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Stonehenge revellers mark summer solstice | Stonehenge revellers mark summer solstice |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Thousands of people have gathered at Stonehenge to celebrate the summer solstice despite overcast skies. | Thousands of people have gathered at Stonehenge to celebrate the summer solstice despite overcast skies. |
Cloud cover meant pagans and druids were unable to witness the sunrise on the longest day of the year. | Cloud cover meant pagans and druids were unable to witness the sunrise on the longest day of the year. |
Wiltshire Police said despite the rain it had been a "positive experience" for most revellers. | Wiltshire Police said despite the rain it had been a "positive experience" for most revellers. |
Officers made 33 arrests for theft, drugs or alcohol-related offences and more than 100 people received cautions for cannabis use or possession. | |
A spokeswoman said: "As with every year, sadly there was a small minority who were determined to disregard the law. These people were dealt with robustly." | A spokeswoman said: "As with every year, sadly there was a small minority who were determined to disregard the law. These people were dealt with robustly." |
BBC reporter Will Walder said thousands of people had braved the overnight rain to gather at Stonehenge. | BBC reporter Will Walder said thousands of people had braved the overnight rain to gather at Stonehenge. |
"It was wet, misty and muddy but there was an atmosphere that something really special was about to happen. | |
"People were whistling and cheering and then falling silent before starting again. | |
"Tambourines and drums were being played but then at 4:52 am people were looking from left to right to try to see the sun and had to resort to watches and mobile phones to mark the moment," he added. | |
One of the revellers, Dave, said he had been on site since 22:00 BST on Wednesday with his friends. | |
He said it was the first time he had been to Stonehenge. | |
"I'm really wet and I'm soaked to the bone but its magical - it's lovely." | |
English Heritage said the heavy overnight rain meant it was one of the lowest attendances in recent years. | |
"However the rain did stop in time for the sunrise ceremonies and although clouds obscured the sun, loud cheers and applause rang out amongst the ancient stones," a spokesman said. | |
"There was torrential rain at some points during the evening, but it stopped and although it was cloudy, it didn't rain for sunrise. | |
"It has been the wettest and dare I say the muddiest in recent years." | |
A 22ft (6.7m) figure, called Ancestor, was moved to the stones ahead of the solstice celebrations. | |
The seven tonne steel statue depicts a man with his "head thrown back and arms open wide". | The seven tonne steel statue depicts a man with his "head thrown back and arms open wide". |
After the solstice it will be dismantled and taken to Salisbury for the Olympic torch event. | After the solstice it will be dismantled and taken to Salisbury for the Olympic torch event. |
As with previous years, there were amnesty bins available outside the event and drugs dogs were at both Stonehenge and Avebury. | |
Entry to the monument in Wiltshire will be closed until 09:00 BST on Friday. | Entry to the monument in Wiltshire will be closed until 09:00 BST on Friday. |