Letters: Riverside Festival
Letters to The Mercury about this year's Riverside Festival.
We, too, were appalled
We were appalled to see the state of the river, the town and The Meadows following the Riverside Festival on our habitual walk around town and by the river on Saturday.
I, with my wife Sonia however, were delighted to witness Emma with her young son Thomas who with a lady and gentleman who (politely) refused to provide his name and photo, but suggested that I photo them (see right) were no less voluntarily clearing the river Welland on a very hot Sunday afternoon.
Emma, with another lady (pictured) and gentleman were helping them to clear the ghastly litter and other detritus mess in the river, left discarded by the previous Riverside function.
On asking Emma why she should do this remarkable voluntary duty in our town (river), her reply was simply that it allowed her son Thomas to take advantage of the amenity of the river.
Emma and the gentleman waded in and were observed by us collecting very unpleasant rubbish from the river into several plastic bags. Numerous items were found by them including a golf club and a vast number of dangerous glass and plastic bottles, no doubt simply discarded into the river by what can only be described as miscreants attending the event.
Emma, her son Thomas, the lady and gentleman are to be congratulated and mentioned in dispatches for the town of Stamford!
Further, upriver we found also to our astonishment and horror, opposite the hospice in the river by the swans nesting set, large amounts of litter and bottles including plastic bags floating on the surface (clearly dangerous to wildlife) which had undoubtedly been thrown into the river by those attending the Riverside Festival. At Albert Bridge two supermarket trolleys were also observed at the bottom of the river!
It is clear that such distasteful 'events' which have been permitted on The Meadows and in Stamford generally, are to be banned forthwith.
Future 'events' should only to be authorised until or unless the organisers' are (heavily) charged with compulsory amenity 'tax' or other relevant charge to ensure clearance of the appalling mess left within the river, on The Meadows and in the town, which is then to be enforceably cleared/cleaned within for example, 48 hours (preferably 24 hours) of such an event by the 'organisers' or their 'agents'.
Noise pollution was also a problem as I'm sure it was for many residents of Stamford. The amplified sound could unmistakably be heard in Wharf Road and beyond.
Further, we suggest that events of this nature are to be banned forthwith until agreement is reached with so called 'organisers' or 'agents' in consultation with South Kesteven District Council, Stamford Civic Society and others concerning clear-up arrangements, with communication to participants that litter and other detritus is to be deposited in receptacles (to be] provided or which are taken home for disposal.
It is also imperative that communication to this effect is promulgated on the site and in the town for this purpose, for example, signs that promote, Take litter home with you, and enforcement notices such as, 'You will be fined for discharging litter (into the river and in the town]'.
These messages also disseminate the clear requirement of police officers to patrol Stamford for this purpose.
We therefore concur with the letter last week from Richard Larkinson.
We agree that the streets are in an appalling state of cleanliness due to this (and other) event(s) which is further reason to forbid such events. This situation in such a lovely town as Stamford, to which we have recently arrived, cannot be tolerated. Lord Cecil; Celia Fiennes, Sir John Betjeman et al. would be absolutely horrified to see and hear of this repugnance to and in our town!
Jeffery and Sonia Knight
Wharf Road,
Stamford
A wonderful family event
I would like to thank Martin Smith, one of the founding members of the Riverside Festival, for his massive contribution over the past 10 years both in terms of the time and effort he has put in.
Martin had the ideas, vision and foresight that inspired the Riverside Festival, which is now organised and run by a highly competent group of volunteers.
What started as Rock on the Rec, with bands playing from a lorry driven on to the Recreation Ground, has now become a hugely popular annual event.
In September Martin is standing down as chairman to spend more time with his family. I believe I can speak on behalf of the thousands who have attended and enjoyed this brilliant family event over the past 10 years when I say thanks Martin – without you the Riverside Festival may never even have happened, let alone become the amazing spectacle it is today.
Julie Fancourt
Casterton Road,
Stamford
Festival is a great draw
THE old adage "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" could be well applied to the future of the Riverside Festival.
The event is a great success and to draw 15000 young people to a small town festival is no mean feat. The suggestion that it be turned into a cultural and arts event would certainly kill it.
In Stamford if you want culture there is plenty on offer at the Arts Centre and the Corn Exchange Theatre. The young people who come to the festival are not interested in an art and culture event.
The standing down of the founder Martin Smith, should not be seen as an opportunity to start tinkering with the show. Leave it alone.
PETER SPIEGL
Orchard Way,
Easton-on-the-Hill
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Weather for Stamford
Saturday 11 February 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: -5 C to -1 C
Wind Speed: 7 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 2 C to 4 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: North west
