Camping at Castlewellan Forest Park

jadedson

Big Al the Recreation Forester Mr Kernohan said on his radio interview this morning that security would be in place from next weekend. So as far as I'm concerned thats a big RESULT and people who camp there from now on will be spared any major ordeal. I would even go back again - on the condition that the security was there - and that is saying something! Dammit I turned down that free night lol.

That Result is due to the lobbying of blogger Jon, he's been proactive and has achieved a positive outcome.

BigAl94

I wouldn't be too complacent about this, it's not a new problem, been going on for years now. Bringing in a security firm, which I understand is what they are doing, is no substitute for a properly run controlled site.

jadedson

I think that if they can't run a site properly they shoudn't run one at all as well, but I am also torn because there aren't actually that many sites available to us. Many people would have headed to Wexford, Donegal or the like but the prices are so expensive campers and caravanners are staying in the North.

The privately run campsites have a living to make (so their reputation is precious to them) and often have the family that own them living on site, and that is security enough. Benone Tourist Complex has a night time security man, he scared the wits out of me once as he was lurking in the shadows with this big dog lol. At Carrick Dhu, also a council run site, the bungalow for the warden comes with the job and so he lives on site too.

The privately run campsite is, to a point, entitled to refuse entry. I was told that Castlewellan had a sign saying 'family campsite' and they were made to take it down because someone kicked up that it was discriminating against them, in their single sex group. Privately run campsites often have a 'no single sex' group rule. On one occasion I got quizzed over the phone when I tried to book in saying 'one adult and two children'. The site owner was concerned that I might mean one 19 year old and two seventeen year olds, and I really had to convince him otherwise. Actually I found it quite funny to be asked about my age - regrettably that hasn't happened since I tried to get into pubs when I was a teenager.

Anyway it doesn't help when parents phone a site to book themselves in, when it's really their teenagers they're sneaking in and leaving there. If you have to be dishonest, you really shouldn't be there.

jfrazer1

I had a similar experience last summer and this is the forest services response to my concerns about safety on the campsite! It is totally inadequate. Please write to

[EMAIL="Mark.Parker@dardni.gov.uk"]Mark.Parker@dardni.gov.uk[/EMAIL]

'In response to your concerns I will address these in the order raised:

1. Safety on the campsite

We recognise that many of our caravan and camping customers wish to see a full time staff presence within our sites. It is our intention to improve customer service within our sites by establishing partnership arrangements with suitably experienced caravan and campsite providers. We are currently establishing the level of private sector interest in delivering these services with the intention of securing a suitable partner within the coming year and preference will be given to those who offer a 24-hour presence. Irrespective of this intended arrangement, we would still regard incidents of criminal / anti social behaviour as matters to be dealt with by the Police Service.

In the meantime we will continue to ensure, as far as possible, to minimise criminal / anti-social behaviour. All reports of this type are followed up to establish what additional measures, if any, can be put in place to prevent a similar situation arising again. Where necessary we liaise with the PSNI and local authority officers. On the night of Saturday 14th August I accompanied PSNI officers from the Neighbourhood Policing team, plus a Council Enforcement Officer, as part of a joint patrol primarily focused on under age drinkers within the Forest Park. Later that same night, following a Police response to a call for assistance, an individual was arrested for drunken and disorderly behaviour. Customers resident on our sites are encouraged to report all incidents of criminal or threatening behaviour directly to the PSNI at the time of occurrence.'

jadedson

Wow that it interesting! It looks like they've been looking for a 'private partner' to come in for some time. The email I got from Richard Kernohan 'communications forester' was much the same as yours.

Although it's great to see night time security put in place, he claimed that this was something they were going to put in place anyway. In other words it was not as a direct result a bit of campaigning in various forums and Jon the blogger doing a write up that was sent to all our media. Thanks to him it was picked up by U105 on Wednesday morning and also in the paper on Thursday.

I am concerned that once the fuss calms down the security firm will be let go. I also am very concerned that there are two very negative reviews of families who have gone through much the same thing on Trip Advisor, and they date 2006 and 2007.

jfrazer1

I have a friend who is there this weekend so it will interesting to hear their experiences now that there will be hopefully be security.

amandajim36

any word on how its going with the security firm!

Saucepanhead

A horrible story on the news today yet again about this park caused again by drunken louts. It should be avoided at all costs:(:(:(

code601

I long for a harsh stance on this nonsense from our politicians and police, society is becoming to a point where you can't go anywhere without witnessing a fight or casual violence. Alcohol abuse is costing us, the taxpayers, millions in policing and health services. Public drunkenness should not be acceptable and its time that the law takes action against the yobs who make all our lives a misery by vandalising or robbing anything they can get their hands on, or simply stand around estates getting !!!!ed keeping up all those around them.

This thread makes me very angry, because theirs so little we can do against people like this. These people get away with this behaviour and will continue to.

I have one question for those who endured the campsite, why not leave as soon as the situation became obvious? Your evening is ruined either way.

jadedson

In my case it was simply because it was very late and it was dark. I actually started dismantling fold up tables etc and packing bags at 4am so I could make a quick getaway but the people were finally sleeping next door and I really wanted to get a hold of a ranger before I left, which I did.

The people who were attacked last saturday night did leave. They shouldn't have had to, the person who picked the fight should have left. The families should have been able to continue their weekends break but I'm sure they weren't in the mood to when their weekend had been ruined.