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Stonehenge sealed for solstice

Extra officers were brought in and new strategies implemented to prevent a repeat of the trouble that broke out early on Monday morning.

At least 200 police officers sealed off a road passing the site and guarded routes leading to the ancient stones.

About 100 pagans were allowed into a field within sight of the stones after a march from nearby Woodhenge described as a peace procession.

They held an orderly meeting in the field, watched by police.

An English Heritage spokeswoman said that apart from the pagans' orderly ceremony in the fields everything was looking "all quiet".

The organisation earlier withdrew permission from the Druids to spend the solstice at Stonehenge following clashes on Monday between police and New Age travellers.

The conservation body, which owns and looks after the 5,000-year-old monument, said that although the stones had not been damaged and no-one was injured, the situation was "too unpredictable".

A spokeswoman said: "We are disappointed we have had to disappoint them."

But some were angry at English Heritage for refusing access.

Traveller Helen Hatt said: "They have had about 15 years to get this right.

"We are very annoyed at English Heritage. It is not the first time that they have offered access in return for conditions. They have had enough time to get used to it. We are beginning to feel another regulatory body should be called in."

Councillor Tim Abbott of Wilton parish council, who was with the peace group, said: "After last night's incident the jury is out as to whether English Heritage are a fit and proper body to have responsibility of Stonehenge during this time of the solstice."

Relevant Stories

Stonehenge visits cancelled (21 Jun 99 | UK)
The day of the Druids (21 Jun 99 | UK)
Police drop Stonehenge exclusion zone (20 Jun 99 | UK)
Victory for Stonehenge protesters (04 Mar 99 | UK)

Internet Links

Mysterious Places
Wiltshire Police
English Heritage
The Stonehenge Collection

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