Castlemorton Common
Avon and Somerset Operation Nomad. Force Operational Order 36/92 marked `In Confidence’, revealed:
“With effect from Monday 27th April 1992, dedicated resources will be used to gather intelligence in respect of the movement of itinerants and travellers and deal with minor acts of trespass”.
A Force Operational Order issued by the Chief Constable also stated:
“Resources will be greatly enhanced for the period Thursday 21st May to Sunday 24th May inclusive in relation to the anticipated gathering of Travellers in the Chipping Sodbury area.”
This referred to the annual Avon Free Festival which had been occurring in the area on May bank holiday for several years. However, 1992 was the year Avon and Somerset Police intended to put a full stop to it. As a result the thousands of people travelling to the area for the expected Festival. The end result was the impromptu Castlemorton Common Festival, another pivotal event in the recent history of festival culture.