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Summer solstice draws thousands to Stonehenge | Summer solstice draws thousands to Stonehenge |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Thousands of people have gathered at Stonehenge for the sunrise on the longest day of the year. | Thousands of people have gathered at Stonehenge for the sunrise on the longest day of the year. |
Spectators were joined by pagans and druids at the ancient monument in Wiltshire, but the dense cloud cover meant the sun remained hidden. | Spectators were joined by pagans and druids at the ancient monument in Wiltshire, but the dense cloud cover meant the sun remained hidden. |
Police, who estimated 21,000 people attended, targeted the crowds with sniffer dogs and took 22 people into custody for drugs-related offences. | Police, who estimated 21,000 people attended, targeted the crowds with sniffer dogs and took 22 people into custody for drugs-related offences. |
The solstice has had spiritual significance for thousands of years. | The solstice has had spiritual significance for thousands of years. |
The word itself means a stopping or standing still of the sun. | The word itself means a stopping or standing still of the sun. |
Cannabis warnings | Cannabis warnings |
A crowd had gathered to spend the night near the giant stones, with police reporting 2,000 people on site by 21:30 BST on Thursday. | A crowd had gathered to spend the night near the giant stones, with police reporting 2,000 people on site by 21:30 BST on Thursday. |
The sun then rose at 04:52 on the longest day of the year. | The sun then rose at 04:52 on the longest day of the year. |
Supt Matt Pullen, from Wiltshire Police, said: "The majority of people respected the conditions of entry and the amnesty bins provided were used. | Supt Matt Pullen, from Wiltshire Police, said: "The majority of people respected the conditions of entry and the amnesty bins provided were used. |
"Approximately 70 cannabis street warnings were issued. As with previous years, the passive drugs dogs proved very effective." | "Approximately 70 cannabis street warnings were issued. As with previous years, the passive drugs dogs proved very effective." |
Twenty-two miles away (35km) at Avebury, where there are three stone circles, the crowd peaked at some 500 people. | |
BBC Radio Wiltshire reporter Rachel Royce said: "There are some very serious druids here in their long cloaks, taking it very solemnly. There are also some party-goers, and ordinary visitors who love the atmosphere. | BBC Radio Wiltshire reporter Rachel Royce said: "There are some very serious druids here in their long cloaks, taking it very solemnly. There are also some party-goers, and ordinary visitors who love the atmosphere. |
"It really is a very peaceful and nice event." | "It really is a very peaceful and nice event." |