ENTITLED AND SELFISH: ANGER AT NYE PARTY
FIREWORKS AND SOUND SYSTEM AT GATHERING OF ‘HUNDREDS’ AT NATURE RESERVE
POLICE broke up a group of people who breached coronavirus rules by gathering on New Year’s Eve.
They were seen on Narroways Hill in St Werburghs on Thursday night, despite Tier 3 only allowing up to six people to meet outdoors if they are from different households.
Police intervention did not seem to deter people from attending, however, with neighbours reporting that “hundreds” of people had gathered there by midnight, allegedly with a sound system.
Avon and Somerset Police confirmed that it was called to the “Narroways Road area” at about 9.50pm and broke up a group of people.
A force spokesperson said: “Officers engaged with a number of people there, words of advice were given around Covid-19 regulations, and the group dispersed.”
Police did not specify how many people they found, but a large gathering was reported there by nearby residents as midnight approached.
Posting on the Narroways Nature Reserve page on Facebook on Friday, Harry Mac thanked the majority of people who avoided Narroways Hill at New Year.
However, he added: “We believe hundreds of people did go up there.
“The rubbish left on the hill was described by a volunteer as the worst they had ever seen.
“There were sound systems up there, and even dozens of people in the Church Field, crowded together.”
Anyone following the page who went to the gathering was encouraged to unsubscribe as “we don’t want you here”.
Mr Mac, who is a trustee of the Narroways Local Nature Reserve group, shared a candid message with people who attended.
His post continued: “You obviously don’t respect St Werburghs Nature Reserve, care about the environment and you sure don’t care about community health.
“Your sense of entitlement and selfishness meant you couldn’t give up a single New Year’s Eve party for the greater good, even when a more virulent form of Covid-19 is rapidly spreading.
“Let’s hope you don’t kill your gran or dad.”
An image shared alongside the post appeared to show a line of people silhouetted against the hill.
Mr Mac told the Post that he felt “let down” by the police response.
He said: “We are not even sure if they got up to Narroways Hill.
“We heard rumours of a party at about 5pm and told police, and phoned them at about 10pm when there were numbers there.”
He said by midnight he could see about 60 people in Church Field and there were reports of many more on the hill, estimating there were “hundreds” all together.
He added that attendees had sound equipment “on trolleys” and were “dragging them up” to the hill.
Music and fireworks could apparently be heard in the direction of the hill.
The nature reserve is bordered by Mina Road, St Werburghs Park and the railway line, and can be accessed on foot via several neighbouring residential roads.
In June, police were called to Narroways Road following reports of a “large party” there, also in breach of coronavirus rules.
Mr Mac said trustees are due to meet with police to discuss the response in future, and if any further prevention measures should be taken to deter people from partying there.
Your sense of entitlement and selfishness meant you couldn’t give up a single New Year’s Eve party for the greater good. Let’s hope you don’t kill your gran or dad Harry Mac