directed to them to try & stop men using the bank/ditch/fences etc. These are not on the map, but will be clearly illuminated. These will be cleaned regularly. Brian Viziondanz asked about 'hand sanitizing' & was told that the portaloos would have facilities.


EH STEWARDS
These will be the same as last year. Peter (EH) asked that “If you witness any incidents at all, can you please let us know at the time as we want everyone to have a good time, a great time.” Brian Viziondanz asked how we can identify EH Stewards. Peter said that EH Stewards can be identified.


ROAD SAFETY
We were all reminded that the A303 is lethal at any time & to keep off the roads & to cross quickly & safely.


AVEBURY
There is a provision for parking which has now been agreed. Police operation same as last year, but as last year. King Arthur said that the main problem was the Solstice Celebration at Avebury the Saturday after the MOA when they were required to clear car park at 4 pm when 6pm would be better. It was agreed to discuss this after the meeting.


FINALLY
Peter thanked all of us for our contributions in the past ten months & he thanked those organising the changes such as the ceremonies, the gathering area & the sunset ceremony. Susanna said she would like to reverse it back to EH people. She said “we have a working understanding which is great”.


NEXT ROUND TABLE
Date to be confirmed around mid-July.

Love, Light & Peace
Fee


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