Free Summer Solstice Ceremony Open to Public at Spinnaker Tower Come and see a traditional pagan ceremony to welcome in the longest day of the year, providing a fantastic media spectacle! A leading Stonehenge Druid will guide a procession of Druids in their ceremonial outfits (cloaks/gowns, headdresses, antlers, etc.) as they celebrate the ancient tradition of the Summer Solstice at the top of the iconic Spinnaker Tower, with a calling of the spirits, horn-blowing, Celtic music, drumming and more! There will be a variety of excellent visual and auditory material for a rounded media package with people available for filming, photography and interviews.   This summer, the iconic Spinnaker Tower is hosting a sky high exclusive Summer Solstice ceremony happening early on the solstice morning - Friday 20 June. The pagan ceremony will take place at 7.30am on View Deck One of the spectacular 170m viewing tower and will be lead by Frank Somers, a leading Stonehenge Druid who works alongside English Heritage as a liaison for the Druids.   Summer Solstice falls on 20 June this year, a day earlier than normal, for the first time since 1896*. On this special day, there will be a core group of approximately eight Druids who are members of the Council of British Druid Orders, directly participating in the ceremony, as well as an audience of onlookers. The event will be a feast for the eyes and ears and the Spinnaker Tower is opening up the ceremony to some lucky members of the public with a limited number of places available on a first-come-first-served basis!   The ceremony will start with a procession followed by the forming a circle and calling of the spirits, and will continue with an explanation of why people celebrate this day and why the Spinnaker Tower is a special place from which to honour the celebration. There will be drumming, chanting, horn-blowing and a little Celtic music to boot!   Heather Deeley, Marketing Manager at the Spinnaker Tower, said: "Everyone knows that Stonehenge has a celebration every year but it's certainly unusual to have something available on your doorstep! It's a really exciting event because in addition to the fact that it offers the opportunity for people to witness a truly fascinating and traditional folk ceremony, the Spinnaker Tower provides an excellent venue from which to view the early morning mid-summer sun."   Frank Somers of the Dolmen Grove Druids added: "All over the world people from all backgrounds and many different religions celebrate Summer Solstice in various ways and it's great that we are able to bring what is an ancient tradition into the context of the modern world, making it accessible for all. The Spinnaker Tower is inspirational and is a place that brings us into contact with the land and sea that provides for us, and as such it continues a great tradition first begun by our ancestors of 5000 years ago."   The ceremony will last approximately 15 minutes after which there will be teas and coffees and an opportunity for the onlookers to mingle and take in the panoramic vistas. The event promises to be a real spectacle, and is a unique way of honouring this long-established celebration. If you are interested in attending the event please contact Julie on 02392 730068 to pre-register.   The Spinnaker Tower is open daily from 10am (excluding Christmas Day). See www.spinnakertower.co.uk or call 02392 857520 to book in advance or to find out more!