Saturday, August 6, 2011
UK - Fury over rock gig
OFF THE WIRE
HORRIFIED residents have been left stunned after motorbike club the Satan’s Slaves announced a heavy metal festival just yards from their million-pound homes.
The Lancashire Chapter of the biking group are planning two days of drinking, biking and rock music for more than a thousand people in a Blackpool field next month.
Bands such as Skinny Lizard and Metallica tribute act Mentallica will take to the stage on Cropper Road, Westby.
And the event poster advertises “cheap bars” and camping for 1,000 tents.
The event is yet to be granted a licence by Fylde Council, but worried residents fear their lives will be turned upside down if it is given the go-ahead.
Andrew Torkington, who lives in Bambers Lane, at the rear of the festival site, said: “It’s not what you would call in keeping with a rural area.
“They are advertising camping for 1,000 tents 200 yards from my house. I live in a million pound house in the country – the reason you buy a million pound house in the county is a bit of peace and quiet.
“What worries me is it will set a precedent for all kinds of events.”
Tickets are already on sale for the event – billed as a “Rock and Bike Show” – despite the fact the licensing application is not scheduled to be heard by Fylde Council until August 16.
The festival due to be held in a field close to popular bikers’ meeting point the Coast Riders Motorcycle Cafe, although they have not organised the event.
Pensioner Margaret Bassindale, 75, has lived in her Bambers Lane home for 30 years, and said: “It’s Satan’s Slaves, it’s going to be really heavy rock music and it’s going to be so noisy.
“We just feel Fylde Council is letting us down.
“Music festivals go on all night and we feel it’s the wrong place. The motorcycle cafe there is open at weekend and they’ve got these Harley Davidsons, they come and sit outside and show off, revving them up.”
