boom town fair

[Guest]

As barmy as ever, but glorious all the same.

Spent a rather lovely Thursday night with the lovely Pilton Digger, the very fragrant Deebeedoobee, the ever sparkly Seantizz, the wonderful Kerplunk and the bloody gorgeous Frostypaw.

Husband currently ill on sofa with Boomtown flu

Wish you were all coming to OneLove this weekend.

It was a fab evening Kizzie, finally met the owner of the right eye and it was a wonderful start to the weekend. We will see Seantizz and Kerplunk at Shhh, maybe yourself and Neil at PP or Tokyo Dub? Enjoy One Love, this is our weekened off. Frosty, shame we missed you for Babyhead but we will see you anon, great to have some time to share a beer or three.

The weather was a bit apocolyptic up in the CV field, the highest point for miles but not the worst we have seen, Val the van did us proud. I must admit I am a bit tired, maybe I have that flu thing Neil has contracted.....

[philipsteak]

you sure you are not confusing concern with amusement

I hope the weather played nice in Winchester and missed you guys in the main

I'd have been OK with amusement, but no, definitely concern. Was quite sweet at times

[Guest]

It was noticeable that everytime someone was seen by the stewards that could have been comatose/medicated, they would check that they were OK. After last years K death it was a good thing to see.

[Jackmypie]

Oh dear,please look out for each other at Boomtown,its horrible when things like this happen.

http://www.hampshirechronicle.co.uk/news/11399794.Woman_dies_at_BoomTown_Fair/?ref=var_0

That's terrible I don't get why Ketamine is such a popular drug at festivals though. Mixed with alcohol it can be deadly and well everyone drinks at festivals.. edit: opps, I read it wrong, I was talking about the other girl at the bottom of the article!

Edited August 12, 2014 by Jackmypie

[Staff_Sav]

It was noticeable that everytime someone was seen by the stewards that could have been comatose/medicated, they would check that they were OK. After last years K death it was a good thing to see.

My friend was stewarding and tried to have a nap inbetween shifts but had people keep coming around to check she wasn't dead. She said although it was a bit annoying, the fact that people were concerned was comforting so she wasn't too bothered, just really sleepy

[Harry3]

http://www.hampshirechronicle.co.uk/news/11403071.Winchester_coroner_reveals_identity_of_BoomTown_death_woman_as_Lisa_Williamson/?ref=var_0

Cause of death was "hanging", sounds like a horrible accident

[eFestivals]

Cause of death was "hanging", sounds like a horrible accident

it does.

It also sounds impossible to do in a portaloo, so gawd knows how it happened.

[frostypaw]

it does.

It also sounds impossible to do in a portaloo, so gawd knows how it happened.

I had my ear chewed off by an irish lady for half an hour about this (the festival's lowest point) and the three lads who found her were very shocked - it wasn't in a portaloo but one of the composting blocks or so I was told then. They had overarching bits for the rain shield

Terrible stuff but very glad they've cleared up something about it - was getting tired of seeing everyone screaming drugs.

[eFestivals]

ahhh, the composting loos makes much more sense. I'm perhaps not the most imaginative, but I just couldn't see how that was possible in a normal portable toilet.

[frostypaw]

Sadly doesn't really sound like an accident but a terribly timed breakup. I did 2007's glasto with a relationship collapsing around me, one of the lowest points of my life being so sad in the place that made me the happiest I'd ever been alone in all those crowds

Ever since then I refuse to walk past anyone crying and alone. Never leave them at it - your hug and words could save a life

Edited August 12, 2014 by frostypaw

[**claire**]

Poor girl (& family) - awful goings on

[LondonTom]

Hanging?! How awful

I guess now its not drugs related, the media won't be to worried about the story.

[Guy Incognito]

Extremely sad news about the death, thoughts obviously go out to the family.

I thought the festival felt a lot tamer than last year, Arcadia especially was much quieter than the previous year and I couldnt help but think that the demographic of the crowd had changed as I witnessed a lot more 'lad' behaviour than before. That being said I absolutely loved the weekend as a whole and thought the new areas and stages in oldtown were brilliant.

[Mr Splodge]

Sadly doesn't really sound like an accident but a terribly timed breakup. I did 2007's glasto with a relationship collapsing around me, one of the lowest points of my life being so sad in the place that made me the happiest I'd ever been alone in all those crowdsEver since then I refuse to walk past anyone crying and alone. Never leave them at it - your hug and words could save a life

Why is it when you need up votes you have none left.

Totally my philosophy hugs and words are free if more people thought the same the world would be a much better place.

[A Guy Called Matt]

Why is it when you need up votes you have none left.

Totally my philosophy hugs and words are free if more people thought the same the world would be a much better place.

Absolutely agree with both you and Frosty.

[UEF]

Hanging?! How awful

I guess now its not drugs related, the media won't be to worried about the story.

I'd say what it's related to is probably still up for investigation - could be a variety of factors.

[RossTC]

Very sad story, my thoughts are with her family.

[tjamest]

If it was in the compost toilets below Mayfair. I used them on the Friday and there was a chain from the door securing the toilet roll and when i stood up i found myself tangled up in it with the chain draped around my shoulders. I guess, thinking back later on at night and in adverse weather conditions there was a possibility of this terrible event.

[amfy]

This could be really quite important information. Have you thought about contacting the police to tell them about this? Your experience says this could be an accident & this might not be clear any other way other than your experience.

[Gnomicide]

Article about security at BoomTown...

http://www.vice.com/en_uk/read/shadowing-boomtown-security-279?utm_source=vicetwitteruk

[eFestivals]

Article about security at BoomTown...

http://www.vice.com/en_uk/read/shadowing-boomtown-security-279?utm_source=vicetwitteruk

thanks - an interesting read.

[LondonTom]

Was a fairly intresting read! Especially being more concerned with the NOS canisters than drugs once through.

[eFestivals]

Especially being more concerned with the NOS canisters than drugs once through.

I'm guessing that's at the instructions of the organisers, who don't want their customers to be taking the hiss.

[frostypaw]

Article about security at BoomTown...

http://www.vice.com/en_uk/read/shadowing-boomtown-security-279?utm_source=vicetwitteruk

very interesting! tallies with conversations i've had with them (which is becoming an addiction the different angle is brilliant)

not as evasive about the state of people at the festival as I was lol

ps.

taking the hiss.

HAH! Edited August 13, 2014 by frostypaw

[5co77ie]

having read that:

http://www.itv.com/news/meridian/update/2014-08-13/police-say-crime-statistics-from-boomtown-were-positive/

Hampshire Police says it had a successful policing operation at the BoomTown Fair this year following positive initial crime statistics at the event. In comparison to previous years, reports of theft, criminal damage, assault and possession of drugs have reduced. There was an increase in the number of arrests for drugs supply offences which police say is down to a multi-agency approach

Approximately £70,000 of drugs were seized and £15,000 in cash was seized at the event under the Proceeds of Crime Act. Around 60 people were arrested and dealt with away from the event. The force says violence remained very low, with only four reports received. There was 64 thefts from tents compared to 82 immediately following the festival in 2013.

Chief Inspector Ian Whyton who oversaw policing at the event said, “I’m pleased that these initial statistics reflect a successful policing operation at BoomTown this year. In partnership with the event organisers and Winchester City Council, Hampshire Constabulary worked hard to ensure the safety of around 36,000 members of the public onsite... The festival organisers have also helped to target the supply of drugs, onsite especially by promoting an extremely powerful message from the family of Ellie Rowe about the dangers of drug usage."

With the licence going up by another 10,000 next year - it'll be interesting to compare these figures next year.

Edited August 13, 2014 by 5co77ie