Frenzy clubnight officially becomes a religion in response to Bournemouth Council's recent ruling on flyering

Tuesday 22nd July 2008

UPDATE: Since this press release was made public we've received much coverage including a planned peaceful demonstration by a group who objects - see their website at www.blessed-evangelists.net.

We've also had this radio coverage below:

Frenzy, the popular and nationally renowned hard house event from Bournemouth, has this week announced that it has officially become a religion.

This announcement is in response to Bournemouth Borough Council’s recent legislation that bans the distribution and flyering of marketing materials on the streets unless a license is purchased, plus express permission granted from the council to do so.

Bournemouth. Flyer free. Except for religion and politics.

Whilst Frenzy deems that this ruling is in fact un-enforcable by law due to the Human Rights Act of 1998, the clubnight does not wish to aggravate the council or set a precedent for other clubbing events to follow.

Instead, Frenzy is taking the necessary steps to ensure that any flyering activities are kept within the boundaries of Bournemouth Borough Council’s recent legislation. The council’s information sheet on street flyering states the following:

The distribution of free printed matter is permitted only with the prior consent of the Council… The legislation does not apply to the distribution of free literature:

• by or on behalf of a charity within the meaning of the Charities Act 1993 where that literature relates to or is for the benefit of that charity
• where the distribution is for political purposes
• by a person who distributes the literature by delivering it into a building or letterbox
• where the distribution is for the purposes of a religion or belief

Jon Langford preaching to the Frenzy faithful

As a result Frenzy has made the decision after consultation with their legal counsel to becoming its own religion. As with any religions Frenzy has a set of rulings that any practicing members should adhere to which are as follows;

• I shall pay my council tax
• I shall not drop litter on the floor
• I shall respect my neighbours
• I shall rave safely

Some of the Frenzy followers at a religious meeting

In response to comments in the press that Frenzy cannot be officially viewed as a religion, the clubnight is referring to Section 44 of the Equality Act 2006 which states that a religion is as follows:

(a) “religion” means any religion,
(b) “belief” means any religious or philosophical belief,
(c) a reference to religion includes a reference to lack of religion, and
(d) a reference to belief includes a reference to lack of belief.

This definition is broad enough to cover any mainstream religions, cranks, cults, and quite frankly, Frenzy.

Andy Whitby's last service was extremely popular.

Bournemouth Borough Council have so far declined to comment on the matter.

Frenzy’s first ever official gathering as a religious faith will be at Dusk Till Dawn nightclub in Bournemouth on Friday the 1st of August. We will be conducting service between the hours of 11pm and 5am. To find out more please check out latest events.