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[suspectmonkey]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-11467548

If the Forest Service did not have enough to deal with while combating the outbreak of a rare tree disease, it is now facing another menace - of the human variety.

Officials have admitted that while they battle Sudden Oak Disease by day, another peril is occasionally appearing in woodlands here by night - dance music devotees descending for a "rave" under the stars.

The issue has come to light following questions put to the Department of Agriculture by Carrickfergus-based MLA David Hilditch, concerned by reports of such an event near the town in early September.

The Carrick Times reported that Woodburn reservoir was the destination for "hundreds" of young people, some of whom partied until 0430 in the morning.

Mr Hilditch said the event had been organised with some sophistication, with revellers travelling to the rave in minibuses.

The MLA said that up to 14 family homes had been damaged by those attending as they made their way back towards Carrickfergus after the festivities.

He added that early morning dog walkers in the picturesque setting were confronted by the sight of some still sleeping off their exertions.

He added: "It was a real pest for people living in the area, not to mention the potential damage to the wilderness.

"No-one wants young people not to be able to enjoy themselves but there are enough nightclubs for them to go to without them having to disturb people and the environment."

Responding to Mr Hilditch's query, Department of Agriculture officials said that while they were aware of such parties, they were "infrequent".

It said that it was taking a range of actions, including carrying out engineering work to ensure forest roads not required for operational matters would be unavailable for use.

[Scribble]

That's a disgrace youngsters these days 04:30 in my day we partied right through to Sunday afternoon 

[RedLeader]

That's a disgrace youngsters these days 04:30 in my day we partied right through to Sunday afternoon 

Arf

Wonder how they get all the sound equipment into the middle of a forest?

[whoRya]

I was down in Woodburn forest during the summer and there was plenty of evidence of parties happening with tents and all being left behind.

[RedLeader]

So do they not stop people camping in Woodburn? I thought it was clearly against the rules and assumed the rangers would move people on?

[whoRya]

It's quite a big forest so it wouldn't be hard to be out of sight.  Well unless of course there are 400 of you having a rave!  The rubbish that I seen could have been left by half-a-dozen people. 

I've no idea how often rangers patrol, or even if they do at all.  Realistically, would a ranger do much to move-on a few pissheads camping in the forest?  Breaking forest bye-laws is probably a civil-law matter so I doubt the police would be interested.  The forest is used by a lot of walkers and anglers (there are three reservoirs) so seeing cars there would be the norm.

All that said, it would be a good spot for an urban-overnighter for those that way inclined.  Until it is chopped down that is (I think it and Ballyboley forest are badly affected by that tree disease).

[RedLeader]

All that said, it would be a good spot for an urban-overnighter for those that way inclined.

That's what I was ultimately thinking of. Whether you'd get chucked out by a ranger or take a pasting from a glued up teen if you wanted a quick stealth bivvy.

[suspectmonkey]

All that said, it would be a good spot for an urban-overnighter for those that way inclined.

You can guarantee the night that we would choose to do an urban stealth bivvy there the police would turn up with camera crews and we would be paraded on the news as hardcore rave yoofs

[whoRya]

I can see yer man Jim on TV saying "This week in a Sunday World exclusive, we reveal...."

RL I'd say lit would be worth taking the family on a Sunday afternoon lap of the reservoirs (surrounded by the forest).  Part of the trail takes you through the forest.  You'll see a few spots that would suit.  As I said before it's a big enough forest to get both metaphorically and literally lost in!

As with all these things the problem comes in finding somewhere you are comfortable to park a car overnight.  There is a church on the Woodburn Road that you could maybe do a late arrival/early departure from.  Access restrictions may be in place during felling, to deal with the tree disease. 

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