Boomtown 2015

[wiskey]

TTK - the woman (I want to say her name is V but I can't actually remember) has no idea about drugs for starters, she's got a lovely marquee, with lovely colouring books and so forth for the kids ... but that's what she's geared up for, under 18's welfare ... ie 'lost kids'. Which is why they put her up by the kids field away from downtown where all the actual munters are. She also locked up and closed over night She said that it was too cold for her to work so if anyone needed her to knock on the caravan *waves in the direction of 5 caravans with no further explanation*

She also thought that all under 18's were 'hers' ... which is fine if we are talking lost kids, but a tripping hard 17yo is not the same thing at all and I do not believe she was set up for it.

These are all personal impressions though.

Welfare were treated very badly by boomtown last year, they are definitely needed but they were sited wrong, unsupported by the medics and their existence not really communicated to security.

I hope TKK step up this year. The fact that they have such a good relationship with the medics is the Number 1 reason I'm worried tbh.

 

[TheInsider]

The security have the police drugs folder on hand to see what's going around. The first 10-20 seizes are crucial as they tend to indicate what the drug of choice is. The medics and welfare will also be passing the information up. That's why Kendal Calling was nipped so quickly - two deaths and hospitalisations but they were able to get the message out quite quickly and reduce follow on issues. It also helps the medics know what to use to deal with stuff and the welfare to be able to recognise it when punters come into the tent. It means the UC can hunt more actively for what's being sold. Trouble is that there are cocktails this year - it seems to be the year when everyone just packs it all into a single hit and sees what happens. Seen some nasty reactions from people who have no idea what they are doing. The regular users are fine - they know what to do and what to expect - and how to react when it goes wrong. It's the 15-17 year olds that chase half tablets with half tablets that are the issue.

 

[wiskey]

That's why Kendal Calling was nipped so quickly - two deaths and hospitalisations but they were able to get the message out quite quickly and reduce follow on issues. It also helps the medics know what to use to deal with stuff and the welfare to be able to recognise it when punters come into the tent.

Those welfare people, the ones who did so well at KC (and everyone has said that) .... those are the ones the medics at boomtown took umbrage with and refused to allow back.

TTK need to up their game

ETA: let us not forget that these medics have a known history of dealing with someone who was having a bad trip by putting them in a single man tent and leaving them alone until they 'got over it'.

aarrgghhhh I don't even know where to start

 

[jimbarkanoodle]

Id of thought there'll be plenty of wonk about. Not like the good old days, but it is more gettable this year than last.

 

[TheInsider]

TTK weren't at Kendal - they were at YNot just down the road. They are at Boomtown. Don't know who was at KC. Worked with some cracking people from many companies over the years, some a bit "tea and granny" who get overwhelmed, some that want to turn the whole thing into a social worker singing circle - but some that just deal with whatever comes through the door. And all for free - they don't get paid. It's thankless - until the morning after when you see them coming back to the welfare tent to say thanks.

 

[wiskey]

TTK weren't at Kendal - they were at YNot just down the road. They are at Boomtown. Don't know who was at KC. Worked with some cracking people from many companies over the years, some a bit "tea and granny" who get overwhelmed, some that want to turn the whole thing into a social worker singing circle - but some that just deal with whatever comes through the door. And all for free - they don't get paid. It's thankless - until the morning after when you see them coming back to the welfare tent to say thanks.

I know TTK weren't at KC - Festival Welfare Services were.

And they are top quality, you can't get better, a mix of trained substance misuse specialists/harm reduction nurses/MH nurses/Festival workers/d&B dj's ... all of whom have plenty of experience of people and drugs.

 

[wiskey]

Anyway - back to boomtown ... I've packed just waiting for my lift to wake up and get in contact.

 

[pesh]

"i'm not surprised you're confused, you took a huge quantity of dissociative drugs and fell in a lake" SGP medical crew

 

[wiskey]

"i'm not surprised you're confused, you took a huge quantity of dissociative drugs and fell in a lake" SGP medical crew

"this is your trip, you took some drugs, now you are tripping, but it's your trip, and that's your arm, and your skin, and if you can see arrows going in to your arm they are your arrows'

(Welfare@NASS 2015)

 

[Kuso]

Tent thieves - I would have run slowly to that one...

They did- he was running towards them to escape the mob!

UC - don't bother looking. The ones we supply have a habit of getting nicked by the police they blend in too well!

Yeah, maybe worded that wrongly because I know the 'shiney shoes' days are gone, wasn't expecting descriptions or pointers! I also hope that they've more concerns than a bit of spliffage... the uniforms certainly didn't give a shit last year (yes, real police, not the rave unit ) as long as you were discreet or making an attempt to be.

So security in blue or black (and IME probably scottish?) i hope not to see them descending upon me en masse, especially considering I'd have done fuck all to deserve it and if it did come to a run in with them I'm not gonna be giving them any excuses to be trying out their new restraint techniques n that.

That's not good with someone like that - it should be a medical issue first then passed as needed to welfare. They do seem to want to pass from one to another. If there is any medical issue then they should deal before passing for welfare action. If he's just trashed, then I would have gone for friends/welfare as first option. Last time I injured myself the medical guys tried to charge me for paracetamol....!

tbf, it kinda was medical first with me there while my mate got security and then him agreeing that there wasn't anything actually wrong with him, he'd just partied too hard, and judging from the smell, it was mostly just booze. if we knew who he was or who his mates were that would definitely have been the first port of call but as we didn't, we thought we'd leave it to the professionals to get him to welfare... What was shit about that was that by Sunday night he still didn't know of any welfare facility or how to get in touch with them or anyone that'd know. And this is one of the more serious guys as the stewards near by were more munted than most punters at this stage of the game. The medics agreed there wasn't a medical issue but they didn't know anything about how to get to/ in touch with welfare either.

My mate and I often joke (maybe it's not) that when we get a bit too old for fully enjoying fests she'll end up doing welfare and me a medic. Not any time soon, I hope!

 

[JTG]

The medics agreed there wasn't a medical issue but they didn't know anything about how to get to/ in touch with welfare either.

Absolutely ridiculous situation, this stuff should be known by everyone.

 

[Kuso]

Absolutely ridiculous situation, this stuff should be known by everyone.

well with the post up above saying welfare closed at midnight, they genuinely mightnt have had a clue- no cause for him to be taking up space with medical, but what to do with him..?

 

[JTG]

well with the post up above saying welfare closed at midnight, they genuinely mightnt have had a clue- no cause for him to be taking up space with medical, but what to do with him..?

But welfare down the hill didn't. The Festival Welfare Services people at the bottom of the Magic Carpet who were apparently not asked back - the ones who were 24/7 and knew what they were doing

 

[Kuso]

I know TTK weren't at KC - Festival Welfare Services were.

And they are top quality, you can't get better, a mix of trained substance misuse specialists/harm reduction nurses/MH nurses/Festival workers/d&B dj's ... all of whom have plenty of experience of people and drugs.

Thats the sorta thing me and my mate can see us doing- she's a MH nurse and I've a bit of a medical background(ish) and know just the odd thing or two about drugs, but most importantly- when someone needs urgent medical assistance or just a cuppa and a hug and a chat

 

[Kuso]

But welfare down the hill didn't. The Festival Welfare Services people at the bottom of the Magic Carpet who were apparently not asked back - the ones who were 24/7 and knew what they were doing

oh, I'm getting a flashback... wasn't there something about them getting flooded at one point? still, its inexcusable

 

[JTG]

oh, I'm getting a flashback... wasn't there something about them getting flooded at one point? still, its inexcusable

Yeah they got flooded early on, had a trench dug round the marquee to deal with it

 

[Kuso]

Shit, I'll be there in 48 hours... just to try and find some semi clean (ie non smelly clothes), my tent, go to a business proposal meeting thingy (and prepare for said meeting) and work another night shift- just finished a coupla hours ago and then I've tomorrow to hit the pound shop for skins, lighters n baby wipes

apart from the 2015 trailer I've seen none of the lineup and don't wanna til I get there so shhhhhh! (is snopp really playing..?)

 

[TheInsider]

Snoop is good. Just watch for the mini-knobs who want to set up sodding mosh pits. Arseholes.

Everyone should do a stint in welfare - experience from both sides. I've been called to welfare to restrain people who were attacking staff. It's messy. I worked with some Green and Black Cross girls who were superb - just listened and spoke to the people in their care, drew them along the path and out the other side. Awe struck. Only young but had the connection that was needed.

Weed - nobody cares. Seriously. When you are stood in front of security trying to fist the joint and look cool - you don't. You look like an amateur. Just get on with it. Plod don't care. Security don't care. Unless it's over a foot long and we can't see through the fog. Just be sensible and don't go puffing with people with "youth" wristbands on - then we have no choice legally. Response will only react to a call and they will be quick and effective. I still do response sometimes and we only ever get turned out for shit calls. If you are compliant it's great. Just go with the process. If you aren't, it's messy. Look for the obvious response team leader and engage with them. They will do the hand over at control points. If you've been a dick - they will be told. If you've played the game - they will be told. And that has an effect on what happens next. Like I say - under 18 you've had it. Legally under the Duty of Care guidelines we have no choice but to give you over to Welfare.

 

[wiskey]

The medics agreed there wasn't a medical issue but they didn't know anything about how to get to/ in touch with welfare either.

Absolutely ridiculous situation, this stuff should be known by everyone.

See what I mean about medical not taking to FWS, they were RIGHT NEXT DOOR TO MEDICAL

 

[wiskey]

Thats the sorta thing me and my mate can see us doing- she's a MH nurse and I've a bit of a medical background(ish) and know just the odd thing or two about drugs, but most importantly- when someone needs urgent medical assistance or just a cuppa and a hug and a chat

IF you want an in let me know, or find me at boomtown for a chat

 

[TheInsider]

The compounds are normally co-located - medical, welfare, security so that they support each other. If the medics had comms then they just had to radio Event Control. Security are all given sheets, maps, briefings. If the medics aren't then that demonstrates their lack of ability in C3. Which is frightening considering their role. All some want to seem to do is get their fat arses in the pretend ambulance and turn the sirens on...

 

[wiskey]

Everyone should do a stint in welfare - experience from both sides.

With all due respect no they shouldn't. Or do you just mean 'everyone should watch what happens in welfare to understand what happens'? because that's different.

 

[wiskey]

The compounds are normally co-located - medical, welfare, security so that they support each other. If the medics had comms then they just had to radio Event Control. Security are all given sheets, maps, briefings. If the medics aren't then that demonstrates their lack of ability in C3. Which is frightening considering their role. All some want to seem to do is get their fat arses in the pretend ambulance and turn the sirens on...

worse, some have a FA certificate and get given the keys to a golf buggy and let loose with some O2 ... boomtown is one of the few places I've ever persuaded someone not to go to medical.

 

[TheInsider]

I meant that. Not everyone should work there! Everyone should be aware of their function and what they deal with. I think that the control function should all be pushed in there to watch at 4AM when it's at it's worst to see what their staff are dealing with - and remind themselves it's not all about VIP tents and afterparties.

 

[TheInsider]

Yeah - I deliver EFAW/FAW/FPOS-i training. I would crawl the other way with a sucking chest wound rather than let some people try and put a plaster on.

Bastard buggies.

 

[wiskey]

Legally under the Duty of Care guidelines we have no choice but to give you over to Welfare.

who have no choice but to keep you there ... with adults after about 15hours of tripping you can say 'look bruv it's been fun but you paid yer money go and enjoy the festival for a bit, and if it doesn't work come back' .... and shove them out into the night. With minors you are stuck with them. I had one cry at me for an entire DAY whilst we waited for her mum to drive across the country to get her. OMG give me strength!

 

[wiskey]

I meant that. Not everyone should work there! Everyone should be aware of their function and what they deal with. I think that the control function should all be pushed in there to watch at 4AM when it's at it's worst to see what their staff are dealing with - and remind themselves it's not all about VIP tents and afterparties.

I feel the same about 'event management' students, generally waify little blonde girlies with nice smiles who get given keys to buggies and then drive ABSOLUTELY ATROCIOUSLY!

(although tbf I might prefer them if I had a sucking chest wound)

 

[TheInsider]

Towers..? I don't remember any towers previously...

Oh, and meant to ask- what's with the asking if you kept the receipt thing for those bags? Just curious? Never had any faith in em anyway and sure nothing looks less suspicious than a thick plastic baggie with a ganja leaf on it...

So you can get your money back as they don't work...

 

[Larje]

Crew gates update - police sniffing about half an hour ago but a bit of civil chat and calmness under pressure and all was well.

Have an ace time, all. Fingers crossed the Friday rain is humanist rather than biblical.

 

[Jay-B]

My mate got stripe searched at homelands there years ago

They have an onsite police station, and if you are sniffed you are taken away to it and strip searched. Its incredibly harsh, and has happened to a couple of my mates in the last couple of years.

One mate got caught with loads of stuff, and is very lucky he didn't go inside for it. Luckily he got 2 years suspended.

y