Jul 54 min read

Sabbath Wheels - Black Mass at the Bearpit, Bristol

Back to the Future, The Godfather, Toy Story… Black Mass?

Following several calendar and location issues, the final Saturday of June was eventually nailed down as the date for Sabbath Wheels’ third Black Mass raw street takeover. After adopting the age-old ‘try your luck and hope for the best’ mindset for the previous two events at slightly less central (or slightly more sympathetic) spots in Birmingham and Cardiff, this time around, the Sabbath mob’s confidence was at an all-time high as they set their sinister sights on Bristol city center, or more accurately, the Bearpit roundabout.

Unknown Youth - Boneless. Photo: Mike Wright.

Jordo Lightowler - Gap to backside lipslide. Photo: CJ.

Jess Young - Gap to frontside lipslide. Photo: CJ.

Callum Edwards - Beanplant. Photo: Mike Wright.

Photos: CJ.

In hindsight, it turns out that the Bearpit was the perfect home for the third Black Mass gathering. This particular corner of Bristol hosted the annual St James Fair from the 12th century onwards, where traders and shows would enter town and set up shop for a solid fortnight, entertaining revellers from across the world and serving their more specialist retail needs, while providing a backdrop for two weeks of unbridled debauchery. The Museum of Bristol’s website claims the exhibitors list would regularly include such novelties as wild beasts, waxworks, flying coaches, peep shows, a camera obscura, air bathing, a revolving panorama, dwarves, giants, and a learned pig. Such a display every summer naturally caught the attention of pirates and criminals, and in the 17th century, it was even blamed for the dreaded plague arriving in Bristol. The infamous St James Fair ran until 1838 when the Corporation Authorities closed the event down for good as part of an attempt to clean up the city’s image.

Diz - Fence backside boneless. Photo: CJ.

It was in this renegade St James Fair spirit that the Sabbath Wheels roadshow barged its way into this now ‘Community Action Zone’ on a Saturday afternoon and simply claimed temporary ownership of the whole space.

“It’s easier to beg for forgiveness than it is to ask for permission,” claimed Sabbath head honcho Rob Whiston. Or words to that effect, anyway.

Jordo Lightowler - Backside smith. Photo: CJ.

Unknown - Photo: Mike Wright.

Stan Byrne - Rock the wall, yank to fakie. Photo: Mike Wright.

As is now customary, Vans Europe, Heathen Skateboards, and OG Distribution had jumped on board to support the lawless lunacy, alongside Bristol's resident Sabbath peddler Gratitude Skate Shop, resulting in a slew of custom obstacles being built for the day, courtesy of Josh at Slap Ramps. In an attempt to award himself a certain level of anonymity from the general public, the balaclava-sporting Joe Habgood could be found with a microphone in hand throughout the day, encouraging all on-comers with his own brand of reverse-psychology linguistic flair. “That was rubbish… Give him the worst prize we’ve got…” etc., etc. By 2pm, upwards of 150 Sabbath disciples had drifted into town - either by car, train, on horseback or on foot - and with prizes at the ready, a sound system in place and an emcee chomping at the bit to rent the air with deafening abuse, the Black Mass stage was just about set.

Ben Plumb - Fence frontside 5-0. Photo: CJ.

Ben Plumb - Blunt pull-in fakie. Photo: Mike Wright.

Photos: CJ.

Despite the very St James Fair approach to legalities and organisation, most members of the public passing through the Bearpit were drawn in by this charming rag-tag display of skateboarding. But then again, I guess it’s not every Saturday you get to witness Jordo Lightowler leaping through an actual inferno while on your way to Home Bargains. Some of the roundabout’s resident characters were less impressed by the four-wheeled roadshow that had encroached upon their territory, but by 6 pm, what was left of the ramps had been packed away, and the Sabbath faithful followed Mr Whiston to the nearby Mother’s Ruin for an evening of karaoke pandemonium. Barely a trace of the Black Mass festivities was left behind, aside from a few scorch marks on the floor, possibly.

Jordo - Kerb slappy front crook. Photo: Mike Wright.

Tiny - Kerb slappy front crook. Photo: CJ.

Ben Plumb - Kicker to back tail. Photo: CJ.

Ben Plumb - Fakie 5-0. Photo: Mike Wright.

Callum Edwards - Boneless. Photo: CJ.

Was this the third and final instalment of a legendary Black Mass trilogy, or will the bloodthirsty crowds demand more? I’m sure Rob Whiston and co are weighing up their options regarding where to go from here, but one thing is for certain - no one can quite match this rabble when it comes to loosely organised street chaos, and Black Mass has proved itself once again to be the perfect vigilante gathering for those merely in search of a hectic session and maybe a set of free wheels.

Jordo - Backside tailslide over The Pit. Photo: CJ.

Jordo - Pedestrian heavy backside smith. Photo: Mike Wright.

Rasheed Osman - Tuck knee. Photo: Mike Wright.

So enjoy the assembled photos that surround this text - all shot by Chris Johnson and Mike Wright - take in the edit which can be found at the bottom of the page, and the next time the Black Mass invite passes your way, be prepared to take the plunge. Thou shan’t regret it.