Party-goers clean up after New Year rave
RAVERS who held a New Year’s Eve party in an old factory returned the next day to clean up their rubbish.
On January 1 more than 1,000 people attended a rave which lasted more than 12 hours at the former ETM factory in Talywain, near Pontypool in Torfaen.
Police were called after reports of noise from residents as far as five miles away, with people still arriving at the site on the morning of New Year’s Day.
A 22-year-old man from Hampshire has been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and has been released under investigation.
Now a video posted on Facebook shows a crowd of conscientious partygoers returning to the site in Farm Road, near Pontypool, the following day to pick up litter.
Jesse Jones, 20, from Pontypool, was driving down the lane on January 2 when he saw around 100 people with bin bags picking up rubbish.
He said the people, believed to be ravers from the day before, were picking up the rubbish near their vans, parked on the lane from January 1.
He said: “I was driving past with my uncles and we saw them out in the pouring rain with their hair really wet. They didn’t fail to look at us and smile and wave. They all looked so happy. We drove off for about five minutes and we had to turn around to film it.”
The footage has been viewed more than 26,000 times.
Speaking at the time people living nearby said they were unable to sleep because of the rave at the Grade IIlisted building.
Garndiffaith resident Angela Williams said: “I don’t know how they managed to find the location.
“It kept me awake all night – the bass is having an effect all around the area.”
The mother of one added: “There are cars everywhere – it’s gridlocked. There are people sleeping in their cars and urinating in people’s gardens. My neighbour’s dogs have been going nuts because of the fireworks at three or four in the morning.”
Resident Michelle Mead said: “I live a mile from the site and it woke me up several times in the night. I thought it was a car starting to begin with. The fireworks at 5am and 6.30am were not good for my dog either.”
A spokesman for Gwent Police said: “At approximately 1am on Monday, January 1, we received reports of a large gathering taking place at the former British Works ETM Steel site on Farm Road in Talywain.
“Officers attended, and found a significant number of persons present.
“Officers worked to try and prevent additional persons attending, to bring the event to a peaceful end as well as obtaining evidence for the investigation post event.
“We are aware of the disruption caused for residents and will be working with the property owners to try and prevent a repeat of a similar event.”