I'm one of the younger arrivals on the Druid scene at Stonehenge, older Druids have made it clear to me that I lack awareness of the history that brought us to this present place and that I should learn of it.

As we move forward and consider the future of British Paganism, and within that, the ever important Druid ceremonies at Stonehenge, it is necessary for those involved now to pause and understand how we arrived at our present position and to give credit to all those involved from all sides. Especially those who made the difference.Without that effort it is probable that many of us today would not have free and open access to our sacred temple, as limited as that still is.

So here we will recall Stonehenge before the exclusion, the political environment of the time, the battle of the beanfield, the exclusion years, the campaign to free the henge, the people involved, the formation of the 'round table', and how this has evolved into a positive relationship that exists now between ourselves, the Police and English Heritage.

It would be wrong to sweep this story under the carpet and forget it, just as it would be wrong to throw away the progress that has been made since and all the potential for things to improve year on year into the future. Time has moved on, we have all moved on. So with forgiveness in mind, please remember that the Druid serves truth, and that the Bard must tell and sing of events gone before so that all may know from whence they come. Just as forgiveness and reconciliation were achieved in South Africa by all sides acknowledging the past and telling their story as part of letting go and moving forward together, that is what we must do.