Mutant Dance Party Bust Mutant Dance Party Busted
June 1999
Just thought some of you might be interested to know that the Mutant Dance party on Saturday night was busted.....
We had planned to do the party at a quiet barn about 10 miles from Stonehenge, but due to uncontrollable rumours (not started by us) the police decided we were going to try to break into Stonehenge. (it did occur to us as a possibility, but only after everyone told us we were going to do it anyway!)
We were met at the meeting point by some of Wiltshire constabulary... We knew we wouldn't be able to go to the site without being followed, so we decided to talk to them. After hours of attempted negotiation, I finally spoke to the chief constable of Wiltshire constabulary (Andy Hollingshead) and he said to me "You have my personal assurance that we will allow you to take the convoy to your intended site, and any police officers or vehicles you see on the way will be merely spectating. We don't want to stop your party, we don't want trouble." No-one told the police where we were going.
We led the four mile long convoy from Amesbury car park to the site (a wikkid setup with 5 barns miles from houses, and lots of trees around to stop the noise traveling), we were followed by a chopper, military police, and vans of police. Just as we pulled up, the police cut across fields and stormed the site, arresting myself and the other organizers. They seized Dionisus sound system (from Milton Keynes), two systems from Bristol, and Stinky Pink System. We managed to laugh off the arrests, as they didn't seem very serious. (They did offer to un-arrest us, but that would have meant paperwork, so we settled for staying arrested, reasoning that they couldn't arrest us again that way). After they had read us the riot act we were turned around and we led the convoy back to Amesbury car park, past Stonehenge. At this point, the convoy slowed down to 5mph and the noise was deafening as people expressed their disgust to the assembled police.
We made it back to the car park to decide what to do, closely followed by a few police vans. I was told of a travelers site on the Wiltshire border where they already had system going and wanted us to join them. It seemed like the best idea, as police are often reluctant to venture too far into established traveler sites.
We tried to talk to the police, and explain that we needed to compromise (by this time we had gathered about 600 people) and that they wouldn't be able to get rid of everyone peacefully, we needed somewhere to go. The inspector turned round to us and said "what makes you think people will go if you tell them? You lot couldn't organize a piss-up...." etc.
A display of unity was needed. We called all the party people over to one end of the car park, everyone got out of their cars, and stood silently to hear what we had to say. Cockney (another Mutant Dance rep and the one with the loudest voice) made a speech and told everyone what the situation was with the police... he told people we had an alternative site lined up on the border of Wiltshire, we would pass directions around the crowd discretely and that we needed to leave in small groups. We had an hour to get out. 15 minutes later the car park was clear and everyone was on their way to the party. Better organized that a military decamp. The Inspector looked suitably shocked. We call it organized chaos.
We now only had one system left (Junkchun 10 from Reading) and they were pulled twice and escorted out of the county. So with no rigs left we made our way to the site party, hoping to rescue some of the night.
Unfortunately, the site we moved to was not very nice. It was full of brewed-up crusties trying to make people pay a fiver for parking. There was a very dark vibe, and it started to rain. The police turned up (cos our phones were tapped) After an incident involving keys locked in a car, a broken window and my boyfriend getting covered in broken glass, we decided to call it a night and left. Sorry to anyone who was there and I didn't say hello to, I was beyond socialising.
I now hear on the news about a riot at stonehenge last night. BBC news is claiming that we were respon-sible for inciting people to riot. They claim our website was outlining plans to charge at the stones....
Bollocks.
None of the systems were impounded, but told they would be if they returned to the county. I am still under arrest (I think) And I can guarantee you will hear more about the lying bastard coppers as I intend to shout about it till everyone knows not to trust the police. Our phones are still tapped, and my emails are being scanned. (I was told by them that this was how they knew so much about our plans) Hello PC netplod by the way, hope you enjoy the story.
A word of warning: nothing is private anymore.... if you are into organising parties, landlines, mobiles and emails are NOT the way to do it.
We tried an experiment on Saturday which involved being honest with the police, trying to negotiate and seeking a compromise. We were fuct over. May that be a lesson to us all. Thanks to those that made the effort to come along, especially the guys with the systems. Maybe another time eh? Have we been put off? Have we fuck. Our next party will be in a safer, quieter place, but we will be back!
Queens Day at the Elf in Amsterdam Queens Day at the Elf
[30th April 1999]
courtesy of marita
Jason creak in tow, we headed over to the free outdoor party under the bridge close to central station, that's been happening every year now for the last 4 years. And it seems that this was the best one yet. Organised by the folks from the squatted Belgian embassy, (Elf), by the time we got there at 2:30 or 3pm, it was already well under way. Lots of fluoro freaks bopping around, and even more people on top of the bridge looking on in amazement and taking photo's of them. =o)
Derek was playing when we got there, and I *finally* got to hear him! Every party I've been to when he's been playing, he either took the decks before or after I'd been there. =o) He played really good. makes me look forward to when I get to hear a full nighttime set from him. I'm a good month late writing this review, so my recollection of the exact line up is hazey. I do know who played, just not exactly in which order.
I remember that Mariano played better than I've heard him play in a while. I enjoyed his set for sure. The martian was a bit... er.. 'cheesy' might be the word. Played around too much, a bit like a techno dj, and put on some very cheesy tracks.
Danyel was there as well, but he played some whoppers. I'm starting to really enjoy his sets again. =) I think jason was just taking over as we left. Lot's of ppl there that we knew, including Alistair, Matt, Remko, Baz, Ray, Stella...er... lots of others as well, a few of which are evading me at the moment, and many of whom the names would mean nothing to most of you anyway. =o) Oh yeah, claim to fame, got introduced to synchro. Turns out to be a nicer guy than i had given him credit for. =o)
Anyway, we'd been there from 3 - 8pm in the most gorgous sunshine, so we figured we'd head on home, albeit a touch sunburned, to get some food, and rest up before the rest of the night's festivities. =)
And what festivities they were! There was another party on, right in the centre of a'dam, with Jean borelli, Anti, Gms, and a few others, but we thought about it and figured 'queen's day. Centre of amsterdam. In a club. We're all going to be packed in like sardines, and trod on by lots of silly drunken people flinging beer around and wearing orange wigs.' but because of that, the crowd at the e.l.f. was smaller than usual. So i'm happy that party was happening. =o)
When we got to the Elf around 1:30 or 2am, there were about 175 - 200 people there, and it didn't seem to increase much more over the night. (correct me if i'm wrong timo and/or jason - I'm hopeless at estimating crowds.) but. The atmosphere was something else. Any of you that remember my reviews of parties in the Silo Well, the atmosphere in the elf is as close as it gets to how it used to be in the Silo. We recognised quite a few of the 'old Silo heads', and the rest of the crowd were like minded folks. *what* a rush. =o) It's difficult to explain unless you had experienced it a couple of times, but it's such a fuckin' relief to regain some of that friendliness, atmosphere, attitude, and pure downright fun that we used to have there. The elf seems to have captured some of it back. I must've wagged the ears of *every*one there that night, and they off me. =o)) Such a chatty, fun, friendly party I haven't had in a while. =oD You could tell how much fun I was having when I realised I was having some great conversations with a guy from Italy called Joseph that spoke almost no english, while I speak no italian... =o)
er... Decor : loads of blacklight, with a general mayan backdrop theme. No smoke machines, no strobe. Just blacklight heaven, and some *beautiful* backdrops. =o)
djs : as ever in the elf, you never know who's going to turn up and play there. but at parties like these, it never matters, cuz you know you're going to enjoy yourself anyway. =) Jason was playing when we got there, but we didn't have our 'energy' in check just yet, so we went to the chill out for a while. When we came back, he was on the last leg of his set, and it was sounding much better.
After him, an israeli dj that i hadn't heard of, or seen before took over. Discovered, after a bit of a chat, that his name was Asher. Fuckin' great set! He pumped some energy into the place! No wonder the place was beaming with fluorescent teethy smiles. =o)
And up after asher, was Poly. It's actually the first time I've heard him play, and the first time in *ages* that he's been back around Amsterdam. He kept up the same energetic vibe that asher had started, and had us all dancing well into the early hours. Talk about not being able to drag yourself off the dance floor. =)
After poly, came one of the residents, manuel. This is the 3rd time i've seen him play at the elf now, and once again, he didn't disappoint. The dance floor was throbbing (for want of a better word). =o)
Meanwhile, in the chillout, sander was playing another phenomenal set. =o) And as ever, walter the eyes, Benny and Joe the caterpillars, and yoh-hie the..er... umm... 'funny thing', went down a massive blast. =o)
We left around 11am the next morning, just as eveline was making her way towards the dj box to take over from Manuel, but we were starting to get very tired, and the crowd was starting to thin out considerably.
Cycled back, with dialated pupils, through the park. What a fantastic experience after such a night of perfect partying. Brilliant green grass and leaves, and tons of birds singing. And the creak of my bicycle chain that's been begging for a drop of oil for a while now.... =o)
And jason creak the bastard. He's here for a weekend, and he almost knew more bloody people at the party under the bridge than I knew, and I've been living here almost 8 bloody years! all these ppl he'd met in Goa and knew from his travels, came skipping up going 'wotcha jason!'.
;o)))
Anywayz. that's my review of queen's day. =)
Let hope you won't have to wait as long for the next one.... ;)
smiles all!
=o)
marita.
Wijk Aan Zee Beach Party [6 june 1998]
courtesy of marita*
Place : Wijk Aan Zee, The netherlands
Location : The beach
......which was looking a bit dodgy cuz we were having terrible lightening and thunder storms here all day friday, saturday morning, and again saturday evening. It wasn't looking promising, but we agreed that we'd wait and see, as it was only about half an hours drive from Amsterdam anyway.
And sure enough, at 10 or 10:30pm, it was looking okay. No clear skies, but at least it wasn't as dark and foreboding as earlier on in the day. So we phoned up X-ray and Stella and told them to come around to our place, and we'd go! Which they did, and we headed off, with 2 finnish friends of ours, Petteri and Niila, following in their van behind.
Our -ahem- 'half an hour' journey turned into a slightly longer one when we first made the same mistake as we did last year, and didn't take the correct road initially off the highway, and ended up driving back. That didn't make much of a difference, but then when we got to Wijk Aan Zee and drove towards the road to the north pier, it was completely dug up and blocked off. We couldn't find another road heading the way we wanted, so we kinda drove around Wijk Aan Zee a few times, and finally headed towards Castricum in hope of finding a sign post to head us in the right direction.
Not a hope. =o) We arrived in Castricum having not seen anything to point us in the direction we had wanted. Out with the map!! =o) And of course that helped. 10 or 15mins later we were on familiar ground, and driving down the road to the beach. And what's that in front of us..?? The Shakti mobile!! =o)
Hello's and greeting passed around, we headed off down the beach. They'd set the place up nicely, tent for dj's and a small chillout, and a very crude, not very weather worthy bit of shelter made from some plastic, but it didn't rain all night, we were dead lucky, and only at one point did I sit in around the dj tent, cuz it was warm and toasty in there, and i was freezing. =) They'd built up a fire as well, but there were so many people already sitting around it, it wasn't worth the effort to try and squeeze in. We'd brought ground plastic, blankets, and lots of warm clothes with us anyway.
We'd just set up our base with blankets and stuff, when I had a look at who, what, where etc. There I am, standing on the edges of our 'camp', when I notice that Kristina is sitting on a sleeping bag literally 1 meter in front of me. =o) That was a nice reunion!
Luna-tic was already playing when we got there, so we missed the first dj, (and didn't actually get a report whether he was any good or not), but Dave (luna-tic) played the best set I think I've ever heard him play.
Following him was Zen, whom I think also played a great set. The atmosphere there was very good, nice and friendly. There were a lot of the old party heads there that I hadn't seen in a while. Spent quite a bit of the night catching up with people I hadn't seen in about a year or so. Quite a few local drunks as well, but that's the good thing with outdoor parties, you're not stuck in a confined space with people you don't want to be stuck with, there's plenty of room to escape and avoid.
Walter didn't work too well, cuz there wasn't enough blacklight, but the troll with the flashing eyes went down a blast as it was quite dark! Made a few new friends with his help. =o) Him and dom's flashing bracelett made a great team. *hehe*
Ran into Baz on the dance floor, who was having a *wonderful* time. =o) (banana's baz!! bunches and bunches of banana's!!!) *hehehe* Our Finnish friends enjoyed themselves so much, they put off their drive to germany until the last possible moment. (they had to start work in dusseldorf on monday morning at 6am). They have a handy habit of dropping into amsterdam 'just' at the point where there's a nice party happening. =)
Danyel was last up to dj, and horray! He finally played well! The last times I've seen him play I've been a bit disappointed, he seemed to lack the talent he had a year or so ago, boring sets, very little melody, didn't keep the crowd going at all. But saturday he seemed to be his old self, and kept the dance area full and hopping.
The rain stayed away all night, and dave was so pleased that he thanked Shiva by burning a replica of the staff or whatever that for example the infinity project used on the back and inside cd cover of feeling wierd? Sorry, i don't know the official title for it, can someone inform me? =o) Anyway, I do recognise the symbol, and dave made his offering.
What tickled me pink though was when a guy I know, Pete, with a very Liverpool accent, turned and asked me what they were burning the farmers pitchfork for. =o) It wasn't the question that made me laugh, it was the description of the staff. =o)
All in all, it was a great party. I reallyS enjoyed myself, I think everyone I was talking to enjoyed themselves as well. We left somewhere around 10 or 10:30am on sunday morning, and just as we were on our way back up the beach, the first rain started to fall. perfect timing - for us anyway. =o)
So nice to be able to find the odd party in Amsterdam like this one, with friendly folks and atmosphere. May there be many more!
groovy grins!
=o)
marita.
Welsh Caper September 1996 courtesy of Jim
Having just been exposed to the most wonderful free party of my life, held in an old farm in Cornwall (yes 500 mile round trip, no sleep, 12 hours dancing). I can sort of understand how good the Welsh woods thing must have been. This party went on and on and on - never ending it seemed.
We were still dancing at 12 midday. The music was the finest psychedelic trance ever to reach my ears. The hosts of this party were the legendary TIP. If you ever get a chance to get to a TIP party, GO it is an experience never to be forgotten. Plenty of free lemonade. Everything and I mean everything is laid on, even rooms to lay sleeping children in, bonfires, chill rooms, candle light grottos, superb decor and DJ's of monumental ability (Si Posford).
Never ever in my life have I been so contented . I rocked for hours not even able to speak a single word in case I broke the spell, people were pulling my arms, hugging me, kissing me, offering me all manner of nau-ghties but all I could do was smile even further and shrug that expression of "you know where I am and you don't really wanna disturb me do you".
Exodus July 1996 Exodus July 1996 courtesy of phil
Saturday I was quite monged out. I got up late, and everyone had decided to go to Exodus, after much vacillating (Ronan was having a birthday party at the Point/Hobgobblin which meant there would be Oxford fun although I was externally worn out after only 2 hours sleep having speeded last night away) I got carried along. I got a lift (along with Mark, Petra and Moje) in Chris's car and we went up to Eddies, where a huge convoy of Oxford people were amassing to journey to the Exodus free party/festival. Among the stalwarts there were Bone, Mazzer + g/friend, Cait, Tasha + female friends, Luton (big) Mark, Kettle, Quentin, and maybe a dozen others whom I knew less well. Duncan, Charada, Emma etc. were being driven up in a Joe's (female) van but had already departed. After much sitting about we finally set off at 11:30 which is a shame because I could have gone to Ronan's birthday do until 11 and still caught up with the Oxford
convoy.
The drive was an exciting plunge through the night (although sadly we lost Bone and Mazzer's car which broke down I think) arriving at Dunstable at 12:30 ish. We drove to a huge industrial estate to see an amazing sight. Lining the roads were 100 upon 100 of cars, all full of people, laughing smoking and drinking and waiting for the sign.
We sat about listening to loud music in one of the many car parks, chatting to people as the excitement built. I never thought that in these days of the harsh Criminal Justice Bill I would see such freedom again!
Then it came, an army land rover with a red flashing light filled with the Exodus "peace'' stewards (what it says on their jackets) passed and the roads were filled. A massive convoy of cars with all kinds of freaks set off. Surprisingly every rule of the highway code seemed to be obeyed and nobody queue jumped, instead we drove in an orderly line 5 or 6 miles long (at least). Now and then we would reach a junction and more Exodus people would point the way (they seemed to have several 100 volunteer organizers + quite a few vehicles, most ex army landrovers and lorries (good for cross country) painted with a red star). I was told usually there is no trouble with the police, who allow it to go on, tacitly acknowledging the fact that the crime rate plummets to nothing whenever one of these parties occurs. This time there was some police hassle though because we crossed a county line and went into Buckinghamshire and the beautiful Chiltern Hills.
We were near the tail end of the convoy and suddenly everything stopped. After a while of sitting in the car we saw several police riot vans whizz by followed later by some Exodux land rovers. After some sitting about listening to soothing classical music the word was passed down to park our cars and walk in. Some walking revealed that the police had set up a road block. Several Exodus stewards (now balacaved to avoid identification) and the police were having a heated argument, next thing I heard was a shout "get the bricks ready lads'' (lads was presumably us a crowd of about 200 onlookers), at this the police fled straight away, and for the rest of the night that was the last we saw of them. Ironic that the Luton city dwellers would tell us to get bricks ready on an isolated rural lane.
Chris and I returned to our car and drove in, making a quid donation towards the party. We got to a car park and soon located the others. The party itself was in a large valley, a big green belly button of the countryside. The valley was very steep (I think it was artificial, maybe a quarry in its past life) and we had "fun'' getting down. I scoffed my wrap of billy to wake me up and decided to explore the lip of the valley to get my bearings. This involved another huge climb and about 1 hour of walking taking me round the valley and into the dawn.
I was impressed, everyone was very very friendly and the vibe was excellent. Black and white, old and young, all partying through the night, I saw quite a few faces I had seen on the TV program about Exodus. There was no trouble and no bad attitude, they even allowed some jugglers with devil sticks onto the dance floor (perhaps they are too mellow), thankfully there were no bongo players. The sun rose to reveal a scorcher of a day, and a beautiful deep green on the hills. I decided to meet Uncle Ebeneezer with the help of a cup of tea and a bean burger (yes there was even tea there, how civilized!). The music was some of the best I have heard recently, contrary to what I had been led to believe there was no jungle, mostly really good techno with a good beat, as Eddie (the rasta man) said if you can jump you'll love exodus. But the friendly atmosphere made it (some people had even brought their kids). We partied on through one of the sunniest days this year (good job I brought my suncream) leaping and cavorting until about 5pm next afternoon. All in all it ranks as the best rave I went to (especially as it was "free") and perhaps one of the better events since the days of the free festivals!
Beach Front Party Beach Front Party
June 1996 by Mark
At the last mo plans for hitting RTTS at the Fridge on Friday were shelved as words reached our ears of a free open air party to be held at a southern seafront location on the Sat night. The rumours were from 2 very reliable sources and the dj's were to include top goa trance dj's (amonst others)..... weather forecast brilliant................... who could resist.
Just in case the whole thing blew out TRIP web pages were scanned for a back up party but the nearest psychedelic one was the Spacehopper in Brum which was too far to go from where we were going. So it was shit or bust.
90 miles down the m25 and other motorways flashed by in no time and we soon found the location as other potential revellers were all about town at pub kicking out time wandering down to the beach front. T'was a fine but cool night. We still had the feeling that it may or may not happen and this added to the excitement.
We parked up down a deserted beach path and stumbled down to the front, ears straining to hear any repe-titive beats.
Other guys were all around us some clearly pissed up and just along to see what was going on down their town. We followed some distant sounds and soon found ourselves at a party right on the seafront under tall white cliffs a long way away from anywhere. Generators were powering sound rigs, lights and visual projec-tions. Perhaps 150 people were dancing about to the hard trance sounds.
The psychedelic sound people 500 yards up the front were having trouble with their supplied generator (the organisers had supplied 110v instead of 240 v) and it wasnt till the early morning that they worked miracles and managed to get some sort of sound out of their equipment. So we went back to the hard trancey sounds and tried to get into it (with considerable success - similar music to EFS) and whilst it did not trans-port us to those special places that only psychedelic trance can the sheer energy had us freaking hard on the floor.
More people added till I guess there were 400 or so total revellers there some sitting around fires some sit-ting in perches in the cliffs or just walking along the beach. Pissheads as usual fucked off about 2am to leave it to the enthusiasts and the vibe whipped up. Plod appeared along the front and visited for 10 mins and viewed proceedings from their car, and to their credit did sod all and just turned around and went away.
Although free we gave 10 quid between us as a donation to the cause. The best bit was freaking whilst slowly becoming aware that light was creeping up on us and dawn broke at 4am to bring a different atmos-phere to the party.....it was a further full 2 hours before the sun burst brilliantly over the cliffs and the dancers caught each others eyes grinned and yelled as the dj put on a massive number which brought the party to a pinnacle. I will remember that moment for ever.
We wandered down to the psychedelic end of the beach as word reached us that they had pulled of the impossible and got their equipment to work. Here we freaked some more and was reminded just how much difference there is between good psy trance and the stuff we had enjoyed earlier. There was amongst the revellers some of the biggest names on the psy trance scene revelling in the ultimate a free party on the beach with perfect weather.
Some early dog walkers must have wondered what the bloody hell had hit their quiet little backwater.
Suddenly limbs got tired as the now very hot sun beat down on us and we decided to leave. GOD KNOWS how many people I shook hands with, grinned and struck up brief conversation with, all guys reciprocated and I must say it was a very very special party and the long drive back was done with a cheshire cat grin and the thoughts of 'can this experience ever be topped? There were people who had travelled a long way for the experience and were not dissapointed. It was fair to say that the organiser was blown away by the number of people attending his bash............ he was on one from the success.
Solstice revellers warned off parties BBC News
Summer solstice revellers heading for Stonehenge have been warned off holding any unlicensed "mass gatherings" after the event.
Police in the neighbouring county of Hampshire say they will not tolerate any illegal parties after Saturday's solstice.
Officers are to be out in force in the area between Basingstoke, Andover and the Wiltshire border to thwart any attempts to hold parties.
Up to 30,000 people are already expected to gather during Friday in preparation for the solstice at Stonehenge.
Superintendent Mark Chatterton, Andover's divisional commander, said: "We are not being killjoys, we are all in favour of people having a good time provided the event is properly licensed to ensure that it is safe for everyone.
Speakers seized
"Last month 25,000 people attended the Homelands Festival near Winchester - they enjoyed themselves in a safe and properly organised environment.
"We will not stand for anyone setting up any sort of event that has not been through the safety and licensing process and there is nothing that meets that criteria in Hampshire around the solstice."
The police have said that sound systems and speakers will be seized in the event of an unlicensed gathering.
The Ministry of Defence, a major landowner around Andover, is also working with police to ensure that their sites are secure from occupation by solstice revellers.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/hampshire/dorset/3005674.stm
Stonehenge’s summer solstice goes ahead BBC News
Tighter controls are planned for an expected 23,000 visitors to Stonehenge for the summer solstice.
New restrictions this year will mean visitors will not be able to get onto the site until 0200 BST and will be banned from bringing sleeping bags.
The stones will be open from 0200 BST to 12 noon on Saturday 21 June, and access will be free.
Visitors face random searches before entering the site.
Dr Simon Thurley, chief executive of English Heritage, said: "We are very pleased to welcome people to Stonehenge to celebrate the summer solstice.
Conditions of entry:
No climbing on the stones
No large bags, rucksacks or sleeping bags
No fires, flaming torches, candles or fireworks
No amplified music: acoustic only
No dogs or pets
No tents or garden furniture
No glass or cans
No bikes
"We have set conditions of entry which are in accordance with our duty of care to the public and to Stonehenge."
Kevin Carlyon, a self-confessed white witch, told the BBC: "I can see where they are coming from.
"Plastic only is a good idea, for example, as people do try and scratch their initials into the stone with pens and so on."
English Heritage says drunken, disorderly or antisocial behaviour will not be tolerated and that only small amounts of alcohol for personal use will be permitted.
English Heritage reserves the right to refuse admission.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/wiltshire/2996450.stm
When Ned’s attack A party held in a park in Glasgow last weekend was attacked by a group of 'Neds',theres a bit more about it here
This goes a bit beyond the usual sort of trouble you could expect from a party and is unusual for anything like this to happen around here..anything like this ever happen to anyone else?
Earl asks ravers to leave private woods BBC News
An earl whose estate is being used for an illegal party has appealed to ravers to leave the ancient forest which he says is being damaged.
About 800 revellers have been gathered in Savernake Forest in Wiltshire since Saturday evening.
Accompanied by two police officers, Lord Cardigan is leafleting the ravers asking them to stop the party and avoid further damage to the 1000-year-old woodland, which is a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
The leaflet says the privately-owned forest is "clearly being harmed by this invasion by wheeled vehicles and the number of people present".
It asks: "We hope you share our concerns and we therefore ask that you move from here today, thereby eliminating the risk to the forest that was so present last night and allow the forest to recover".
Wiltshire Police have stopped anyone joining the 800 already at the forest and were meeting to discuss how to break up the gathering.
Illegal rave stopped by police 15:22 Wednesday 5th March 2003
URL
A PLANNED rave was stopped by police on Friday night.
Hills Garage, in High Road, Leytonstone, was the arranged meeting point for another illegal rave. The borough has seen two large raves in the past few weeks.
The first was held at the former EMD cinema, in Hoe Street, Walthamstow, when hundreds of party-goers trashed the listed building.
Weeks later, ravers descended on an empty factory in Sutherland Road, Walthamstow, and diced with death as they danced close to containers filled with toxic chemicals. They also wrecked that building.
But officers were prepared this time when they heard about a rave taking place at Hills garage.
A police spokesman said there were no further details, but officers foiled the rave at Hills, which has been targeted by ravers in the past.
The garage is currently subject to a planning application to turn it into a two to four storey residential development. This will include 18 seperate homes - three houses, six two-bedroom flats and nine one-bedroom flats.
Local residents are opposing the plans and have started a petition to send to the council. They claim the site will be over-developed, and that there is a lack of parking and play space for children.
Bushwood Area Residents Association has also objected to the plans. They have instead recommended that the council insists on a low-rise development.
Police stop all night rave in a quarry 15:00 - 15 April 2003
URL
Residents in Box were kept awake by loud music when up to 100 young people gathered for an illegal party in a disused quarry. Thumping beats could be heard across the village into the early hours of Sunday.
Police and environmental health officers were called out after a flood of complaints from local people who could not sleep through the noise.
The first report was received at 2.39am when police attended the site - on private land at the top of Quarry Hill - to assess the situation.
Officers stood at the entrance and turned away other revellers hoping to join in with the partygoers, and when daylight broke they persuaded the group to pack up their equipment and leave.
Some villagers were annoyed that nothing was done earlier to switch off the music.
However, the police said they acted promptly in the circumstances.
At 10.45am police officers, landowner Tim Barton and environmental health officers went on to the site.
The partygoers were formally asked to move on and a noise abatement notice was served.
The group wanted to carry on for another 15 minutes but they were told a magistrates' warrant would be sought to confiscate the sound system.
They then packed up, and collected litter before moving off the site.
Inspector Jon Tapper of Trowbridge police said the site was in darkness and potentially dangerous so it was necessary to wait for daylight.
He said people were seen drinking alcohol but that there was no evidence of drug taking.
"It appeared to be quite an impromptu gathering of young people in their 20s and from the Bath area.
"No arrests were made and the general conduct of the individuals present was orderly.
"The site was somewhat raised and the embankment around part directed the noise downhill into Box and the valley.
"The location of the site did not lend itself to it and, if anything, amplified the noise even further.
"Some people were concerned it had taken so long to deal with the incident.
"But when you are dealing with these sort of incidents early intervention is always desirable.
"Once the party has started it's difficult to act swiftly to close it."
Box Parish Council chairman Derek Lovell said: "I had several parishioners complaining of the horrendous thump, thump noise. Many couldn't sleep.
"I appreciate if there are 100 or so people and one or two policemen it would not be wise to take them on.
"Hopefully it was a oneoff and they will go and bother someone else.
"It is a worrying thing because, no doubt, there are other things attached than just the music.
"I don't know if there were any drugs there."
But not everyone was up in arms about the noise.
John Arundel, owner of the Quarryman Arms, said: "I sympathise but I think it is fair play. I don't really worry about it.
"I think they have to enjoy themselves here and there."
cold pizza and a warm beer hey who's up for late night pizza and beer anybody want to go hit an allnight flapjack house and sit and chat,anybody care to go and sit and chill to some deep house that just takes your mind away if so hit me up i'm always looking for a late night of good house cold pizza and warm beer..............whats your nights like
