For those of you that
are grizzled freeparty veterans, you may not need to bother reading
this, for those of you that aren't,
please read on to find out how to help make life easier for us to do
what we do for you...
These pointers are for outdoor
freeparties generally, Stumblefunk specific stuff is in the members
section of the forum.
Getting There: The
party directions are normally on the partyline around 10pm on the evening.
Bring a fully charged phone, a good road map and someone that can read
it. A fullish tank of fuel is a good idea, as sites sometimes get moved
and are never near 24 hour petrol stations - you could be in for a longer
journey than you expected. Please try and have a full vehicle, lifts
can be found/advertised on our forum in advance. Drive carefully, as
country roads can be sketchy.
Parking: Very important.
Please park sensibly, NEVER partly obstruct or block roads, entrances,
exits etc. Nothing gets a party shut down quicker than obstructing the
highway, and access for emergency vehicles must be provided at all times.
If you see any ridiculous parking, try and sort it out or tell the crew.
Rubbish and recycling:
Please don't drop litter, especially glass and fag ends - use any bins
provided and bring a bag yourself to take at least your rubbish and
recycling home. Every site has to be cleaned before the crew can go
home, so PLEASE help. Getting hundreds of people's rubbish and recycling
off site can be a nightmare, please help and take some home with you.
Donations: The party
may be free, but it is far from free to put on. Please give generously
when you see a bucket being passed round, Or if you are leaving and
it hasn't done the rounds yet, offer a few quid to the crew at the rig
or café.
Fires: There's nothing
nicer than a fire to sit round at a party, but don't light 'em all over
the place, and never take wood from a tree, use fallen or dead wood
only, and not treated or painted wood - full of toxins and carcinogens
dontchaknow?.
Shit: For the love
of all things holy, bury it! And your paper - well away from any watercourse.
Everyone's least favourite bit of doing parties is cleaning up people's
shit and tissue after. Bring a trowel, or dig a hole with a stick or
your hands dammit. Or, alternatively, have a big shit before you leave
home.
Vandalism: Shouldn't
be tolerated. Respect your surroundings. If you see anybody trashing
things, ask them to stop and tell the crew. We can't party in beautiful
places, and then leave them looking like shit, tagged, littered or damaged.
It shouldn't happen at a warehouse party, let alone one in the countryside.
It's about temporarily reclaiming spaces, not denying other people the
chance to enjoy them later!
Bother: If you see
anybody who might be unwell, broken, in danger or trouble, do what you
can and tell the crew.
Police: If they turn
up, tell the crew as soon as you see them. Be fluffy, say good morning,
tell them what a great time you're having, although they are perhaps
best avoided if you are a little, ahem, distracted. Know your rights
- see the links for info. In the unlikely event that they threaten the
party, get round the rig and keep dancing, the crew needs your support.
Don't forget to smile.
If you are ever stopped from
getting to a party, don't give up. Remember coppers have been known
to lie! Remember there is nothing wrong with what you are doing. There
is always a way round them and they normally give up after a while anyway.
It is a good idea to make
sure your lift is legal, and to keep any luggage packed away until you're
on site. If you are ever questioned on your way to or from the party,
please don't tell them who's organised it. Or how you found out about
it. Try not to have a flyer for the party on the dashboard etc.
Handy stuff to bring:
A torch, it's really dark in the woods at night, you know. Water, a
bit of food, waterproofs, lots warm clothes (even if it has been a hot
day), nice attitudes, good vibes and your mates.
Another very good thing to
have is a reliable person to drive you home who isn't 'tired and emotional'.
No, seriously.
Wicked - see you at the next
one!