Wednesday 11 July 2012

Welcome to The Fire Garden: Stonehenge lights up after being transformed into a 'glowing fairytale' of flame to mark London 2012

As the sun set last night, the site was illuminated with fire sculptures and candle-lit paths to mark London 2012
It became a 'glowing fairytale environment' with 'mysterious fiery engines', flaming fire pots and 'cascades of candles'
It was organised by the Salisbury International Arts Festival and created by French arts group Compagnie Carabosse
The arts group said visitors would 'pass between concentric circles of flames' and 'huge fire balls'
The event will run from 9pm to midnight until tomorrow night.


It is better known for being aligned with the rising and setting of the sun but Stonehenge has been transformed into something a lot more fiery.

As the sun set last night, the World Heritage site was illuminated with fire sculptures and candle-lit paths to mark the London 2012 Olympic Games.

The Fire Garden has transformed the ancient site into a 'glowing fairytale environment' with 'mysterious fiery engines', flaming fire pots and 'cascades of candles'

Organised by the Salisbury International Arts Festival, the Wiltshire-based attraction, which runs for three consecutive nights, has been created by French arts group Compagnie Carabosse as part of the London 2012 Festival.

Our thanks to the remarkable Compagnie Carabosse for their beautiful fire garden creations, to English Heritage, with whom we have worked for many years at Stonehenge, for their continued collaboration and to London 2012 for enabling us to bring this idea to flickering life.'

Scientists published new research last month that claimed Stonehenge was built to cement a new East West alliance between the former warring tribes of Britain as the country started to become a United Kingdom after centuries of strife some 5,000-4,500 years ago.

They rejected notions that the monument was prehistoric observatory, a sun temple, a place of healing, or a temple of the ancient druids.
Instead they said it symbolised the ancestors of the various clans inhabiting the area - early farming families - towards the end of the Stone Age, which had been marked by conflict and religious differences.
The site already had special significance for prehistoric Britons because its solstice-aligned Avenue sits upon a series of natural landforms that, by chance, form an axis between the directions of midsummer sunrise and midwinter sunset.
Stonehenge had special significance for prehistoric Britons because its solstice-aligned Avenue sits upon a series of natural landforms that, by chance, form an axis between the directions of midsummer sunrise and midwinter sunset.
The event will run from 9pm to midnight until tomorrow night.

By Matt Blake - http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2171876/London-2012-Stonehenge-transformed-glowing-fairytale-Fire-Garden.html

Stonehenge Tour Guide

Monday 2 July 2012

Stonehenge - education volunteers wanted


The English Heritage Education team are looking for volunteers to help meet and greet educational groups of all ages and nationalities at Stonehenge. All you need is enthusiasm for working with young people and good communication skills.

ROLE DESCRIPTION

Key Tasks
Meet education groups, of all ages and nationalities, arriving at Stonehenge
Provide 5-10 minute introduction  and site orientation, before teachers lead their own tour

Hours and Time Frame
Weekdays (Wed – Fri) from September to October and March to July. Shifts will last 3-4 hours, from approximately 9.30am – 1.30pm or 12.30pm – 4.30pm.   We ask for availability in advance and use a rota system.  Volunteers can choose the days which suit them best and as often as suits them.  Training and induction to take place before volunteering commences.   We are looking for volunteers to start in September 2012 with an induction day on 22nd August at our Salisbury office.

Skills and Qualities
Confidence to talk to groups of teachers and students of all nationalities
Good communication skills
An interest in Stonehenge, history or heritage
An interest in working outdoors
Ability to work as part of a team
Flexible and adaptable

Support and Training
A one-day induction
Meet and Greet talk outline and opportunities to practise your talk with other volunteers
Ad hoc, one-to-one training will be provided based on the needs of the volunteer
What English Heritage Expects from Volunteers
Maintain good working relationships with staff, other volunteers and members of the public
Attend appropriate training and learn about the work of English Heritage
Be reliable in attendance
Observe organisational policy and procedures
Protect English Heritage property from theft, damage or loss, within the limit of their responsibilities
To safeguard confidential information about English Heritage and refer any controversial matters relating to the work of English Heritage to their manager

Other Information
Volunteers may be reimbursed for travel costs between home and volunteering location
A Volunteer Pass allowing free access to English Heritage sites is available after a satisfactory period of 4 months and the completion of 60 hours of service
A certificate for your personal profile to demonstrate work carried out for English Heritage to show future employers or further education

How to apply
To register your interest see how to apply.

Link: http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/caring/get-involved/volunteering/roles-available/8352391

Stonehenge Tour Guide

Wednesday 27 June 2012

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

Stonehenge Tour Guide