Party chaos: 'It wasn't our fault' (From The Northern Echo)

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Party chaos: 'It wasn't our fault'

8:00am Saturday 18th February 2012 in Darlington By Tamasyn Guy-Jobson, Reporter (Darlington)

A BAD NIGHT: Mark Lamb and Katheryn Tunstall outside The Grange yesterday

THE organisers of a teenage party promoted on Facebook as the “biggest and best in town” that descended into chaos insisted last night: “It wasn’t our fault.”

Mark Lamb told The Northern Echo he had been made to feel like a laughing stock after more than 600 young people turned up for a party at The Grange, in Darlington, on Wednesday night.

The 16-year-old claims he was told by the owner of the bar, in Grange Road, that it could hold as many as 600 people.

A spokesman for The Grange previously said the venue could officially hold only 450 people.

Speaking to The Northern Echo, Mr Lamb, said: “I was told that it was a 600 person venue, so by selling 500 tickets I didn’t think I was doing anything wrong.

“Five hundred and twelve people were counted in, and 100 were turned away – more people turned up than expected.

“People were getting thrown out for being rowdy and the bouncers were letting them back in.

“The bouncers called it off because there were too many people – there was no dispute with the DJ, like the owner has said.”

Councillor Cyndi Hughes, Darlington Borough Council’s cabinet member for children and young people, last night said she would campaign to make sure provisions were in place for underage events.

She said: “If a club hosts an event for underage people there need to be safeguards in place and special training for door and bar staff. I’ll be campaigning to get these provisions in place.”

The teenage event was organised by Mr Lamb, a student at Carmel College, and Katheryn Tunstall, 18, a student at Darlington College.

About 600 teenagers turned up at the bar on Wedneday night to attend the event, called Atmosphere.

It was advertised on Facebook as The Biggest and Best Party in Darlington.

The party, which began at 8pm, came to an abrupt end only an hour later.

Witnesses said people were then pushing and shoving to get into the club, there was fighting inside and the young people who had been sent out by door staff managed to get back in.

After the youths were ejected, other fights broke out among the youngsters, who were hanging around in Grange Road.

Police were called and an arrest was made for drunkenness and a 15-year-old girl was taken to hospital by her parents because she was suffering from the effects of alcohol consumption.

Mr Lamb added: “People have been laughing at me and saying on Facebook that they didn’t enjoy the night.

“But it’s not my fault – I put a lot of effort into organising that event – I did my best to make it as good as possible.”

Acting Neighbourhood Inspector for Darlington police, Dave Barker, said: “We will be speaking with the young man and his parents. We want to make sure nothing like this happens again.”

The Northern Echo understands licensing officers from Darlington Borough Council will also be investigating the cicrumstances.

No one from The Grange was available for comment.

Comments(22)

parcel says...
9:02am Sat 18 Feb 12

What does a 16yr old boy think hes doing trying to book 600 tanked up youths into into 1 venue.
The boys a fool, and his parents should be ashamed of themselves, I am sure they didnt bring him up to believe in such social fantasies!