Castlemorton rave - Review 2

Remembering Castle Morton

At the age of 20 and still living with my parents (I know!) the rave scene was very much all I lived for and all the ‘pleasures’ that went with it! How many people out there thought that their parents never knew what you were getting up to?   Looking back it was just a little obvious....to say the least!

One afternoon I had a phone call from my cousin Jody.  "You wanna come to a party? There’s already loads of people there, sounds really good", rather stoned I replied "umm err yeah!"    After telling the folks that I was just popping out and not sure when I’d be back, I met up with Jody and Dom at our local petrol station with a couple of mates.

Barely out of town and we’d run out of petrol. I’ll never forget that clapped out Chevette! In the warmer months there were always ants in the boot making their way to the back seats! (looking for a toke maybe?)  After a top up at another petrol station (we also topped up the car!) we were well and truly on our way, as far as Ledbury that was! "Which way to the free party?" we asked, only to be ignored by some rather friendly locals! It didn’t take long though to see all the buses and campers slowly making their way down the country roads. Think that might be the way!

A magical feeling was already being created. Just being part of that convoy gave you the feeling that this wasn’t going to be just ‘another’ free party. Excitement and curiosity was pumping through us like a class A!

On arrival the police were directing us in.....not much choice! Soon after we had parked up, we were approached by a rather ‘off it’ traveller. We had a brief chat about ‘the universe’ or something.  He sold us an oz of top soap, good price to! After sharing his pipe, we thanked him and went our separate ways.....great chap!

It was only then that we realised just what a party this was turning out to be. Happy faces were in abundance, people of all ages, ravers, hippies, skinheads, punks, all walking around like one big happy family. Sound systems were pumpin everywhere, a different tent, a different sound. Darkness soon fell, camp fires were blazing, lights and strobes shooting through the smoke filled sky along with the smell of hotdogs and burgers, creating a true festival atmosphere.

We found ourselves at the top end of the site, not sure which DJ was on the decks but it didn’t matter. It was then that we spotted Jason, an old friend we hadn’t seen for ages. He was dancing for England, god knows how many pills he had taken! We tried to approach him bit it was no use. Off his face was an understatement. Then, for some reason the sound system had to be turned off. Never mind, plenty more tents and decks to lap up. I’ll always remember Jody stood in this one tent watching some blokes dancing in the nude......nice!!!

I must have lost a few hours after this (as you do!) I next remember being in the centre of the huge circle created by buses and campers, spiral tribe I think! My mates had obviously drifted off somewhere, thank god Jody and Dom were still with me, the pulsating beats were starting to freak me a little. We then stumbled upon some of the ‘Brew Crew’ we had met earlier in the year. Everybody was at this party, incredible. I recall that huge mutha opening bottles with his teeth, then sharing his lager with us............nice one mate! I was feeling more chilled again now, happy faces everywhere...........but!

Waking up under a tree on the outskirts of the site to the sound of helicopters flying overhead, I’d most definitely  lost a few hours, or days!! Apparently  my mates had carried me there to chill out.   Jody was sat next to me asking if I was ok.

Sitting back in the Chevette, feeling rather exhausted is all I remember next (think the ants were even throwing shapes!) Dom was getting quite impatient stuck in the masses of vehicles leaving the site so he decided to take a sharp right.......down a bank into a shallow stream! Great! He then drove along this bloody stream, back up the bank onto the road (to the amusement of the onlookers) and even the police!

Returning home 4 days later with eyes like a panda, trying to act and look normal, I remember my mother asking "Did you have a good time?"

"umm err yeah! I been to a free party", to which she replied "Yes! I know! Saw you on Central News with a huge container of, booze wasn’t it, smoking a fag!"

Respect to Spiral Tribe, DIY and everybody else who, in my opinion, made that event the Woodstock of our generation. Wish I could remember more but......... I was just glad to be part of it :)

Mark Workman