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Winter solstice celebrated at Stonehenge Stonehenge crowds gather to mark winter solstice
(about 1 hour later)
Some 5,000 people have gathered at Stonehenge to mark the winter solstice. More than 5,000 people have gathered to mark the winter solstice at Stonehenge.
More revellers than usual were predicted to congregate at Salisbury Plain as the date coincides with the end of the 5,125-year "long count" cycle of the Mayan calendar. The attendance was equivalent to five times the number that turned out at Salisbury Plain for last year's event.
More people had been predicted to congregate, as the date coincides with the end of the 5,125-year "long count" cycle of the Mayan calendar.
Druids and pagans are among those who head to Stonehenge each December to watch the sunrise on the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.Druids and pagans are among those who head to Stonehenge each December to watch the sunrise on the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
Druid leader King Arthur Pendragon is leading the celebrations. 'Absolutely packed'
He said he would be making a "political statement" which he hoped would be heard around the world. Wiltshire Police said "well over" 5,000 people had gathered to watch the sunrise over the giant stones at 08:05 GMT.
'Stay together' The force said one person was arrested for being drunk and disorderly, and given a fixed penalty notice.
"I will be asking for an end to war, an end to economic slavery and, basically, a cleaner, greener planet." BBC Radio Wiltshire reporter Annie Weston, at the scene, said: "This is the only time when people are allowed into the circle of stones.
BBC Radio Wiltshire reporter Annie Weston said: "This is the only time when people are allowed into the circle of stones.
"It is absolutely packed. People are cheering and chanting and everybody was looking towards the sun for that special moment."It is absolutely packed. People are cheering and chanting and everybody was looking towards the sun for that special moment.
"There are flags flying, druids here too and people of various religions and faiths.""There are flags flying, druids here too and people of various religions and faiths."
She spoke with Shelby, from Honolulu in Hawaii, who said it was "the perfect day". She spoke with Shelby McCabe, from Honolulu in Hawaii, who said it was "the perfect day".
"All my friends are very jealous that I am here. They would love to be here. They told me to take 1,000 photos which I think I've done," she said."All my friends are very jealous that I am here. They would love to be here. They told me to take 1,000 photos which I think I've done," she said.
Donna Nickleson, from Swindon, woke up at 03:00 GMT to get to the stones on time. Donna Nicholson, from Swindon, woke up at 03:00 GMT to get to the stones on time.
She said it was "exciting" to be there for the "new birth of a new era".She said it was "exciting" to be there for the "new birth of a new era".
Axial tilt
This year's solstice date also marks the conclusion of the long count cycle of the Mayan calendar, which some people believe indicates the end of the world.This year's solstice date also marks the conclusion of the long count cycle of the Mayan calendar, which some people believe indicates the end of the world.
Although the exact time of the solstice this year - when the Earth's axial tilt is farthest away from the sun - is at 11:11 GMT, English Heritage will be providing access to the stones earlier in the morning.Although the exact time of the solstice this year - when the Earth's axial tilt is farthest away from the sun - is at 11:11 GMT, English Heritage will be providing access to the stones earlier in the morning.
The National Trust asked people who do not normally visit for the solstice to be fully prepared for poor weather conditions.
General manager Jan Tomlin said: "We suggest that anybody wanting to celebrate the solstice should bring extra layers to wear, check the weather forecast before you go and, if you are visiting with friends, stay together."
Last year more than 1,000 people visited Stonehenge to mark the winter solstice.