We assembled at Wade Street Church, and kitted up to be out on the ground for 22.15 hrs. We were five in total. All brave and experienced souls.
We set up in our now usual location, between the trees, outside Millenium Chicken.
As it was mild and dry, and as it was 'pay day' weekend, the City was extra busy. Several ladies, much the worse for wear, seemed to be continually falling over the temporary fencing around the two large trees, which are due to be excavated. Most of this fencing had been knocked/or blown over and posed a definite health and safety risk.
We were serving hot drinks as soon as we had set up and within a few minutes, we were in receipt of a £15 donation, courtesy of two very kind men from Cannock. Our regular 'patrols' revealed that the George 1V pub was very busy and very noisy.
A couple of the team went on another patrol, equipped with our new radio, which seemed to have constant traffic on the air, noted that there was a heavy Police presence outside Walkabouts, which was also very full and therefore very busy. Two Police officers arrested a man for an assault on another man inside Walkabouts. The injured victim was outside with visible head injuries. The Police cleaned him up, though he turned down any further medical assistance. In chatting to the door staff at Le Reve, it was commented on how Walkabouts was just getting busier all the time.
The stalls along Minster Pool walk were being set up for the Christmas Lights switch on in the City on Sunday. We walked down Dam Street and spoke to two gentlemen from Bolton attending a birthday party. They were very impressed with our magnificent City, and in particular the Cathedral. We showed them the Dr. Johnson statue on the Market Square, and gave them a brief potted history of Lichfield.
By the time we had walked around the Market Square we noticed that the George 1V had a couple of Police cars outside and officers dealing with drunken people spouting some rather colourful language.
By the time this patrol had re-joined the team, we had received a further £20, from two passing well-wishers. Throughout most of the night it remained very busy on Bore Street, where we were. The Millenium Chicken takeaway shop seemed to be continuously packed.
Several youths on bikes were openly smoking cannabis opposite us. We came across three of the City's homeless people, all the usual faces. They were duly supplied with hot drinks and biscuits. Because of the busyness of the night and where the team's base was located there was a sense of feeling a little vulnerable and uncomfortable coupled with the fact that the 'Just Eat' type delivery guys think it's OK to park their cars right in front of our table.
(We maybe need to look for a different spot for our base!)
The man who had earlier been assaulted at Walkabouts came passed and asked if he and his wife could sit with us. They did and the team comforted them. They asked if we could help locate their teenage daughter, who was last seen in Walkabouts, and get her to come to them. We went and spoke to the door staff, who asked the DJ to give an announcement but to no avail though - the daughter didn't appear, which made her mother very upset. They sat with us for a while, then walked away to the taxi rank, which was also extremely busy throughout the night.
Hot drinks and biscuits were constantly being dispensed and we handed out several pairs of flip flops. Sgt Lee Walker joined us, and we discussed the busy atmosphere of the night. We gave him some flip flops to hand to a shoeless, young lady.
Around 11.30pm, we were joined by a rather drunk young man, who sat with us for some time. He was confused and a little argumentative. He wouldn't tell us his name, however, he lived in Lichfield, and wanted to get a taxi home. The taxis wouldn't take him, because he was way too drunk.
A bit later, the ever patient doorman Bobby, brought us some welcome, hot chips. Our inebriated young man was very reluctant to give up his seat, so Sgt Walker was asked if he could help. He did, and asked the man to move to one of the benches opposite, which he duly responded to.
By ten past one am, we were ready to pack up. We had seen some kind acts, and some not so kind ones, however, the Late Night Listeners were there for everyone. What a top team we work with and we honour them for their compassion and commitment to serving their community.