RUPERT MURDOCH IS A COVID-19 SUPER SPREADER – PASS IT ON The Byron Shire Echo • Volume 35 #31 • Wednesday, January 13, 2021 • www.echo.net.au
Police move in on drumming circle in Bruns
Bangalow’s new market opens Feb 5
Paul Bibby Local police have been accused of ‘playing power games’ in relation to the Brunswick Heads drumming circle, after they set up a random breath test operation directly opposite the gathering. In a move that appeared to directly target the drummers and dancers, officers from Tweed-Byron Police parked their testing van next to Torakina Park on January 3. This is the location where the circles have taken place on Sunday afternoons and evenings for much of the past year. A local man who attended the January 3 gathering said that the drummers were told to move on by police. ‘A group of around 30 people stayed in the park,’ said the man, who asked to remain anonymous. ‘The vibe was good, but many were disappointed at the level of police enforcement. Police were playing power games’. After being moved on, a group of drummers reportedly headed up to the surf club and recommenced playing. However, the drummers and those watching them were once again moved on by police soon after, at around 5.30pm. ‘One lady asked why, and was told by police that they had been ordered by NSW Health to move on groups of over 100.’ ‘What’s funny is that there was no ‘group’ per se – just a Sunday afternoon at the beach with people in small groups in various locations ▶ Continued on page 2
Conspiracies by the bucketload ▶ p4, 8
Lucy and Cooper enjoy an ice cream from Wal Foster, with Eat Street organisers Kirrily Sinclair and Kate Walsh. Photo Eve Jeffery
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new monthly evening street food market is set to open in Bangalow on February 5. Organisers say Eat Street will bring together the best of the region’s chefs, artisan food and drink makers, musicians and locals for a night of feasting and celebration. ‘We are already so excited about the response to the market, with incredible local foodies approaching us’, organisers Kate Walsh and Kirrily Sinclair said. ‘We are looking to have stalls by amazing
Let’s all trust the government and get vaxed! ▶ p5
local chefs and artisan food and drink makers that are also connected to our local farmers’. They say the aim of the market ‘is to connect eaters with local chefs and artisans that are using the best produce our region has to offer’. ‘You’ll see all your favourite food in one place – tacos, burgers, barbecue, dumplings, ice creams and more. There will be plenty of healthy dinner offerings for the kids, and a dedicated craft corner and face painting to keep them occupied. ‘Most importantly, it will be a monthly
Happy 75th birthday, Helena Norberg-Hodge! ▶ p6
Summertime and the living is easy ▶ p18
celebration of our region, and a place for our community to gather and feast!’ The market will be held on the first Friday of every month at the Bangalow Primary School, from 5 till 9pm. Kate adds that stallholders are welcome to apply. ‘We are anticipating around 20–30 stallholders and we are getting some pretty amazing people, so we are really excited’. For more information, call Kate on 0423 138 357 or email foragersgroup@gmail.com.
Who you gonna call? Bust a host of odd jobs with our Service Directory ▶ p49