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200 blow a collective Raspberry on Saturday June 5th.

Cameraboy | 07.06.2010 12:46 | Free Spaces | Cambridge

Despite plenty of black propaganda in the local press from the local police after they forced Strawberry Fair to close this year, about 200 people still turned up to have a peaceful and friendly protest on Midsummer Common on the day SF would usually happen, Saturday June 5th.

Very succinct.
Very succinct.

The true spirit of Rock'n'Roll!
The true spirit of Rock'n'Roll!

THIS LAND...
THIS LAND...

...IS OUR LAND!
...IS OUR LAND!

The biggest 'picnic' I've seen...
The biggest 'picnic' I've seen...

...in Cambridge for some time.
...in Cambridge for some time.

Ninja Power!
Ninja Power!

The only things being blown up...apart from the hype.
The only things being blown up...apart from the hype.

Moshing massive!
Moshing massive!

Plenty of raving gwan!
Plenty of raving gwan!

...and life was a Circus for others....
...and life was a Circus for others....

Juggling tings!
Juggling tings!

Hooplah!
Hooplah!

It was a balancing act for these guys.
It was a balancing act for these guys.

A variation of the 'Dog on a string' theme...
A variation of the 'Dog on a string' theme...

Say Cheese (with Bacon?)!
Say Cheese (with Bacon?)!

Release the Balloons!
Release the Balloons!

The only structure on the field that day.
The only structure on the field that day.

Can anyone read the serial number?
Can anyone read the serial number?


Although of course, attendance figures (about 200 people at its peak) would never compete with Strawberry Fair's usual numbers, this wasn't the point of the action.

My abiding impression of this event was that everybody who attended was very chilled out and friendly, with not even a hint of any of the violence that Cambridgeshire Police predicted there would be, with many people bringing along their children and dogs, which added to the overall 'picnic' vibe of the event.

As for 'ents' laid on spontaneously, Cambridge Community Circus turned up first, and many people had hours of fun juggling, playing with hoolahoops and plate spinning. I saw at least three different sets of sound system kit turning up during the day, with a staple sonic diet of Jungle, Reggae and Dubstep played all afternoon, and huddles of semi naked people (it was a gloriously sunny, hot afternoon, with a clear blue sky...) bouncing and moshing to the music, all with big smiles on their sweaty faces.

The true spirit of Rock'n'Roll was embodied in a very cool looking fella (see picture) who turned up with his Marshall amp and guitar, set it up under a tree in the middle of the common and started busting out his own solo brand of Rock Music - respect due for that!

An art installation strung up between two trees spelt out the message for anyone who might be in doubt about why we were all there - "THIS LAND IS OUR LAND".

Someone had come up with the idea of bringing along balloons for people to write messages on about Strawberry Fair, which were released later in the day.

The only structure to appear on the field that day was a white Gazebo with a 'Tarot' sign in front of it, although I don't think they were charging for readings!

I went home to get some food and take pictures off my camera, then came back, to find that despite torrential rain later in the evening, there was still by about 9:00pm roughly a hundred people huddled around a struggling sound system jumping about to Jungle, cheering and enjoying themselves, although by this time I was too tired and wet to be bothered about joining in!

As for the police presence, despite all the dark threats of riot police etc, on Midsummer Common itself, their presence was low key and minimal (the copper chopper showed up briefly a couple of times though), with the police conveying a fairly relaxed demeanour throughout, even posing for a couple of photos with partygoers.

I put it to them this was the CORRECT way to deal with this event, as there really wasn't any so-called 'public order' offences taking place, even though it was a protest party.

However, what they hoped to achieve by coercing the Strawberry Fair committee into closing down the event this year is a mystery, as in terms of police manpower deployed for the "Raspberry Fair" response to their actions, it was probably about the same, so if they were trying to save themselves money, they failed.

I agree with the previous post on this Newswire, that this event should definitely happen again, because not only was it empowering to make the point about using this COMMON LAND for our events, but it demonstrated that there is another way of doing things other than Strawberry Fair's big festival approach (both are valid though).

I look forward to the next Raspberry Fair (or whatever it gets called) - let's do another one this Summer!

Cameraboy

Comments

Hide the following 5 comments

The truth about the cost to police

08.06.2010 18:07

You miss the point about the cost to police. This year was significantly cheaper as there were less police than at the previous event and less work had to be done. Enforcing the law and filling in paperwork for the hundreds of criminals that get arrested at Strawberry Fair costs money and takes hundreds of hours.

David Moss


'Hundreds' of criminals??

09.06.2010 16:16

I suspect you overplay the statistics, once again to slander Strawberry Fair.

Please stop it, unless you have something more constructive to say about this community arts event, which many local people from different backgrounds contribute to and look forward to attending each year.

I should also point out that I too have performed at and contributed to this event for many years, and do not indulge in any law breaking activities at this or any other festival, so do not tar us all with the same brush!!

I note though that you probably won't oppose any of the May Balls going ahead, which are allowed to run all night every night for at least a whole week - sometimes longer - and yet last year Strawberry Fair had to close at 10:00pm.

Oh yes, and plenty of conspicuous consumption of alcohol ALWAYS occurs at EVERY May Ball, sometimes in plain view on the streets of Cambridge City Centre, or perhaps you turn a blind eye to this because the people consuming the alcohol are wearing expensive suits and Ball Gowns..?

If this is not a class divide, I don't know what is.

Cameraboy


lies, damn lies and statistics

10.06.2010 15:05

"hundreds of criminals that get arrested at Strawberry Fair" - when was that then?
Over the nearly 40 years it's been running there may well have been 100 or so people arrested in total - that's 2.5 per year.

If you're going to post spurious scaremongering, at least back it up with figures - otherwise take your libelous comments elsewhere.

anonymouse


Here's prrof.

12.06.2010 12:22

 http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/Cambridge/Police-book-400-for-drugs-and-disorder.htm

Over 400 people. Regardless of what you think of drug laws (I think we all agree they're confused at best) there's your proof you required. It isn't scaremongering, it's facts.

As far as I'm aware alcohol consumption isn't illegal, and colleges are not public land. I'd love to support the Strawberry Fair but under it's guise and organisation it's impossible to do so. Last week's event showed that a small scale event for local residents without a mass of stalls, stages and a bar should be the future.

David Moss


@ David Moss

12.06.2010 13:44

'booked' not arrest. work on your facts!

Party Goer!