Cambridge cops have failed in their bid to shut down the popular Strawberry Fair.
Cambridge police had labelled the event a “drugs fair” and claimed that it led to anti-social behaviour, in particular drugs use.
The event has been criticised by some residents, including Jesus students, who complained about drug use and excessive noise.
But Council bosses ruled that the event will be allowed to take place on Saturday June 5th on Midsummer Common.
Anji Jewett, a resident of the area, told The Tab that she welcomed the council’s decision: “People might complain about a few people smoking dope, but no one ever does any harm and it’s a fun, family event.”
She said that Strawberry Fair was a rare example of “community spiritedness” and called on other residents to “stop moaning and join in the fun.”
Strawberry fair, which is popularly known as ‘Strawbs,’ has been running every year since the 1970s, and is largely popular with locals. Its manifesto states that its purpose is “the benefit of the local community, particularly the children.”
Organisers say it “has become part of the City's fabric and is a highlight of the Cambridge calendar. It has long standing and deep links with many of the city's charities, arts groups, traders and local volunteer groups".
The council granted the licence on the agreement that the fair would reduce the number of stages from 6 to 3 and ban the sale of legal highs such as Mephedrone.
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got caught by plain clothes police smoking a spliff there last year. they proceeding to give me a cannabis warning, assure me repeatedly that it meant fuck all and wouldn't affect my future career so I really shouldn't worry about it, failed to check for id (why oh why didn't I just give them a fake name?), didn't even check my bag/pockets to see if I had anything other than the j i was smoking on me, and then told me that if I was going to smoke later in the day I should make sure I did it in a crowd (rather than a relatively empty area like I was), as they wouldn't be stupid enough to take out their warrant cards in the midst of lots of drunk people. what a farce our drug laws are. even the police don't give a crap.
Fuck tha police.
The fair is good, up to a point. Around I think 3.30 it changed, the people who have been drinking are getting rowdy, the kids have generally gone home, the 'lighter' stands might have sold out/gone home. Then the fights kick off and more and more people are pissing wherever they can.
So the simple answer is to restrict their hours, not shut them down
Do you smell bacon?