Illegal raves 'disturbing Bristol residents'
Illegal raves which attract up to 1,000 revellers are shattering the tranquility of a Bristol nature reserve and disturbing residents.
That's the view of Harry McPhillmy, chairman of the Narroways Millennium Green Trust in St Werburghs, who says the gatherings are a threat to rare wildlife on the reserve off Mina Road.
He says small groups of people have always gathered at Narroways but believes raves have taken place more often this summer, most notably after the St Werburghs City Farm Fair in June when a rave lasted almost 24 hours.
Mr McPhillmy, who lives in St Werburghs, says the rave parties have been disturbing people living in nearby streets including Mina Road, St Werburghs Park, Dormer Road and Narroways Road.
He said: "After the city farm fair on June 13, there were about 1,000 people up there. They were there from 11pm until dusk the following day. There have been raves on successive weekends and it's becoming a place to go right through the summer.
"Amplified music draws a big crowd and it's not suitable in a nature reserve. There is a lot of trampling, trees being damaged, grass fires and people are leaving things behind, such as bottles, cans and even human excrement.
"It's the only natural area in the Ashley ward and we want it to be somewhere we can go to enjoy the wildlife."
Simon Whitby, spokesman for Avon and Somerset police, said: "Police are aware of all the issues and what we're asking the local community to do is to alert us to any incidents of disturbance.
"Then we can use legislation to break up raves to put an end to it."
4 Comments
by Carrie, St Werburghs
Saturday, July 11 2009, 1:22PM
“I helped to save Narroways from developers all those years ago. Since that time, all sorts of different people have been using the space sustainably for recreation and quiet gatherings around the fire pit. It was a fine example of people acting collectively to create the kind of urban environment we want. It makes me sad to see the amount of damage that a group of selfish people can inflict in one night. I believe if this continues we will loose this unique environment. There are plenty of places for large parties, but only one Narroways. Please don't trash it.”
by Des, Montpelier
Wednesday, July 08 2009, 10:16PM
“I just don't understand how people can have such contempt for this precious piece of land which is a nature reserve and community resource. It is not just Harry who cares about this - hundreds of people in St Werburghs fought to save it from developers and in so doing ensured that its unique character is preserved for future generations.
At a time when environmental concern has moved to the mainstream, it seems bizarre that we allow the desecration of one of Bristol's most valued green spaces.
Lets hope that from now on the local community can enjoy the tranquility of Narroways.”
by Guy, St Werburghs
Wednesday, July 08 2009, 6:08PM
“This story makes it sound a bit like Harry's the only person who's concerned about this.
Nothing could be further from the truth -- there are dozens, if not hundreds, of local residents who feel the same way. The hill is a peaceful, natural space, greatly valued by the local community as a place to walk dogs, get some fresh air, and enjoy nature.
While it's fine to have small gatherings up there, when there are hundreds of people, with amplified music, the disturbance to the local community, and the damage to the valuable grassland habitats on top of the hill and in the cutting, are insupportable.”
by Andy, BS1
Wednesday, July 08 2009, 8:28AM
“Shouldn't the title on this page be in inverted commas?”