As we've seen at Stonehenge, fences are often perceived as things to be broken down. Stonehenge became an icon of resistance that had very little to do with spirituality for many annual marauders. Pagans policed Stonehenge this year, outnumbering English Heritage stewards and the police. They were able to persuade people that Stonehenge should be a place of reverence and respect, and to deal with the tiny group of people who felt compelled to climb up the stones without creating a riot. The trusting partnership between English Heritage, Pagans, the National Trust and the police meant that this year, against all odds, the event was peaceful and the Stonehenge landscape was undamaged.
Paganism is part of that review.
Archaeologists, as professionals with responsibilities towards the historic landscape, can make good use of those people who have an emotional and practical relationship with it - whatever their private views on Paganism might be. St Patrick's autobiography, the Confessio , sheds important light on the sequence of events in Britain after AD 410 by giving us a contemporary eyewitness view of a functioning villa around 450. Now I have come across a reference in the Annals of Inisfallen which may corroborate my suggestions. This would seem to complement the 7th century writer Muirchu's claim to know the name of Patrick's home. Yours sincerely, Harry Jelley Somerton, Somerset 26 March We welcome letters from readers.