To mollify his angry neighbors, the founder of a pagan church has built a wall of hay bales around the area where he sometimes holds dusk-to-dawn drumming ceremonies.

Alan Trusty founded the Green Dome Temple in 1991 when he decided to regard his 46-acre farm as his church.Authorities have been trying to mediate a dispute between Trusty and his neighbors over the noise.

The drumming is part of the group's annual Beltane - or May Day - celebration. The event attracts about 150 people for a Maypole dance, a feast, games of skill and strength, drumming and dancing.

View Comments

"The drumming and dancing is one thing that is common to all the traditions. It's what pulls everybody together," Trusty says. "It helps generate a meditative state."

Join the Conversation
Looking for comments?
Find comments in their new home! Click the buttons at the top or within the article to view them — or use the button below for quick access.