Categories: uncategorized
Date: 26 March 2010 11:40:55
Health and Safety gone mad? Police repression of the free festival circuit? Back to scape-goating alternative lifestyles? An example of the effects of contemporary moral panics. Take your pick, whatever way it appears that the organisers have had to cancel Strawberry Fair because of the police approach to the festival. Strawberry Fair side of the story here, police side of the story here, Sprial Earth take on it here and bit of build up from the local BBC site here.
Now for those who don't know Strawberry Fair which takes place at the beginning of June in Cambridge is in someways the beginning of the festival season. It is a free festival which takes place on Midsummer Common and involves music, arts and stuff. It is a one of those events where people come together on common ground to sit around listening to music, meeting their friends and having a bit to drink. Because of the cultural mix going on there is also a bit of drug use in terms of weed and legal herbal highs particularly , (which I don't condone or indulge in, but accept as part of that culture for some people). Now, I understand the effects of this environment are not always great particularly if the brew crew decide to use it as an excuse to over induldge and it becomes a bit of an intimidating atmosphere but it is not as intimidating I would argue as any city centre environment on your average Saturday night.
Additionally there are a couple of things worth noting if you read through all of the accounts:
1) To deal with the issue of people urinating in inappropriate places the organisers were planning to double the amount of toilets (BBC article)
2) Despite the police's claim they did not aim to close down the festival they did employ a top lawyer to "fight" against the licence application. (Strawberry Fair Website)
3) This was not a fly by night festival. It was an established event which is supported by the arts and culture department of the local council, but not paid for by it, (the majority of money for it comes from the fees traders pay for pitches). (Strawberry fair website and Cambridge City council website which I have not linked to).
4) There has, since the mid 80's (and before) been pressure on anything which has been seen as supporting alternative lifestyles. After it has become clear that repressive legislation like the 1994 Criminal Justice Act couldn't stop alternative culture health and safety has been increasingly used against it aswell as specific parts of the law. It is interesting to note, as in many other cases of this sort, that when the statistics are given the majority don't relate to crimes against the person or property in the normal way. One could understand it more if the problems were related to violent or threatening behaviour but no, the majority appear to be related to possession of a certain drug and urinating, (which again they were going to deal with by more toilets).
5) This type of event supports local talent (Strawberry Fair site and Sprial Eye). The nature of the event can give a showcase window to some artists who might not otherwise get it.
6) History shows that if legitimate, safe, licenced events like this one are cancelled that a small minority will set up their own events which have neither the planning or provision that these type do. This is problematic (1) for local residents, (2) for the tax payer who then has to foot the bill for "the police response", 3) wider festival culture which is thrown into disripute through the actions of those who feel they have to break the law due to the disrespect for and repression of their culture by the authorities.
I could go on, but I won't. Simply to say I look forward to seeing Strawberry Fair coming back stronger in 2011. Also if anybody knows how the local churches in Cambridge have been responding to this one I'd be interested. Perhaps a local arts day for some of the artists who won't now get to show their work or something could be an idea.
I leave you with Attila the Stockbrokers Doggy on a String which gently mocks the type of people who the police are trying to crack down on, but also sums up the appeal of the festival in a strange way.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87KJBNJbR58[/youtube]