Harpist Morwenna Louttit-Vermaat from Hands on Harps, Stroud, welcomed the rising of the midsummer solstice sun on ancient Selsley Common, to the sound of skylarks.
Photographer Simon Pizzey got up early and joined a few brave souls to listen to tunes including Green Sleeves and Here Comes the Sun.
Stroud floral artist Emma Thistlethwaite created unique floral headpieces for the solstice using locally-grown Gloucestershire blooms in line with last week’s British Flowers Week, including calendula officinalis (common marigold), the traditional flower used in summer solstice rituals, ceremonies and celebrations.
Joined by fellow Stroud artists Polly Armond and Emlyn Bainbridge, Emma celebrated this year’s summer solstice on Selsley Common in view of the iconic saddleback tower of All Saints Church, built in the mid-1800s with windows created by the Pre-Raphaelite movement artists.
Pictures by Simon Pizzey.
