Even busier than Millennium
night
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Party revellers turned out in force in Exmouth on New Year's Eve.
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• HERE FOR THE BEER: An Exmouth big wig joins the party.
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• PINK LADIES: Shannon and Sasha are pretty in pink at the Pavilion.
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• KNIGHTS ON THE TOWN: Could one of these be Sir Gadabout?
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WHILE
party revellers in fancy dress turned out in force to see in 2005, Exmouth police
reported their busiest New Year’s Eve on record, writes Becca Gliddon.
Inspector
Chris Wise said the cells at Exmouth police station had been full throughout the
night, as they were throughout the force area, however the majority of people
ringing in the New Year had celebrated peacefully.
He added that most of
the people who descended on the town were in high spirits and simply out to enjoy
the evening, but a few had been determined to spoil the celebrations, which led
to officers making several arrests.
Inspector Wise said the increase in
trouble could have been because of an influx of partygoers drawn to Exmouth’s
reputation for its New Year’s Eve atmosphere. He added that the deregulation
of licensing laws, and pubs staying open for longer, could also have contributed
to the police’s workload. He said some officers, due to finish their shift
at 3am, worked until 5am to police the establishments that had remained open.
“We
had a few incidents of disorder and drunkenness,” he said. “I have policed
Exmouth for the last six years and this year was the busiest I have ever seen.
It was even busier than Millennium night.
“I got the general feeling
that it wasn’t as good as in previous years. It was the minority spoiling
it for the majority.”
Pub tills rang repeatedly as revellers counted
down the final hours of 2004. Leisl Pringle, barmaid at The York, Imperial Road,
Exmouth, said the pub had been busy all day.
“It was absolutely wonderful,”
she said. “Everybody was in high spirits. We were busy all day. It made for
a really good day and a
fun-packed evening.”
The newly opened
Clipper, on The Strand, reported an excellent first New Year’s Eve. Manager
Lee Oldale, who entered into the spirit of the occasion dressed as a red-wigged
woman, said the venue was so popular that customers were often forced to queue
outside.
“It was fantastic, I really, really enjoyed it. I have never
seen anything like it. I have been in other towns and have seen people come out
in fancy dress, but not en masse!”
Imagination ran riot with partygoers
decked out in various fancy dress costumes. Mexican dress proved most popular
this year. Film characters, such as Lara Croft and James Bond, also made an appearance.
A group of four men spent the night dressed as Crayola crayons, while other male
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