Vinci has secured the contract to build a visitor centre at Stonehenge in Wiltshire.

The scheme will see the existing visitor centre and car parking removed, and new exhibition and education facilities built at Airman’s Corner, about 1.5 miles west of the Stones.

Preparation work has begun ahead of building with pre-construction tests being carried out to allow work on the centre to begin next month.

The tests aim to see if a ground water source can provide sufficient drinking water and energy for a year-round heating/cooling system for the centre.

A low-energy transit system is also planned to take people between the visitor centre and a drop-off close to the monument.

The £15m job also includes road improvements and a new coach and car park at the world heritage site.

The visitor centre has been designed as two pods, one that will be glazed and one timber-clad.

More details: http://www.constructionenquirer.com

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Stonehenge a 'symbol of unification' at centre of Ancient Britain

Stonehenge was the centre of ancient Britain, according to a study which claims the monument symbolised the unification of eastern and western communities

Stonehenge was probably at the centre of the world for prehistoric Brits, archaeologists believe

Stonehenge was probably at the centre of the world for prehistoric Brits, archaeologists believe

Centuries of speculation have attributed countless functions to the famous Wiltshire landmark, describing it variously as a prehistoric observatory, a place of healing and a temple for ritual sacrifice.

But a new study by researchers from five British universities suggests Stonehenge may in fact have been built as a sign of peace between people from the east and west of the country after a period of conflict.
The stones, which come from different locations as far afield as southern England and west Wales, may have been used to represent the ancestors of some of Britain's earliest farming communities, researchers suggest.
Prof Mike Parker Pearson, of Sheffield University, said during Stonehenge's main period of construction from 3,000 to 2,500 BC there was a "growing island-wide culture" developin in Britain.

He added: "Stonehenge itself was a massive undertaking, requiring the labour of thousands to move stones from as far away as west Wales, shaping them and erecting them. Just the work itself, requiring everyone literally to pull together, would have been an act of unification."

The Stonehenge Riverside Project, which also included the universities of Manchester, Southampton, Bournemouth and UCL, suggests that the Stonehenge site may have been a place of special significance before the monument was built.
The solstice-aligned avenue between the stones sits on a series of natural landforms which mark out the midsummer sunrise and midwinter sunset, suggesting people may have seen the spot as the "centre of the world", prof Parker Pearson said.

By Nick Collins, Science Correspondent (Telegraph)

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Stonehenge revellers mark summer solstice

Thousands of people have gathered at Stonehenge to celebrate the summer solstice despite overcast skies.


Cloud cover meant pagans and druids were unable to witness the sunrise on the longest day of the year.
Wiltshire Police said despite the rain it had been a "positive experience" for most revellers.
Officers made 34 arrests for theft, drugs or alcohol-related offences and more than 100 people received cautions for cannabis use or possession.
A further three people were arrested at the stone circles at Avebury, which is about 22 miles (37km) away from Stonehenge.
A spokeswoman said: "As with every year, sadly there was a small minority who were determined to disregard the law. These people were dealt with robustly."

BBC reporter Will Walder said thousands of people had braved the overnight rain to gather at Stonehenge.

"It was wet, misty and muddy but there was an atmosphere that something really special was about to happen.

"People were whistling and cheering and then falling silent before starting again.

"Tambourines and drums were being played but then at 4:52 am people were looking from left to right to try to see the sun and had to resort to watches and mobile phones to mark the moment," he added.

One of the revellers, Dave, said he had been on site since 22:00 BST on Wednesday with his friends.

He said it was the first time he had been to Stonehenge.

"I'm really wet and I'm soaked to the bone but its magical - it's lovely."

English Heritage said the heavy overnight rain meant it was one of the lowest attendances in recent years.

"However the rain did stop in time for the sunrise ceremonies and although clouds obscured the sun, loud cheers and applause rang out amongst the ancient stones," a spokesman said.

"There was torrential rain at some points during the evening, but it stopped and although it was cloudy, it didn't rain for sunrise.

"It has been the wettest and dare I say the muddiest in recent years."

A 22ft (6.7m) figure, called Ancestor, was moved to the stones ahead of the solstice celebrations.

The seven tonne steel statue depicts a man with his "head thrown back and arms open wide".

After the solstice it will be dismantled and taken to Salisbury for the Olympic torch event.

As with previous years, there were amnesty bins available outside the event and drugs dogs were at both Stonehenge and Avebury.

Entry to the monument in Wiltshire will be closed until 09:00 BST on Friday.

Full story: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-wiltshire-18519636

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