BS: SE England: Summer Solstice Events?

Subject: BS: SE England: Summer Solstice Events?
From: TheSilentOne
Date: 25 May 09 - 01:23 PM

With the solstice falling on a weekend this year, we are hoping to see in the sunrise somewhere not too far from Chelmsford - maybe an hour's travel time or less. Is anyone aware of any (dis)"organised" events or suitable locations? We have done it at the Rollrights twice before, but that's a little far.

Subject: RE: BS: SE England: Summer Solstice Events?
From: Crow Sister (off with the fairies)
Date: 25 May 09 - 01:56 PM

Aren't you gonna be at Knockholt?

Subject: RE: BS: SE England: Summer Solstice Events?
From: TheSilentOne
Date: 25 May 09 - 02:11 PM

Ooops!! - it wasn't on our calendar, but yes we are!! :)

Subject: RE: BS: SE England: Summer Solstice Events?
From: TheSilentOne
Date: 25 May 09 - 02:15 PM

Well, I'm still interested to hear what else might be going on, and where people celebrate.

Subject: RE: BS: SE England: Summer Solstice Events?
From: Crow Sister (off with the fairies)
Date: 25 May 09 - 02:17 PM

Me too :)

Subject: RE: BS: SE England: Summer Solstice Events?
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 25 May 09 - 02:19 PM

I dunno! Ya talk and talk at these husbands and still they forget to update the calendar. What's a scold to do?

Subject: RE: BS: SE England: Summer Solstice Events?
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 25 May 09 - 02:38 PM

There is a witches coven that turns up on the top of Bluebell Hill every mayday dawn - and mingles with the morrissers, but what they do the rest of the year I have no idea. They must be based somewhere in South East London or Kent.

The scold could of course reduce the distraction, by scolding less (just a thought).

Subject: RE: BS: SE England: Summer Solstice Events?
From: Crow Sister (off with the fairies)
Date: 25 May 09 - 02:53 PM

As far as good *locations* are concerned (as opposed to *events* - don't know about those) for the Sunrise, I'd possibly choose one of the less commercial East Coast towns like Frinton on the Naze, or Holland on Sea and watch the Sun first ray's first hitting England, literally breaking into day, over the waters horizon.

Otherwise, the Iron-Age fort at Wandlebury is a place of interest and history in Cambridge. While not dramatic, has a real 'feel' to it (IMO) - an hours drive. I believe there are sunrise Morris on May Day here.

The hill at Wormingford also has something strangely atmospheric about it and a good spot to catch dawn breaking - chilly though. Here be Dragons! It's supposed to be coiled around the hill...

Subject: RE: BS: SE England: Summer Solstice Events?
From: The Barden of England
Date: 25 May 09 - 03:24 PM

Kits Coty Stones on Bluebell Hill just north of Maidstone often get visited for the summer solstice. I'm going to be at Knockholt for sure.
John Barden

Subject: RE: BS: SE England: Summer Solstice Events?
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 25 May 09 - 03:34 PM

RB - Duh!

CA - Wormingford sounds good and doable in other years when we have to go to work.

Well a pagan ritual at dawn will be out of the question at Knockholt unless we just see out the night with drink and song.

Subject: RE: BS: SE England: Summer Solstice Events?
From: Crow Sister (off with the fairies)
Date: 25 May 09 - 03:54 PM

It's great staying up singing and dancing until dawn - then crashing till afternoon. You're probably supposed to have an orgy or something then, though I'm usually too far in love with my cosy sleeping bag for all that Wicker Man Pagan fertility ritual stuff..

Subject: RE: BS: SE England: Summer Solstice Events?
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 25 May 09 - 04:51 PM

Sadly, Edward Woodward is not available. I checked. TheSilentOne is waiting on an answer from Britt Eckland.

Does anybody know Christopher Lee?

Subject: RE: BS: SE England: Summer Solstice Events?
From: Crow Sister (off with the fairies)
Date: 25 May 09 - 05:58 PM

PS. BS might not be the best place for this thread? Maybe ask Mods to redesignate it as 'Folklore', and thus above (where more English folklorists reside) the line?

Subject: RE: BS: SE England: Summer Solstice Events?
From: TheSilentOne
Date: 28 May 09 - 02:43 PM

You're probably right Crow Sister - but I am just going to bump this thread and see if that sparks any other contributions.