Forum Topic

Waterworks Festival cancelled

Probably a bad idea to go ahead with the Waterworks pop festival, given the national mood.But Hounslow Council appears to be encouraging the organisers to go ahead anyway – despite bleatings to the contrary.This is what the council says:“Hounslow Council has made representations in the strongest terms advising against this event proceeding. We are clear this massive multi-stage festival event is completely out of keeping with the mood of the nation at this time of grief.”This is rubbish.The council could – if it wanted to – simply revoke the licence for the event.  But it won’t.What the council actually wants is for people to think it’s concerned (which it isn’t), while trousering the meagre pennies it is being offered by the organisers.Worth noting that this festival will net the best part of £500,000.What do we get in return?Interestingly, the council doesn’t say.

David Marshall ● 1092d6 Comments

Nigel is right - premiums for insuring against the death of a woman in her nineties would have been astronomical and I can't imagine any event organised in the whole of the UK had cover. It is unreasonable to blame Gunnersbury Park for what has happened.What will be interesting to see is if the council actually enforces noise levels properly for this event. I find it very difficult to believe that this wasn't done for the Gunnersbury Live series of concerts last month. I don't have a major objection to them taking place as they are providing revenue for the park but they were very clearly audible from a long distance away. The council says the organisers self-certify and have been laissez faire in the past but I think they may send noise pollution officers to the event to monitor decibel levels this time.

Mark Evans ● 1091d

I suspect that they could have got cover but that the premiums would have been exhorbitant. The organisers are between a rock and a hard place and LBH are simply virtue signalling knowing that they will not do anything. Sadly an example of the nature of local councils nowadays.

N V Brooks ● 1092d

It's not really the organisers, it's the cavalier attitude of the Park Management that does not take on board the possibilities. And the Passing of a very elderly and widely respected Monarch has been a possibility for long enough to not be an unexpected surprise. So that ought to be factored in just as much as heavy rain and high winds in September.If it has to go ahead then presumably out of respect for the local inhabitants, the sound output will be significantly reduced and finish earlier.

Raymond Havelock ● 1092d

"The council could – if it wanted to – simply revoke the licence for the event."I doubt this very much - they would be on the end of a massive law suit which they would probably lose. There is no legal reason why the event can't go ahead - it is within government guidelines.A portion of the money raised goes to Gunnersbury Park not the council. We don't get to see exactly how much because it doesn't publish detailed account and isn't subject to FoI.Hounslow are probably making a statement on this knowing that it isn't going to be cancelled but anticipating howls of outrage when people across west London hear it. You can't pretend that this isn't a difficult situation however, what would you do in the organiser's position?

Mark Evans ● 1092d

My understanding is that the organisers indemnities and insurance do not vcover them for cancellation in the event of the licence being withdrawn. This would mean that they would, if the event was cancelled, liquidate the company, there would be no refunds (save for those who paid by credit card) and the organising company's staff would be laid off. It may also have exposed Ealing and Hounslow to legsal action.It is a difficult situation to assess really. My heart, naturally, says cancel it out of respect but I do have empathy with the organisers.

N V Brooks ● 1092d

And revealed recently the rather secret moves by both Councils to give Gunnersbury complete autonomy in all but ownership.This is a Public Park bought with ratepayers money at a knock down price for the townspeople of Acton Ealing and Brentford.Dreadfully neglected by both councils since the 1960s but the delusions and roughing of the current method of organisation is appalling.And all aided and abetted on the quiet by Ealing and Hounslow. Shameful and spineless.

Raymond Havelock ● 1092d