VILLAGERS say they had to go into a five-day “lockdown” after around 1,000 travellers arrived for a Christian festival.
Pubs, shops and churches in Cheddar, Somerset, were forced to close for the week after they were reportedly abused by revellers “causing havoc”.
The local football club also postponed a home match because of “a situation in the village”.
It’s believed the event, run by the Light and Life Church, an evangelical Christian movement led by the travelling community, is due to end today.
Around 150 caravans, campervans and trailers pitched up around a giant tent.
There were reports of anti-social behaviour, assaults and high-speed drag-racing.
‘LOCKDOWN’
Sedgemoor District Council said they had not previously been notified about the event.
Locals in the village – which invented cheddar cheese – claim revellers urinated in the street, spat at shop windows, smashed glass bottles and hurled rocks.
Many businesses were forced to close their doors to customers, and residents say they’re effectively “under lockdown” again.
Witnesses said youths terrorised staff and diners in a local McDonald’s before going behind the counter to grab meals and throw food and drink.
One local told The Sun Online that he and other villagers have been scared to leave home since they arrived.
The woman said: “I haven’t gone out much since they arrived, I’ve made the effort to stay at home and I think there’s probably quite a few who have done the same, because you don’t want any hassle.
“It was horrific when they first arrived here, because they were blocking up the roads, the traffic was awful.”
She added: “I think there was some rocks being thrown from the little bridge up the road earlier in the week, but I didn’t see that personally. I’ve just been trying to stay away from it.”
‘EGGS THROWN’
One local told the Weston Mercury: “The group plans to be here until the weekend and businesses have closed for the foreseeable future to avoid any trouble.
“I would guess there are between 500 to 1,000 people, maybe more, with some using the field as a toilet.
“Young people from the group have been into the town causing havoc by stealing or throwing eggs at houses.”
It comes less than two months after locals were “scared to leave their houses” after another Light and Life festival in Oakham, East Midlands.
Around 1,500 travellers arrived for the Christian religious event amid reports of anti-social behaviour.
Police said they would ramp up patrols after the camp was pitched in a field on the A371 Draycott Road.
Young louts from the “rally” went along the high street in Cheddar this afternoon shouting and acting as louts kicking rubbish boxes onto the busy main road
Angry local
One local blamed “louts” for causing chaos in the village.
Posting on a local Facebook group, they said: “Young louts from the “rally” went along the high street in Cheddar this afternoon shouting and acting as louts kicking rubbish boxes onto the busy main road.
“No when asked to stop and pick them up being met with a tirade of the foulest longest ever.”
Another wrote: “I saw elderly citizens approached by these louts and one lady almost pushed from her bicycle.”
A resident said: “To drive through Cheddar this afternoon was like a full lockdown again – I can’t think these businesses wouldn’t shut if it wasn’t serious.”
On Monday, the Riverside Inn and Restaurant told punters on its Facebook page that it was closing for the day “with immediate effect” due to “unforeseen circumstances”.
Mobile street food business, Rachel’s Grill, also announced their closure “due to the recent event happening in Cheddar this week”.
The event is taking place on private land, and councillors say they weren’t aware it was planned.
A local vicar today said he is keeping his three churches locked for the week.
Stuart Burns, who is responsible for St Andrew’s Church in Cheddar, Somerset, said: “Our story is that because of their reputation, which may be unfair, we have locked our church, and in fact the two other churches nearby that I am also responsible for, and we are keeping all three locked all week.
Organisers admitted “a lot of non-Christians attended” the festival, but denied there had been major problems.
An Avon and Somerset Police spokesman said: “We’ve received a small number of reports of anti-social behaviour in connection with an authorised encampment in Cheddar.
“The neighbourhood team will be carrying out reassurance patrols over the coming days and engaging with those in attendance.”
Source: The Sun
