Of course , for those who actually managed the site, it was just the opposite- they saw the festival attendees as a nuisance , despoilers of the monument (which undoubtedly, some of the less responsible members were ) and they opposed their presence almost from the outset. This however did not became a major problem until the 1980s, when the festival began to burgeon in size. reaching its peak of 30.000 in 1984 . In 1985 the festival was banned by the loathsome Thatcher goverment and excessively heavy tactics took place on the road to the stones . This was mostly instigated by the police and violently inflicted on those who were travelling to attend the festival , resulting in the infamous " Battle of The Beanfield ".

   A good account of the busting and violent trashing of the 1985 travellers convoy enroute to Stonehenge can be found here as well as a detailed account of how the Thatcher government attempted to supress the traveller movement in the 1980s . More links to other sites can be found by browsing Chronology which now covers the festival from 1972-85

Lucy Lepchani sent me this piece which typifies the mystical beliefs and fervour of the hard core freaks who attended the Henge .

Anarchy, and it worked. A living model of our deepest, collective, most radical ideals in action- as give-and-it-comes-back-threefold, the power of creativity, and joy in simply celebrating our human capacity to enjoy, were the pillars of our temporary civilisation.

Although it is more honest to describe the numinous dynamics of Stonehenge Free Festival in poetic, esoteric language, it won't convey the magic appropriately. Instead, consider within your minds eye, an assembly of people going about their laid-back, daily business- and increasing in numbers daily, and each with their will focussed on the intention to celebrate summer at it's zenith- to create a living environment without a hierarchy- to create that as a space where art, music, costume, flavour, conversation, ideas, surprise, relationship and joy underlied both daily routines and human rights- to honour traditions and ancestors we remembered in our psyches and imaginations, rather than via establishment history and dictates- to manifest at least some of the emerging ideaologies and practical skills that belonged both to those ancestors, and the emergent nature-oriented, ecological zeitgeist.

Amongst the manifest equality and the sensuality there was a sense both of ownership and belonging, that gave vision to those of us who were young, and hope and just and juicy reward for those who were pioneers of the festival, and other festivals, and any freedom-oriented movement for and by the people. If you are reading this with the wounds of propaganda about drugs and debauchery blocking your vision, remember- that actually, these things happen everywhere, and, if they happen in an environment such as Stonehenge near the solstice, people are much more likely to make empowered, benevolent, creative decisions and to carry them through with this energy.

Such fun and love and strength and laughter and exploration and friends old and new and exchange of ideas and art and rhythm and initiation and co-operation as are beyond words. Men and women and children and youth- all colours and ages.And the sun came up over the stones as if it were, as it is, the meaning of life.

Chaos reigned as townies came out for the solstice, and coachloads of city tourists, alien to our wide-awake eyes with their litter-dropping, alcohol puking, grubby minds and groping paws. There was never enough firewood for miles, and woodland got damaged by people who knew nothing about green wood not burning- the toilet facilities were a disgrace upon the local authority. Litter got left, although dozens stayed behind afterwards and cleared tons. When the show was over...

Could it happen again? Are too many people too far from love, trust and freedom to recreate it anywhere near as well? Or could we do it better - learn from our mistakes? The answers, I believe, are the secrets of our ancestors - ours if we seek them out in all the ancient sacred places, and realise them.

Lucy Lepchani

   

The encampment 1980, indicates the extent to which the festival had grown compared to the early years © Bodge