www.photobookcafe.co.uk/whats-on/free-the-stones

Freddie miller is a photographer based in South East London. Free the stones – is a film exploring contemporary free festivals, new age travellers, and pagan culture and how Stonehenge is a focal point for these movements’ community and their spirit of resistance.

The film tells the story of Sid Hope – a South London raised free festival campaigner who has split his life between Vauxhall squats & Stonehenge solstices, where he aims to reinstate a ‘peoples free festival’.

The photos and film were shot over the course of 2023, anchored around Stonehenge’s seasonal celebrations, as well as South London where Sid resides

above: Quarterly newsletter: Tash Lodge/festival eye. event info/ flyer via face book event page, campaign website etc

Despite a low turn out on the day, the festival campaign sponsored event held at the site of the bean field trashing in 85, was most appreciated and well received on face book/ social media. At least two of those present back in 85 are no longer with us … Shax (only 15 yrs young at the time, and Phil the beer, rest in power, with us in spirit, always … Thank you Wally Dean, Rollo, etc, for your support !!

this June see’s the festival campaign celebrate a decade of music, organisation and subversion @ Stonehenge – with a legal ‘all dayer’ @ the BARGE INN, PEWSEY, WILTS … entry is FREE* / donations – with camping available in advance – check out the flyer etc for info or contact the usual june helpline on 079854 10448

All day event, main bands start 7 PM till Midnight … contact the Barge Inn for camping : £12 in advance / book early to avoid disappointment 07917 407 522 > campaign helpline 079854 10448

Recent fears that Stonehenge custodian’s ‘English Heretics’ would be influenced by new anti-traveler legislation (brought in on June 28th 2022) seem to be unfounded – However, the campaign would like travelers from the Romany community to take this opportunity to join with us @ Stonehenge in defiance of the latest unjustified and racist anti traveler laws specifically aimed at the Romany/ gypsy community. The latest indications are …

the Stonehenge drove will remain open for the forthcoming overnight autumn equinox celebrations > Sep 22 / dawn access Sep 23 2022 > (Free parking / camping/ dawn access into the stones. Wilts A303) You can expect the campaign mobile (Info, welfare, lost & found etc) and entertainment from the ‘Dub Bus’ / Love & @narchy sound system, DJ’s Jah Maker, DJ BOSH, etc, and live solo sets – Bands invited, Circus & fire wanted – Helpline 079854 10448

Stonehenge festival campaign free Quarterly newsletter – ten years dedicated service – available on site and on-line – view /download

thank you everyone that made it onto, or tried to reach, this years Stonehenge free festival ‘Satellite site’ only two miles away from those sacred stones > those Rock n Roll UFOs didn’t disappoint as Chris Bowsher’s R.DF. took to the stage @ 11:00 PM solstice eve and gave a fantastic show … that those devotees on site wont forget in a hurry – this was the campaign’s fifth consecutive year of sponsorship and co-ordination. Thank you everyone that rang the two helplines this year. Having agreed to move on from a previous site @ Ratfyn Barrows it wasn’t too long before Wilts police’s ‘liason’ officers found the new festival site’s location and eventually got round to closing the grassy drove to further vehicles – unfortunately Celtic Steve & the N.F.A band just missed out !! We move into uncharted territory as the new Anti traveller / gypsy laws are introduced. With the autumn equinox celebrations @ Stonehenge approaching we’ve yet to see how the council & police are to react. A huge debt of gratitude goes out to the campaign/ Dub Bus Krew, Lief/ Love & @narchy Sound system, Lisa Vallance, Lou & Mardi, etc, etc