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Tuesday, 9th February 2010

Move to fight Amber Valley BNP festival

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Published Date:
05 March 2008
Battle lines are already being drawn over plans to hold the British National Party's annual Red, White and Blue festival in Amber Valley again this summer.
Party member and former Heanor councillor Alan Warner hosted the event on his land near Denby last summer and despite major complaints from nearby residents says he plans to do so again this year.

Mr Warner said: "The application for a liquor and
entertainment licence has already gone in and we're waiting for the outcome of that.

"We wanted to get it banged in early because there will be more things going on here this year and more people. We've got another 14 acres to use this year thanks to a neighbour of mine opening up his fields.

"He was put off last year but everything went off all right so he says he's not going to be dictated to by the protesters and we can use his land.

"There was no trouble last time according to the police. They came onto the site four times a day and were quite happy."

Mr Warner promises the festival will be bigger and better than last year with a big wheel, dodgems, children's rides and even a massive blimp bearing the BNP logo hovering overhead.

A website has been set up to call for more organised opposition than last year when a lone protester with a placard saying "no to racism" picketed the site.

A spokesman for the nobnpfestival website said: "The BNP is a far right nationalist party. Its politics are divisive and designed to stir up hysteria around immigration.

"The RWB festival is intended to draw new recruits into the party and consolidate these disgraceful politics.

"In 2007, Amber Valley Council granted the organisers entertainment licenses in spite of widespread local protest. Anti-fascists did not mobilise in time to help stop the festival. We are determined that will not happen this year."

The site's organisers say they intend to draw together thousands of people who oppose the BNP and protest against the festival.

Mr Warner said: "If we're going to have thousands here protesting then let them come. This is a family festival and there'll be no trouble from us.

"I don't know where they're all going to park because they can't park on the road - we have on site parking for BNP members."



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  • Last Updated: 04 March 2008 2:58 PM
  • Source: Belper News
  • Location: Belper
 
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1

liberty boy,

04/03/2008 21:51:42
yes the BNP festivals are brilliant a real advert for how British people can behave. I hope as many people who care about britain and the way this country is going will make an effort to attend. The more Searchlight and the other sock puppets of New labour try to take away the freedom of ordinary decent British people the more determined they should be. I bet Searchlight and its afiliate champions of New Labour democracy have been trying to work on the local villagers trying to scare them with fears of noise and disruption etc the whole year through, ever since they failed to stop the last gathering. We mustn't allow freedom of assembly to peaceful law abiding tax paying british people, not in New Labour's Britain.
2

Ships-Cat,

Nottingham 04/03/2008 22:55:06
"Battle Lines" ? Well, that's strong language. And your journalist - Clive Whittingham - states that "major complaints from nearby residents" where received... but neglects to say who they where received BY.. or indeed, neglects to corroborate that any complaints where made BY anyone... TO anyone.

If complaints where received by the local council.. why didn't Clive speciffy this ? Is it possible that there where actually NO credible complaints ?

On the face of it, this seems to be a "hatchet job" against the BNP... or possibly just lazy journalism ?

Whe should be told !

Kind regards,

Ships-Cat.

3

the eyeball in the sky.,

Manchester. 05/03/2008 15:08:37
Well thats it then, I would suggest all interested parties start to get organised just in case we need to defend ourselves.
4

Aaron Red,

05/03/2008 15:16:31
"yes the BNP festivals are brilliant a real advert for how British people can behave."

Like glassing each other, wearing Nazi regalia and listening to SS marching music and racist comedy? Oh, and bringing their kids along to share in it too? Strange kind of Britishness you're into mate.

You can complain about Searchlight and Labour as much as you like - I do too! Many of the people who will be protesting don't care much for these organisations. It doesn't make the BNP's disgraceful policies any better. And just for the record, if it was Labour (who run the country, remember) protesting, then why didn't they deny you the license? The fact is that Labour need people like the BNP to justify their own excesses. The establishment and the BNP work hand in hand.

"If complaints where received by the local council.. why didn't Clive speciffy this ? Is it possible that there where actually NO credible complaints ?"

There were over 80 letters of complaint received by Amber Valley Council. I can send you copies if you leave your details. The BNP broke many of the agreements that they made with the council regarding noise, how long music would go on etc. This festival should not go ahead, in Denby or anywhere else.
5

the eyeball in the sky.,

Manchester. 05/03/2008 17:07:00
I don't care if Lee Jasper is out of work or not, If he turns up he will pay like everyone else.
6

The Hound,

BNP 05/03/2008 18:02:45
Unlikely the locals of Denby will be protesting, most of them are members now. They joined at last years RWB.
7

JennaT,

06/03/2008 09:18:36
I think it's extremely obvious that the complaints would have been received by the borough council. It's not as if the journalist could have just made up the complaints and written the story for the fun of it. It's funny how the BNP seem to spend more time defending themselves and trying to deny the fact that they have fierce opposition (and, back-stabbing each other) than actually coming up with any fair and feasible ideas.
8

Clive Whittingham,

Ripley Office 06/03/2008 10:17:25

Ships-Cat,

Thanks for taking the time to read and comment on the story, I’ll do my best to answer the points you have raised.

The line about complaints being received last year relates back to stories we ran last year where local residents complained about plans for the festival being held there...

http://www.belpernews.co.uk/news/UPROAR-OVER-BNP-FESTIVAL.3011034.jp

Also concern expressed by councillors in nearby Heanor...

http://www.belpernews.co.uk/news/Concern-as-licence-is-approved.3054345.jp

And after the event by the owners of the nearby Livery Stables...

http://www.belpernews.co.uk/news/BNP39S-vow-to-return-next.3092051.jp

It’s up to you whether you think they’re credible or not.

When covering this story I do always make the effort to speak to Alan Warner before publishing anything so that we always have both sides of the story included and I do try and write the copy in a fair and balanced way.

Look forward to hearing back from you.

Clive
9

Belper Pete,

Belper 11/03/2008 12:31:16
Jenna, by fierce opposition do you mean the single soul with the placard at last year's festival? Give it a rest girl.

And as for "glassing each other, wearing Nazi regalia and listening to SS marching music, etc" I can only assume you weren't there Aaron or are having a laugh.

As for the article, I think it's fair enough journalism. I'm not BNP, but am a local. Clive is a good local journo (you owe me a pint by the way for saying that!!!!).

Couldn't care less where they hold the festival, but will pop along like I did last year with my family as it was a good laugh. And if Labour want to hold a car boot sale, count me in too!!!!!
10

JennaT,

13/03/2008 10:26:28
Yeah enough of the "girl", thanks Belper Pete. Patronising much?

Yes, I know that the amount of people opposing the BNP isn't necessarily huge here, but that doesn't hide the fact that the majority of the nation is disgusted by them, and those who do oppose them do so quite strongly!! This is what you get when you form a controversial party.
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