​Farmers help rescue ravers’ vehicles from mud at free party in Wales

Police shut down an illegal rave at a former coal mining site in Pontypool, Wales, earlier this week, which was reportedly attended by around 300 people.

The unlicensed event took place on New Years Eve at The British, an old colliery site close to Talywain in Pontypool housing several derelict warehouses.

According to the South Wales Argus, the event began at around 11:PM on Tuesday, December 31, and ran on until the morning of Wednesday, January 1, with two stages set up inside the abandoned warehouses.

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After the event was shut down by local authorities at around 10:AM on New Years Day, nearby farmers stepped in to help ravers retrieve their vehicles from the mud, South Wales Argus reports.

According to the paper, local farmers charged ravers £20 per person to tow their cars out of the mud and away from the site.

Police noted that hire vans had been used to carry music equipment to the event, thought to be in an attempt to avoid license plate identification. Local authorities also added that music gear was set to be seized, and organisers prosecuted.

At around 11:AM on January 1, Superintendent Stephen Drayton confirmed: “The power to the site has now been disconnected and we've served a section 63 notice to those in the area, directing them to leave.”

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"Raves can cause serious disruption to nearby residents, pose risks to those in attendance, and will not be tolerated,” he added. "As our officers continue to deal with the incident, and as people leave the site, we're asking the wider community to avoid the area wherever possible to avoid a build-up of traffic."

According to the South Wales Argus, dogs were deployed in the area, and a number of balloons used for NOS were discovered on site. Police also remained in the area in an attempt to catch those driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Locals took to Facebook after the event, with one writing: “Leave them alone. They always clean up after them and are not harming no one. Just trying to have a good time!”

[Via South Wales Argus]

Gemma Ross is Mixmag's Assistant Editor, follow her on Twitter