Stonehenge will soon be released from its fences and clutter and re-united with its landscape. So might it be time to release it from its perceptual limits as well? It’s one of the world’s most iconic gathering places yet is barely used or known for gatherings other than for solstice and equinox. What about the rest of the year and the rest of the stakeholders? Might it be a good thing to celebrate and utilise it in lots of ways? Isn’t public engagement a good way to promote public protectiveness?
The recent Fire Garden event showed the way. “A comfortable friendly gathering” said Mike Pitts (and much else) but there are lots of other events that could be held there, quite a few each year – why not, if they were self-financing? So we’re asking for suggestions for possible events that English Heritage and the National Trust could be asked to consider. Not pop festivals (enough already!) or motorcycling and not this…..

Not events like this! Hare Coursing at Stonehenge in 1865 (Reproduced with kind permission of Stonehenge Collectables)
…. but events that aren’t necessarily connected with Stonehenge but would benefit from being held there and of course wouldn’t be harmful to it.
If you have any suggestions please let us know, bearing in mind the following basic criteria that we suspect the responsible authorities would regard as important:
Entry by ticket only (thus avoiding overcrowding and making for an easily managed event)
Tickets to cost sufficient to cover the cost of the event plus a modest profit (why not?! Why should the taxpayer pay?)
Events to take place on “slow” visitor days or times of year or after hours or when normal visiting needn’t be suspended (to ensure they don’t cause a reduction in visitor revenue)
The stones to be used as a backdrop for the gathering, not as its location and the dignity of Stonehenge not to be compromised.
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For suggestions about how Stonehenge could be used put New Ways in the search box
13 comments
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26/07/2012 at 10:19
Richard
Surely an ideal venue for events introducing the public to astronomy.
26/07/2012 at 10:27
Richard
Without the clutter, Stonehenge will make an even better subject/backdrop for artists, so art workshops/events/competitions are another obvious idea.
26/07/2012 at 10:48
heritageaction
Thanks Richard. We have made quite a list of our own and will add your suggestions to it. We might do an article listing everything or maybe do a series of articles dealing with individual ones. Both of yours have got to be viable and popular. Please keep them coming. We realised, as we started making our list, there’s a huge potential that could be tapped.
26/07/2012 at 15:16
Mudd
Kite flying at Stonehenge take it from one that has done it – wonderful!
30/07/2012 at 19:05
Fletch
Archery at Lords so why not here?
07/09/2012 at 09:25
Jes
The trading of flint axes, as many in europe do not have access to these useful tools. With our natural resources we could be a market leader.
07/09/2012 at 11:33
Psymon Fallowfield-Cooper
Maybe a festival? Obviously, and sadly not the original anarchic form that it used to take… but oh please, if only we could get back there again… for a reasonable price, not Glastonburg prices!
07/09/2012 at 11:36
Psymon Fallowfield-Cooper
Incidentally, I used to organise Cissbury Ring Free Festival back in the day… last one we held was on Bignor Hill north of Arundel…1982 I believe… bit hazy… lol
07/09/2012 at 11:39
Jes
Seriously, Stonehenge IS for festivals, and these should be popular…of and for the people. it is a place of great traditional feasting and celebration, and this should not be charged for, as the monument was given to the people by Cecil Chubb, and does not require management or protection except perhaps from those who do permanent damage such as digging concrete lined tunnels and carparking over the most sacred part of the landscape- the oldest rituAl centre in Europe. it is not best serving us as a dead tourist attraction geared towards profit …. It is ours and we should have our rights of access reinstated.
07/09/2012 at 13:49
Charles Braham
Perhaps a re-enactment fair, or the ultimate dark age living village project?
07/09/2012 at 13:57
Wango Riley
Gathering, dancing, banging drums, making noise, sitting round fires is what humans have done for thousands of years. Stop it with your fascism already, Stonehenge Free Festival should happen, and in a way that is not governed.
You have my contact details, please let me know when you’re going to stop fighting against this natural occurrence.
07/09/2012 at 18:54
Susanne Gillis
it’s a celestial clock … to mark the Winter Solstice. Let people party in the winter as it’s the darkest time of the year when we all need some cheer and to get away from the economic madness of Christmas. It’s dark and windy and cold then so let people bring some cheer and warmth. Listen to the people.
08/09/2012 at 00:31
Si Jonezy
Stonehenge Free Festival please with Wango Rileys travelling stage! Thanks x