A large illegal radish in North Cornwall has yet to show signs of stopping, with police still on the scene. Ravers performed at Davidstow Airfield, near Camelford, around 10pm on Friday (June 3) and erected a stage, stands and a festival-scale camping area.
Since then, residents of Camelford, Delabole and the rest of the surrounding area have reported listening to loud electronic music almost non-stop. The music, according to some locals, has kept them awake all day long and can be clearly heard for miles around.
Police moved quickly to try to break up the rally, but instead surrounded the radish, described as an “illegal refill” by police, to prevent more people from entering. The A39 in the direction of the area is still scattered with cars and tents belonging to people inside the radish or staying in the area trying to enter.
Live coverage of radish as things unfold can be found here
Inside the arena are large speakers adorned with a skull banner and crossbones, as well as an unknown number of ravers still partying. Witness and local estimates suggest that there may be several thousand people, including those trapped outside the “arena.”
Yesterday morning (June 4), attendees said they had traveled from all over the country to attend. Some said they had come from Scotland or Oxfordshire, which made it a round trip of hundreds of miles.
Delabole photographer Adrian Jasper, who visited the site, described them as “respectful” and apparently there to have some fun. Similarly, some residents have expressed their sympathy for the ravers, either for having visited the site or simply to defend their right to party.
Meanwhile, other residents are fed up with the noise and the possible consequences, and Devon and Cornwall police say things have warmed up, especially at night. A police spokesman said there had been “at least” eight arrests in connection with driving, drug and alcohol offenses, and that they had nothing to do with two alleged assaults on police officers.
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The radish was organized to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the largest free party ever held in the United Kingdom, in Castlemorton Common in 1992. It was attended by between 20,000 and 40,000 people, slightly larger than the meeting at the former RAF base in Davidstow.
A secret text message used to organize the party was posted on Facebook yesterday, revealing more about what this radish was like. He urged attendees to “be respectful of the locals and the authorities,” and to leave the area where they found him.
Despite initial rumors, radish has nothing to do with the Jubilee. However, the ‘Queen’ was seen in the arena last night. You can read more about it here.
As the end of the Jubilee weekend approaches, the radish still continues. Contradictory rumors about the death of music, compared to its strength, fly to the left, right and center.
(Image: Adrian Jasper)
Meanwhile, Devon and Cornwall police said the situation was in a state of “flow” and that officers remain at the scene.
A full force statement reads: “Police remain at the scene in Davidstow Moor following reports of an illegal rally. Officers have been at the scene since 10pm yesterday, June 3rd. A significant number of specialized police resources have been deployed in the area and are working to safely manage the current situation.
“A police spokesman said:” The event is currently covering a fairly large area and we believe there are several hundred people in attendance. Several people left this morning and others trying to enter were turned down.
“In the interests of public safety, we ask anyone who thinks of attending the event not to do so. I would like to reassure local communities and the general public that we are taking this matter seriously and, if we will try to take action against those who attend and direct the event. “
“There is currently a police cordon around the site and several local roads in the area until further notice. There is heavy traffic and disruptions around Camelford and other areas, so motorists should expect delays and they are asked to avoid the area. “
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