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Stonehenge litterbugs
THEY'RE a mucky lot, these summer-solstice worshipping folks, aren't they?
And I always thought druids were peaceful, tree-hugging sorts who respected the earth.
Actually, perhaps I am being a little unfair here since the majority of the 35,000 plus revellers who descended on the famous stone circle at Salisbury Plain to witness the summer solstice were not, in fact, druids.
Whatever, druids or no, they were a filthy bunch, leaving the place completely litter strewn as they departed.
I have been to Stonehenge once and, to be completely honest, can remember little about it. Suffice to say, it is a bunch of big rocks that someone (and no one seems to agree who) placed there centuries ago.
Okay, so perhaps I deserve to be lashed to these very stones and offered up as a human sacrifice to the greater beings of the heavens for my lack of respect and sensitivity for this magical place.
I just think there are other so-called tourist attractions I would prefer to visit – Chatsworth House, perhaps?
An estimated record flocked to Stonehenge at the weekend apparently in order to take part in the early-morning celebrations.
Obviously, concern for the environment and the poor folks who live around Salisbury Plain were not high on the list of concerns for these visitors, since thousands came by car, causing roads in the area to become gridlocked in the hours leading up to the sunrise (officially documented at 4.58am) and then their vehicles packed temporary parking areas.
They then proceeded to stay up all night chanting, dancing and drinking – and for some, taking illegal drugs.
Many camped in nearby fields and despite alcohol restrictions (four bottles of beer or one bottle of wine per capita) there were still incidents of public disorder and police made 37 arrests.
Normally Stonehenge is a solitary place but at the weekend it looked like a battlefield, a sight more akin to the scenes at Glastonbury, which I can't help feeling is a bit of a shame.
The state of the ancient stone landmark once all the revellers had departed was jaw-droppingly shocking. The ground was strewn with bottles, cans, discarded food wrappers, plastic bags, you name it.
It looked more like a landfill site than an English heritage centre and English Heritage themselves, who manage the site, must have felt like weeping.
How can any self-respecting, mature adult (supposedly with a respect for history and heritage) have thought that leaving the area in such a condition was remotely acceptable?
Places like Stonehenge are there to be shared and enjoyed. But surely this has to be in return for a modicum of respect?
These litterbugs need to be taught a lesson and the powers-that-be should decree that the sun has set for the last time on the Stonehenge summer solstice celebrations.
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Weather for Halifax
Saturday 11 February 2012
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