Council of British Druid Orders

The Council of British Druid Orders is a neo-pagan group which was originally formed to facilitate ceremonies at Stonehenge.[1] The Council's founder, the late Tim Sebastian, used the title, "Archdruid of Wiltshire, Chosen Chief of the Secular Order of Druids, Conservation Officer for the Council of British Druid Orders and Bard of the Gorsedd of Caer Abiri (Avebury)."[2]

The 2005 mid-summer festival at Stonehenge

The group is best known for presiding at mid-summer festivals held since 1999.[3] Up to 24,000 have attended.[4] These festivals are a successor to the Stonehenge Free Festival that was held from 1974 to 1984.

COBDO represents some sixteen British Druid Orders, and Stonehenge celebrations are still its main concern. Following the passing of Tim Sebastian the main figures within COBDO are Rollo Maughling and Arthur Pendragon, leader of the Loyal Arthurian Warband. The main website for COBDO has expanded beyond coverage of Stonehenge to provide a general description of Druidry as a spiritual faith. [5] Within the context of Stonehenge, regular meetings representing different Druidic groups and individuals, the National Trust, English Heritage, the local Council, the police and traveller groups are held several times a year both before and after religious celebrations at the stones to discuss issues around open access including transport, road closures, public safety and disability access; members of COBDO are always attendant at these meetings, particularly Rollo Maughling and Arthur Pendragon. Arthur Pendragon has been particularly prominent in protests against local road development as well as open access.