New footage has emerged showing the sheer scale and continuing activities of the illegal rave in Cornwall. The video with drones shows that the revelers are still dancing in some parts of the site, with people, vehicles – and a lot of mud – scattered over a huge area.
The illegal gathering continues on its third day, although footage of the Hobby Mounts, which you can see above, shows that the huge crowd of hundreds is scattered to some extent, with quite a few empty spots. The participants, who had traveled all the way from Scotland, left, although dozens still remained at Davidstow Airport, near Camelford.
It all started around 10 pm on Friday (June 3rd), when police were alerted as organizers erected an arena of festival scale, grandstands and a camping area. They said they were creating “80 crews” with huge speakers and sound systems.
Read more: Live coverage of Saturday’s rave and developments can be found here
Since then, residents of Camelford, Delabole and the rest of the area have reported hearing loud electronic music almost constantly. The music, some locals say, keeps them awake around the clock and can be heard clearly for miles around.
Police quickly intervened to try to break up the rally, but instead surrounded the rave – described as “illegal gathering” by police – to prevent more people from entering. The A39, heading for the area, remains scattered with cars and tents belonging to people either inside the rave or staying in the area trying to enter.
Get the best stories about the things you love the most, selected by us and delivered to your inbox every day. Choose what you love here
Inside the arena, there are huge speakers decorated with a banner with a skull and crossbones, as well as an unknown number of ravers who are still partying. Witness and local estimates suggest that there are potentially several thousand people, including those left outside the arena.
Yesterday morning (June 4th), participants said they had traveled across the country to attend. Some said they came all the way from Scotland or Oxfordshire, making a few hundred miles a two-way trip.
They were described by Delabole photographer Adrian Jasper, who visited the site, as “respectful” and as if there to have fun. Similarly, some residents expressed sympathy for the ravers, either by visiting the site or simply by defending their right to a party.
Police deal with an illegal rave in Cornwall at Davidstow Airport while vehicles stop on the way out (Image: Adrian Jasper)
Meanwhile, other residents are fed up with the noise and potential consequences, and Devon and Cornwall police say things have heated up, especially at night. A police spokesman said “at least” eight arrests had been made in connection with crimes related to driving, drugs and alcohol, and were not linked to two alleged attacks on police officers.
Now the new video – shot around 3pm – shows dozens of vehicles, mostly minibuses, possibly sleeping – if anyone is asleep – as well as tents scattered across much of the countryside and former airport facilities. You can see people spinning, as well as pockets of merrymakers still dancing.
The big speakers and sound system settings are still in place. The vehicles leave regularly, with several police cars and minibuses scattered around the area. The activity takes place in forests and fields, many have left the mud bath, although the video does not seem to show much garbage left around.
More coverage of the illegal rave in Cornwall
Photos and video show that Davidstowe is a rave in action
Davidstowe’s Illegal Rave: “Thousands Travel Across the UK”
Davidstowe Moore Rave: Police work to close “illegal collection” – latest updates
Illegal rave in Cornwall: Secret text shows reason for free party and sweet message to ravers
Illegal rave in Cornwall: Police officers attacked at a gathering in Davidstowe Moore
Illegal rave in Cornwall: Arrests at a gathering at Davidstowe Moore near Camelford
Illegal rave in Cornwall: The Queen was spotted at a free party, now in its third day
One night it became clear that the rave was organized to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the largest free party in the United Kingdom, Castlemorton Common in 1992. It had 20,000-40,000 people in attendance, slightly more than the gathering at the former RAF base in Davidstowe.
Yesterday, a secret text message was posted on Facebook, used to organize the party, which reveals more about how this rave came about. He asked those present to “respect the locals and the authorities” and leave the area where they found him.
Despite early rumors, the rave has nothing to do with the anniversary. However, the “Queen” was spotted in the arena last night. You can read more about it here.
As the end of the anniversary weekend is enticing, the rave is still going on. Contradictory rumors that the music is fading, compared to the fact that it is still loud, are flying left, right and center.
Devon and Cornwall police, meanwhile, said the situation was in a “variable” state and that officers remained in place.
A full statement from the forces, read earlier today, said: “Police remain at the scene of the incident in Davidstowe Moore following reports of illegal collection. The employees have been on the scene since about 10 pm yesterday, June 3. A significant number of specialized police resources have been deployed in the area and are working to safely manage the current situation.
“The event is currently covering a fairly large area and we believe that several hundred people are present. Some people left this morning, while others who tried to enter were rejected.
“In the interest of public safety, we ask anyone who intends to attend the event not to do so. I would like to assure the local community and the general public that we take this issue seriously and, where appropriate, we will seek to take action against those who attend and manage the event. “
“There is currently a police cordon around the site and a number of local roads in the area until further notice. There is heavy traffic and traffic congestion around Camelford and other areas, so drivers should expect delays and be urged to avoid the area.”
Read more related articles Read more related articles
Add Comment