Big green gathering cancelled.

[Andy Hamilton]

Is this true? I got an email this morning and their website seems to back it up. It's bad form with such short notice.

Big Green Gathering Shut Down

“It’s political” Chief Superintendent tells BGG Director



Chief Superintendent Paul Richards admitted to a Big Green Gathering Director that the decision to shut down the Big Green Gathering was political and confirmed to the Chair of the Big Green Gathering that orders had come from the highest level.

During a meeting today between the police and directors of the Big Green Gathering, the superintendent said the decision to shut down the BGG was taken over a week ago, confirming the statement from the BGG lawyer that the ‘injunction was a red herring.’

Directors from the BGG are horrified at this partisan interpretation of licencing law. Big Green Gathering Chair Brig Oubridge said, “At the multi-agency meeting on Thursday 23rd July, we were still negotiating with the police and the council under the genuine belief that things were progressing and we were continuing to spend money on infrastructure, wages and security. If they knew they were going to cancel the event, we can only conclude that this drive to increase expenditure appears to be a deliberate attempt to bankrupt the Big Green Gathering.

The injunction served on the Big Green Gathering was primarily addressing the fact that the Big Green Gathering did not obtain the necessary road closure despite the fact that the Highways Agency had previously indicated that this would be done.

The Big Green Gathering has been running an event since 1994 and never before has public safety been an issue. The BGG has an exemplary record on health and safety and crime levels have always been low for the number of people on site.

Despite the concerns over the behaviour of the Council and the Police, event organisers will work with them to ensure the safety of those at the premises and ensure that they leave the land in an orderly fashion. Brig concluded, “We are very aware of our responsibilities to those already on the site and very sad for all those who were coming to enjoy one of the most peaceful festivals in the UK.”

[Annpan]

There is talk of it here http://www.selfsufficientish.com/forum/ ... 33&t=12882

It is a shame and bad form, especially after last year and all the 'shares' that people have bought.

[red]

how horrible to have it cancelled at the last min - must have messed a lot of people about.

I can't get to the bottom of it though... why it was cancelled etc... seems both sides are being a bit foggy about it.

[Thomzo]

I just caught the end of the item on the news. Something about not getting appropriate licenses. Sounds as if refunds are only available for those who paid by credit card, otherwise you have to use the tickets elsewhere.

Zoe

[the.fee.fairy]

It was cancelled.

Basically it seems that bad organisation is to blame. The main thing seems to hinge around a road block that was apparently granted, and then not granted. The thing is, if someone had kept decent paperwork, there wouldn't be issues now, apparently, whilst 'clearing up', they 'found' rock block notices around the local area, and all the local residents knew that it was in palce, but BGG's organisation 'couldn't find' supporting evidence until it was too late.

People who paid on credit card can get a refund through their credit card proider, but those who didn't have to wait until the company get their backsides in gear (apparently, they are waiting until they've 'won' their court case) to get them...that includes the shareholders who bought early tickets by cheque. I'm still fighting with them to get the refund!