The shortest day of the longest year: Pagan revellers brave downpours at a closed Stonehenge to mark Winter Solstice as canal bursts its banks in Yorkshire and flood warnings are issued ahead of heavy rain in the south east
- Today will see just under eight hours of daylight with the sun rising at 8:04am and setting at 3.53pm
- Thousands of annual Stonehenge attendees watched sunrise online as the English Heritage closed to visitors
- Despite closure several dozen Pagan revellers attended site, as security guards surrounded the monument
- Up to 80 flood alerts are issued across Wales and England, mostly southern, 10 warnings and 66 alertsThousands have welcomed in the shortest and darkest day of 2020 this morning, tuning in to watch the Winter Solstice sunrise over Stonehenge on live stream as visitors are banned from the site.
The shortest day of the year was met with driving rain and howling winds at the historic landmark in Salisbury, usually packed with around 5,000 visitors to mark the twice-a-year phenomena.
Yet despite the closure several dozen Pagan revellers attended the site to worship, along with a number of security guards, as most went online to get a glimpse of the sunrise over the English Heritage site.Elsewhere in the country the day brings 59 flood alerts and seven warnings, as rain continues for most of southern England and Wales, with 0.8in (20mm) expected over these parts. Three flood warnings and seven alerts are in place in Wales, where rain is predicted to continue into midweek.
In East and West Cowick, East Yorkshire, residents are preparing for evacuation after the banks of the Aire and Calder canal burst near to the A614, flooding the road in both direction and putting homes at risk.
Low lying parts of Herefordshire, the Lake District and Gloucestershire have also received flood warnings.
Revellers gathered to worship on Winter Solstice at Stonehenge, Salisbury, despite the monument remaining closed
A security guard stands near the closed Stonehenge on December 21, 2020 in Amesbury, United Kingdom
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A yellow rain warning is in place over southern England and parts of Wales for Wednesday
This morning water was seen gushing into fields close to the M62 in East and West Cowick, East Yorkshire, as authorities raced to prevent major flooding.
The embankment at the Aire and Calder canal, which feeds Southfield Reservoir, has collapsed near to the A614 with fears that homes and more roads could be flooded if the breach is not plugged. Police, fire crews, the Environment Agency and local authorities are at the scene.
On Wednesday areas of low pressure in the south are expected to bring more rain to the already saturated ground in southern England and Wales, with clearer skies and the occasional shower in the north.
The UK will see very mild temperatures today, which are predicted to reach highs of 15C (59F) in London tomorrow, topping Rome. Highs of 13C (55F) are expected on Wednesday in St. Helier, Jersey, and 12C (53F) in Plymouth, before colder weather moves in.
Inching closer to Christmas the week will become increasingly wintery nationwide, with widespread frost and sunny skies for many by Thursday, Christmas Eve, and for many on Christmas morning.
Christmas Day is expected to be mostly dry with sunny spells across the UK, with windier weather expected in the north.
The embankment at the Aire and Calder canal, which feeds Southfield Reservoir, has collapsed near to the A614 (pictured)
The A614 has been flooded and is closed in both directions as flood water continues to drain onto farmland and roads after a breach in the Aire and Calder canal
Authorities in East Yorkshire are seen attempting to prevent further flooding near the M62 in Cowick, as the A614 is closed
The shortest day of the year was met with poor weather, driving rain and howling winds at Stonehenge in Salisbury. People are seen gathering at the closed monument
Participants for a circle for a ceremony of Winter Solstice at the closed Stonehenge
A man gestures next to senior druid King Arthur Pendragon at the closed Stonehenge on December 21, 2020 in Amesbury, United Kingdom
A cloaked man carries out a ceremony as people watch at Stonehenge this morning
Participants gather for the Winter Solstice at the closed Stonehenge on December 21, 2020
Despite the English Heritage site closing in the interests of public health many still arrived to celebrate the astronomical event
Guards patrolled the site to ensure it remained closed to visitors on the usually busy morningIn other events today, English Heritage faced a backlash from Senior Druid 'King' Arthur Pendragon for cancelling the the centuries old celebration of Winter Solstice today due to social distancing rules.
The traditional December 21st gathering at Stonehenge's mystical stone circle would usually see thousands of Druid and other Pagan worshippers gathering to watch the sunrise over the stones, when it's at its lowest point on the horizon - the event is worshipped as a welcoming of the new sun, marking a rebirth.
Senior Druid 'King' Arthur Pendragon vowed he would brave the elements come what may, and was pictured observing the sunrise in person 'on adjacent land, as close as legally possible' to the stones.
He angrily accused English Heritage of 'using the Covid crisis as an excuse' not to allow people to celebrate the solstice at Stonehenge.
He said the ancient stone circle 'should be open as other places of worship are'.
Scenes of flooding in Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, where a flood warning is in place after the River Severn at Severn Ham burst its banks
Flooding around Tewkesbury following days of torrential rain, which has caused the river Severn and Avon to burst their banks where they meet
Canal boats appear to be on land as water spills over the banks of the river and floods nearby fields and roads
Cheltenham College boat house is seen underwater following the flooding in Tewkesbury today
Despite the deadly global pandemic crowds gather at Glastonbury Tor in Somerset to celebrate the winter solstice, on the evening of December 20
Campers are seen at Glastonbury Tor, Somerset, yesterday, awaiting the sunrise of the Winter Solstice which appeared today at 8:04am
Caravans are seen parked up alongside Glastonbury Tor, where many have come to see in the Winter Solstice
English Heritage said it took the decision in the interest of public health following advice from Wiltshire Council and Wiltshire Police.
However Arthur raged 'You can't get more Covid secure than you can in the middle of the field.
'It is very frustrating that English Heritage are using the Covid crisis as an excuse not to open Stonehenge.
'English Heritage will not allow us into Stonehenge and they haven't all year.
'My argument is it should be open as other places of worship are like temples, mosques, churches and synagogues.
'Because if you can't be socially distanced in a field in Salisbury Plain, where can you?'
An English Heritage spokesperson said 'Our plan to live-stream the winter solstice - a spiritually significant time for many - is supported by representatives of the pagan and druid groups with whom we work.
'Although disappointed that they cannot attend in person, the community respects the fact that the pandemic and its safety restrictions are exceptional circumstances.'
The shortest day of 2020 was met with poor weather, driving rain and howling winds at Stonehenge, the historic landmark in Salisbury
The monument is usually packed with around 5,000 visitors to mark the twice-a-year phenomena
From this point on the days will get longer, giving many a sense of hope that a brighter time lies ahead after a tumultuous 2020
A woman plays a wooden recorder during ceremonies at Stonehenge this morning
A man livestreams the ceremony for the Winter Solstice at the closed Stonehenge
Dozens of worshippers turned up to hold hands in a circle despite English Heritage having closed the site
In years gone by, thousands used to gather with the Druids for the winter and the midsummer June 21st celebrations, which led to violent clashes with police.
In the famous 1985 'Battle of the Beanfield' on land next to the stones, more than 500 people were arrested and dozens of police were injured as they fought to stop people getting to the stones.
It led to English Heritage agreeing to 'peaceful', carefully-controlled gatherings at the monument.
In addition to the Winter Solstice, last night saw a once-in-a-lifetime 'Christmas star' gracing the sky, as it will continue to do for the rest of December as Jupiter and Saturn appear as a 'double planet'.
The conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn occurs every 20 years however this is the first time for 800 years it has occured near Christmas.
That is disgusting.....banning pagan folks of their religious right to celebrate as they choose to on this important day of the year. Shame on Britain for closing down Stonehenge!!!!!
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