PROCESSION; FRUIT, FLOWERS AND WINE; SPECTATORS; CEREMONY.




Initials GEM/V/MR/GLH



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: THE DRUIDS WERE OUT ON HAMPSTEAD HEATH IN LONDON TODAY (SATURDAY) FOR THE RITES THAT MARK THEIR ANNUAL AUTUMNAL FESTIVAL.
THE DRUIDS WERE THERE TO MARK THE ARRIVAL OF AUTUMN, AND THEY DID SO WITH FLOWERS, FRUIT AND WINE, THE GOOD THINGS OF LIFE, AS THEY CALLED THEM. AFTER WALKING IN PROCESSION, THERE WAS A CEREMONIOUS OFFERING.
THE DRUIDS WERE WATCHED BY LONDONERS WHO PROBABLY HAD MORE CONTEMPORARY BELIEFS. DRUIDISM WAS THE FAITH OF THE ANCIENT CELTIC BRITONS BEFORE THE ROMAN OCCUPATION OF THE BRITISH ISLES, AND IT SURVIVED IN REMOTE AREAS UNTIL CHRISTIANITY SPREAD THROUGHOUT THE LAND.
IN THOSE DAYS THE DRUIDS WERE A GOOD DEAL LESS GENTLE THAN THE GROUP OFFERING FLOWERS AND FRUIT IN MODERN LONDON. THEN THEY MADE HUMAN SACRIFICES IN WHICH MEN WERE BURNED ALIVE IN WICKER CAGES.