Having missed out on Stokefest last year, I looked forward to seeing what it was like this year without having exams to worry about.
Back in the day, Stokefest was a nice little warm up for the summer festival season with Pride as the grand finale. Last time I went, it was a tree-huggy little event with some bands and barbeque. This year, it was packed to the rafters and I got to witness my first steaming. Bless.
UPDATE (OR THE MORNING AFTER THE DAY BEFORE)
This still wasn’t sorted at close of business today. Piss poor, Hackney Council.
June 9, 2008 at 1:10 am
I wish I could suggest this:
http://www.sigsauer.com/Products/ShowCatalogProductDetails.aspx?categoryid=7&productid=90
But ya’ll outlawed these things awhile ago, and now ya have hoods running amuck without frear of reprise.
When are you guys gonna take back your city?
June 9, 2008 at 6:06 am
Take back the city? Surely you jest G. We handed over the keys years ago.
It was weird seeing the stampeed being formed. A few teenagers burst out of nowhere (behind us) and like a magnet, kids from all over raced to join them. All we could do was get out of the way.
I thought someone might have been stabbed and that was the reason for the running but PC B thought it was a classic steaming. She’s says it’s not even about what they steal. It’s the rush of stealing and perhaps stabbing anyone who gets in their way.
Nice.
June 9, 2008 at 8:41 pm
Steaming?? WTF
June 9, 2008 at 9:57 pm
You gotta see the helpful link I’ve provided. Like building up a head of steam. I think the Americans call it “wilding”.
September 10, 2008 at 2:22 pm
Hi
I’m one of the core organisers of Stokefest… and I’ll tell you now I’m not working for Hackney Council!!!! In fact we’re all volunteers who started a not for profit company to continue the Stoke Newington Midsummer Festival tradition.
You are right though. This year was way too crowded, and the fences (which were a much fought over license condition I might add) were a disaster. I’m not sure if we can ever do it again to be honest, with the sheer number of people that seem to want to come. What people never seem to see is that we didn’t even do a poster or a flyer this year, and haven’t for years now. We even force Time Out and other papers not to write a word about us until after the event to try to avoid this years influx of pissheads.
It’s a shame. We are now basically in a position where we either wrap the whole festival in steel shield like a commercial festival and only let in Hackney postcodes till we’re full or er…. give up.
What do you think we should do? Genuine question.
Robin