Forums › Rave › Free Parties & Teknivals › UK: Thames Valley : Ridgeway – is the party finally over?
Two pressrels from TVP… sadly although I think there is a slight exaggeration in the amount of damage reported by cops, I can’t think of much of a rebuttal for the cops’ argument as the problems are real and have inconvenienced locals………
We had 14 years of raves in that area, and they were grudginly tolerated for years – but with hindsight the ones over the last few years were a bit much.
In recent years there were 10+ rigs and parties going on into the working week when farmers etc were trying to get to the land which is their livelihood, parties being held in lambing season (new English lambs don’t like hardstyle, even if Welsh hill sheep seem to enjoy it!), also massive road blockages and even incidents of violence witnessed by the cops (I was told of an incident where TVP attended one rave to break up a potential fight (and then let the rave continue!)
And wherever the rigs are put, the lack of proper latrines means that agricultural land ends up contaminated, and/or fences are breached by those looking for a place to perform bodily functions!. This is criminal damage as well, although not as obvious as a broken window…
The very fact they have issued two pressrels is a new tack; in previous years there was a virtual “news blackout” on raves, presumably so as not to give them “the oxygen of publicity”.
But after making public statements like this it is very doubtful that the cops or locals will back down now; they are clearly stating “enough’s enough”.
with the cops’ new comms systems and the availability of accurate electronic maps of the rural areas, it definitely looks like the cops have won this round – perhaps this should be a lesson to everyone in the UK that a greater amount of “self-regulation” is required and increasing opposition from locals cannot just be disregarded….
| Released on Wednesday, 25 May 2005 at 15:31:29 |
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Police step up resources to prevent illegal raves across southern Oxfordshire
Over the next few weekends police will be dedicating resources to target illegal raves throughout southern Oxfordshire. The resources will be targeted at preventing the unlicensed events before they begin. Our intention is to minimise disruption to the local community by stopping large amounts of traffic coming into small villages and loud noise from revellers throughout the night. This in turn will prevent damage to local land owners’ property and allow members of the public who wish to use the land for dog walking and other lawful recreational purposes to do so. Officers are also concerned for the welfare of the people attending events like these; as they usually involve excessive amounts of alcohol consumed by large numbers without safety precautions in place. On the bank holiday weekend (02/05), officers monitored a rave on the Ridgeway near East Hendred. Intelligence and evidence was gathered to pursue prosecutions after the event; four people were arrested for drugs offences and one for theft of a bicycle. More than 90 vehicles with three large sound systems were stopped from entering land near Aldworth after a tip off from an off-duty officer who overheard plans for the rave. The rave was planned for the early hours of Sunday (15/5) but officers managed to stop it taking place. Fifty-six officers from Berkshire and Oxfordshire were involved in the operation – mounted under Section 63 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, which gives officers the authority to turn people away from an illegal gathering such as a rave. Officers spread out around the area of Chilton, Streatley, Compton and Aldworth and stopped vehicles as they tried to reach rural land on the Ridgeway throughout the early hours of Sunday (15/05). Ch Insp David Purnell, local police area commander for the Vale of White Horse, said: “I am working closely with our partners within the local authority to combat the problems and disruption these events cause to the community. “We will investigate and assess all illegal raves in accordance with the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act, and I have allocated a considerable number of officers to resource this operation as these raves are unlicensed and frequently involve large numbers of people disrupting the lives of others.” Members of the public are urged to phone police on ****** and quote ************if they have any information concerning illegal raves over the forth coming weekends. |
| Released on Tuesday, 31 May 2005 at 16:30:35 |
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Rave crackdown shows signs of success
Intelligence-led planning and dedicated resources resulted in a bank holiday weekend free of illegal raves in the region. Police responded to one report of a possible rave in progress in the early hours of Sunday morning (29/5) near Cumnor, and arrived to find around 30 people in the process of setting-up a rave. Officers swiftly put a stop to this, issuing those present with a notice to quit under the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act. Insp Pete Downing, of the Operations Department at Force headquarters, said: “Certain communities in the Force, especially those around the Ridgeway and East Hendred, have suffered over the last couple of months with illegal raves and we have made it quite clear that the counties we police will not be soft targets for rave organisers. “Traditionally, bank holiday weekends are popular with illegal rave organisers and for this reason a determined effort has been made to stamp out the substantial disruption these events cause the local communities. We are very pleased that this proved successful, but organisers should be under no illusion that we will be keeping the pressure up in key areas of the Force over the coming months. “These events are often associated with trespass, drug use and appalling criminal damage. Thames Valley Police is not looking for confrontation but any illegal activity will be dealt with very robustly.” PC Pete Hale, of Oxfordshire BCU Operations based at Abingdon, added: “I am pleased the message is getting through that the Thames Valley is not the place to be for illegal raves. However, we will continue to work with our partners to disrupt any such events and will investigate all illegal raves in accordance with the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act.” Ends. |
I don’t think the parties over just yet.
I beleive the Ridgeway just needs a quiet spell. I beleive the TVP launched that operation following the 3 day party held in East Hendred on bank holiday weekend. This one – “On the bank holiday weekend (02/05), officers monitored a rave on the Ridgeway near East Hendred. Intelligence and evidence was gathered to pursue prosecutions after the event; four people were arrested for drugs offences and one for theft of a bicycle. “
The party received no complaints from noise levels as the nearest property was 2 miles away.
Police commented at the time they have “no problems” with the party. We can “stay all week for all they care”. Even came back tuesday morning when there was about 20 people left at the party and said “you guys still going for it, haha”. Sadly ITV news got wind of this party and did a TV broadcast about it. So the press came down to the party……..cont’d when i get home form work!!!
Shit – If its ITV Central, out of all the media thats the worst lot you could have on your case. they’ve prolly got big chips on their shoulders as most of them are being made redundant (OTOH I haven’t got any sympathy for them whatsoever)
http://www.partyvibe.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2190
Doesn’t surprise me some of the cops were relatively sound but at the end of the day they don’t make the rules, they just enforce them. cops probably don’t have any problems with the party as they all live miles away but the locals probably did – if a local whinges enough they have to take their side – its the “protecting communities against anti-social behaviour” tip.
I suspect parties will eventually happen there again; but only if people are prepared to be a bit smarter and totally minimise disruption ; don’t rinse it with too many rigs or send your convoys through all the villages of West Berkshire! Its like Royston Vasey up there and they are very supicious of strangers….
Right home now!
Yeah they did an article on the party not sure what was said although i have heard it wasn’t too bad. However because it was on TV the local press sent a reporter out to get a couple of pics. Which luckily the reporter was an ex raver from 13 years ago.
He only spoke to members of the public who he knew would give a positive response.
Article below
First published on Tuesday 03 May 2005:
Nimbys? Not us, say rave neighbours
An illegal rave on the Ridgeway near East Hendred attracted 500 revellers at the weekend, but police and villagers said the event passed off peacefully.
The two day rave started at about 8.30am on Sunday morning but caused little disturbance to villagers.
The rave was held on the Ridgeway at the top of Newbury Road, about two miles from East Hendred.
Thames Valley Police tactical advisors said there was no serious distress to residents, the environment or the ravers themselves. They added there would have been a risk of serious public disorder had officers intervened and they let the party peter out.
500 ravers were still on the Ridgeway at 1pm on Monday and a large number of vehicles were parked at Scutchamer Knob, along with numerous tents. But by mid-afternoon most were making their way home.
One said: “It’s kind of traditional to do this around May 1. We have no intention of upsetting people.” and those living in east Hendred are really good to us and very understanding.”
Two miles away in East Hendred most villagers were unaware of the rave and the music was not audible in the village.
Residents said the illegal raves were a regular occurrence at Scutchamer Knob on the Ridgeway with around eight held last year.
Villagers enjoying the Bank Holiday sunshine said the events caused little problem and could rarely be heard — some, dispelling the myth that rural residents are Nimbies — evens welcomed the part-goers into the village.
“We never get problems from up there,” said Alan Valentine, the landlord of The Plough Inn. “They come in have a coffee and a game of pool. They are brilliant, they know the rules and if they cause trouble they will be out. We normally get a few in on the Sunday night.”
Janet Simmons of Mill Lane said the rave had caused no problems.
“I heard about it in the village today, nothing detrimental. Some people heard it until three or four in the morning but it wasn’t that loud. It didn’t cause any trouble.”
The police also stated that no serious criminal offences were being committed but officers gathered intelligence and evidence to pursue prosecutions after the event.
Four people were arrested for minor drug offences and one for theft of a bicycle.
In March police monitored an illegal rave on The Ridgeway near Wantage.
The event, at Blowing Stone Hill above Kingston Lisle, caused no disturbance and no arrests were made.”
Trouble is though either that article was too good, and pissed off TVP, or the TV report did. Or it could just be there has been one to many parties in the Oxon/Berks area
Either way, within 2 weeks they published those reports you posted about.
Trouble is though either that article was too good, and pissed off TVP, or the TV report did. Or it could just be there has been one to many parties in the Oxon/Berks area
Either way, within 2 weeks they published those reports you posted about.
A girl I met at Henley Come together festival showed me that report – I couldn’t believe how positive it was. Fair play to that reporter BTW, its brilliant to see that he has integrity and even though he decided not to carry on raving still put in a good word for the scene.
Incidentally I have lived in West Berkshire and know the area well – I also work with people who live near East Hendred – and many of them do not see raves as a major problem. One accountant who lived in East Hendred and recently moved out [after getting married] actually said to me
“what? a whole big disco that you can drink as much as you want and stay all night? you mean I missed out on all those parties virtually on my own doorstep?”
Others think its a bit of a joke really; but they do get annoyed when the events carry on into the working week as there is extra traffic/blockages etc.
I can’t see how the report would have caused the backlash.
What was worrying is that weekend they had all the roadblocks they took cops off the Reading murder investigation (those two girls who were raped and stabbed in westside). Something must have happened to cause the cops to react like that.
Contrary to popular belief TVP have shitloads else to do in the West Berks area. It may look nice but there is lots of heroin abuse, domestic violence (the toffs are the worst, they have shotguns and shoot up their partners/family quite often), chavs, livestock and tack theft, pikeys, pissed up fights and stabbings, and they actually never used to bother with stopping raves that much unless there was loads of complaints from locals.
I would suspect the ITV report (given Centrals history) may have been a hatchet job (did anyone record it?) – or although many of the residents were OK, one of the landowners/farmers found his fence all busted up and shit/toilet paper in his fields (not good when new lambs are being born) and the dog walkers also complained (but I have never known them to actually get hassle off ravers in 14 years)
I would expect given previous years events the cops were perhaps worried that if they didn’t show their strength you’d end up with massive 3 day multiriggers every weekend which would be a bit too much IMO – not all crews are as good at cleaning up as you lot are (I was told you even went back midweek) or the other local crews….. don’t mean to be harsh but over the years some “out of area” crews come to the Ridgeway and just have left the rubbish etc because they don’t have a stake in the area.
To me the ridgeway is a bit of local heritage and an escape from the city areas of Reading etc – I sometimes ride there on my bike and don’t want to see it trashed for whatever reason..
perhaps smaller is better in the current climate (3 rigs, 2 big ones + 1 chill out is about right) and try to let the dog walkers have a more of Sunday without lots of noise/people…. also the bigger raves get the more hassle occurs (there was bare vehicles broken into last year and even a few fights) so its better for everyone TBH…
from a political point of veiw, the authorities dont like to be shown up…reports like that are likely to annoy politicians by showin theyve been wasting tax payers money. i dont think the complaints are what really bother them, its the outlaw nature of them showing that we dont need all this pel beurocracy.
still, that report is one for the files:bounce_ci
knowing the area very well I’m not sure about that TBH.
The backlash came directly from TVP, not from the local councillors who are more than happy to stick their oar in when they want a whinge (I check all the local media from that area) and would have written a rebuttal to that positive report or some other negative press in one of the local rags (which I would have relayed here by now!)
There’s a minor chance TVP could have been worried that the reports showed the area would have been a “soft touch” – but the report doesn’t even show TVP in a particularly bad light either – they did what they had to – a proportionate response – as no one complained they just nicked the “druggies” and the bike thief . As I said previously they are overstretched in that area and don’t really want a major incident on a weekend (especially when they are already dealing with one!)
The last thing West Berks council want is any more PEL applications or court cases; they are also a Tory council which believes in “small government”, who are actually quite critical of the new licensing system. Perhaps this is also probably why they haven’t taken any potential PEL action further yet, they just do not have the resources as they are dealing with loads of applications from the many pubs in that area
OTOH that report is just one side of the story, the reporter admitted to spinning it a bit.
There is perhaps a rather more pragmatic reason for the backlash.
The Ridgeway is still an important access road for many privately owned farms, and a substantial amount of “real” farming (particularly rare breeds livestock) and stabling of ponies/horses goes on there. (there are also a few SSSIs on the ridgeway)
Raves, however carefully organised, often result in people breaching the fences/gates to look for places to explore or just to have a shit/piss. This can cause the livestock to escape and wander – in some cases finding their way into hazardous areas where there are toxic plants, or on to main roads where they can be injured in RTCs.
I’ve seen fences busted up at loads of ridgeway raves and there have been livestock escapes before….
If the consequences of a rave are landing farmers with extra vet bills or losses due to dead livestock (and one TVP report alleges this) then the farmer is bound to complain to the local cops and as “community police officers” they have to be seen to do something about it.
Most of the farmers there are fairly influential local employers etc…
This is far more likely to be the real cause of this lockdown.
still, that report is one for the files:bounce_ci
i’m not sure that a news report such as this would have a special impact on a particular politicians views on raves
in the main, politicians represent what the masses think… i think
although the masses are told what to think by the press and media, so are politicians… “support this business / lifestyle interest this or we’ll slate you at the next election”
but in the main, people who live in rural areas but don’t go partying can see no benefit to raves being allowed IMO
i reckon it’s time to be giving something back to a wider group than at present… how to achieve it is another subject!
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Forums › Rave › Free Parties & Teknivals › UK: Thames Valley : Ridgeway – is the party finally over?
