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Record crowd for Solstice sunrise | Record crowd for Solstice sunrise |
(2 days later) | |
A record crowd of about 36,500 revellers has welcomed the dawn of the Summer Solstice at Stonehenge. | A record crowd of about 36,500 revellers has welcomed the dawn of the Summer Solstice at Stonehenge. |
The number of people attending the event caused roads in the area to become gridlocked in the hours leading up to sunrise at 0458 BST. | The number of people attending the event caused roads in the area to become gridlocked in the hours leading up to sunrise at 0458 BST. |
Druid ceremonies took place alongside music and Morris dancing, however overcast skies obscured the sun. | Druid ceremonies took place alongside music and Morris dancing, however overcast skies obscured the sun. |
Police praised the crowd and said there had been only 37 arrests, for minor disorder and drugs offences. | Police praised the crowd and said there had been only 37 arrests, for minor disorder and drugs offences. |
Supt Nick Ashley said: "The celebration has been peaceful and enjoyable for the majority who were present to celebrate in a safe manner. | Supt Nick Ashley said: "The celebration has been peaceful and enjoyable for the majority who were present to celebrate in a safe manner. |
"It is disappointing that a small number of people chose to ignore the conditions of entry and brought with them illegal drugs but this was dealt with effectively." | "It is disappointing that a small number of people chose to ignore the conditions of entry and brought with them illegal drugs but this was dealt with effectively." |
Police for the most part are wishing people a happy Solstice and so are the security guards Druid King Arthur Pendragon In pictures: Solstice celebrations | Police for the most part are wishing people a happy Solstice and so are the security guards Druid King Arthur Pendragon In pictures: Solstice celebrations |
The event to mark the dawn of the longest day in the Northern Hemisphere has grown in popularity since a four-mile exclusion zone around the site was lifted nine years ago. | The event to mark the dawn of the longest day in the Northern Hemisphere has grown in popularity since a four-mile exclusion zone around the site was lifted nine years ago. |
English Heritage, which manages the ancient monument, said the car park was full with 6,500 cars two hours before sunrise. | English Heritage, which manages the ancient monument, said the car park was full with 6,500 cars two hours before sunrise. |
Meanwhile the main route into Stonehenge, the A303, was closed due to volumes of traffic. | Meanwhile the main route into Stonehenge, the A303, was closed due to volumes of traffic. |
Peter Carson, head of Stonehenge, said: "We were expecting it to be busy this year, but we had ensured that it has been a peaceful and enjoyable solstice. | Peter Carson, head of Stonehenge, said: "We were expecting it to be busy this year, but we had ensured that it has been a peaceful and enjoyable solstice. |
"There has been a great atmosphere and where else would you want to be on midsummer's day?" | "There has been a great atmosphere and where else would you want to be on midsummer's day?" |
Police drafted in extra officers and said there would be a zero-tolerance approach to drugs and drunkenness, with an alcohol limit of four cans of beer or a bottle of wine per person imposed by English Heritage. | Police drafted in extra officers and said there would be a zero-tolerance approach to drugs and drunkenness, with an alcohol limit of four cans of beer or a bottle of wine per person imposed by English Heritage. |
'Jovial mood' | 'Jovial mood' |
Druid King Arthur Pendragon told the BBC shortly before sunrise: "It's a very nice atmosphere and everything's fine at the moment. | Druid King Arthur Pendragon told the BBC shortly before sunrise: "It's a very nice atmosphere and everything's fine at the moment. |
"There have been more police present this year, more security, but everything's passed off very jovially and everyone's in a good mood. | "There have been more police present this year, more security, but everything's passed off very jovially and everyone's in a good mood. |
"And the police for the most part are wishing people a happy solstice and so are the security guards." | "And the police for the most part are wishing people a happy solstice and so are the security guards." |
English Heritage had issued an advisory note to visitors which warned: "Summer Solstice is not a good time to experiment with drugs - the crowd, the noise and the sheer size of the place are likely to make any bad reaction much, much worse." | English Heritage had issued an advisory note to visitors which warned: "Summer Solstice is not a good time to experiment with drugs - the crowd, the noise and the sheer size of the place are likely to make any bad reaction much, much worse." |
Meanwhile, a limit of 200 tents was set at a field near the Avebury Ring after residents complained about the number of visitors to that site in 2008. | Meanwhile, a limit of 200 tents was set at a field near the Avebury Ring after residents complained about the number of visitors to that site in 2008. |