WOMAD

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  Just spotted this:

  http://www.thisiswiltshire.co.uk/news/9827191.Festival_policing_review_for__WOMAD/

  E-mail your support - the more the merrier, I reckon!

  Posted on 20-Jul-2012 12:30pm by GillyG

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  I'm sure if the police/councillors of Wiltshire were foolish enough to jeapordise the future of the festival at CP there'd be plenty of other counties who'd jump at the chance to host it and benefit from the influx of visitors. Maybe it could come back to Morecambe - wahoo!

  Posted on 20-Jul-2012 12:40pm by Mcgrooger

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  Could do with both CP and Morecambe
  

  Posted on 20-Jul-2012 12:42pm by Al_G

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  Indeed we could - or anywhere else in the North West.

  Posted on 20-Jul-2012 12:46pm by Mcgrooger

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  Done!

  Dear Sir/Madam,
  I am e-mailing regarding the upcoming review you have there for The Womad Festival. I would just like to show my support for Womad. My family have been regular attendee's since 2005 and the number of people that join our party each year just keeps growing. There is not a single individual on this world that would not have the time of their lives at Womad, whether they think it to be their kind of thing or not. It is a truly magical and awe inspiring experience, and we wait all year for it to come back around again.
  I understand that the concerns raised are over policing. Well, let me tell you. I take my 4 year old and 1 year old to Womad and started taking them when my oldest was just 10 months old. I can not think of a safer place for them to be. I have been to many other festivals in the past and have never had the sense of security that you get at Womad. It doesn't attract the same 'ilk' of people like other festivals do. Actually, hand on heart, I can honestly say that if I lost one of my precious children there, I would be confident that I would get them back . . . there aren't many places in the world you could still say that about. I know this from experience. And I also know from experience that the Womad organisers actually care. They do anything and everything in their power to make everybody happy and keep this a wonderful event. I understand that even their external security review shows that they have extremely low crime rates at the festival and proportionately high levels of policing. Despite this, and the fact that Womad has raised the private security on site by 50%, the police are still continuing with their objections? This is about nothing more than the police trying to grab at more money. I understand that they are struggling at the moment due to government cuts . . . but really? Why take that out on the thousands of people whose whole lives revolve around Womad. And why take that out on Malmesbury and it's residents? There's no question that Womad is of great economic benefit to the area and on a personal level, I spoke to an elderly local resident in 2010 who told me that whilst the locals had concerns about Womad before it came, they now embrace is as a part of their community and many of them attend and love it.
  I have no doubt that if the police are successful with their ridiculous objections Womad will still continue. There will be plenty of counties that will rejoice at the chance to host such a fabulous event. But that would be a real shame. Charlton Park is a beautiful setting for a beautiful festival and I know the owner welcomes us. Wiltshire in itself is lovely and would be greatly missed if we didn't get the opportunity to visit their once a year. My fiance and I are so in love with the setting and the festival that we have chosen to get married there next year, the day before the festival and go on to Womad with all of our guests following the wedding. I will be devastated if I have to change my wedding plans due to some ridiculous notion from the police. That's not to mention how much Malmesbury and Wiltshire as a whole will miss Womad AND how the local economy will miss the money it brings!!!!
  I urge you to throw out these concerns raised by the police. There really is no need for concern. If a problem ever did arise at Womad relating to crime or even just bad behaviour, I have absolutely full confidence in the fact that the organisers would deal with it immediately and if there ever was a need for the levels of policing that they are suggesting Womad would not hesitate to put that in place. Womad has been established for 30 years this year and the organisers know their festival FAR better than the police do. It is such a shame that the police have chosen to do this on such a momentous year for Womad and dampen the spirits of so many thousands when we should be celebrating more than ever.
  Thank you for your time and I trust that you will make the right decision.
  Yours sincerely,

  Rebecca Stenton

  Posted on 20-Jul-2012 1:13pm by Yummy Mummy

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  On my way back through London last year, I sat next to a 'city gent' on the tube, pin-stripe suit etc, he lives at Charlton House and absolutely LOVES Womad. He didn't know about the festival when he moved in so it was an added bonus for him.

  Posted on 20-Jul-2012 1:21pm by Bloohair

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  wonderful Bloohair!

  Thanks for link GillyG and done.

  Posted on 20-Jul-2012 1:23pm by Jambo Yoti

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  Brilliant Bloohair! (I'm changing your name to that!) Now follow the link and e-mail the people! x

  Posted on 20-Jul-2012 1:23pm by Yummy Mummy

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  I think the closing date was the 17th but what the hell.

  Some other news on the subject...

  http://www.wiltsglosstandard.co.uk/news/9819424.WOMAD_clash_over_policing/

  I think that reducing the policing from 29 to 3 officers may be going a bit far. I'm not happy about it.

  Posted on 20-Jul-2012 1:54pm by SkyBlueSaddler

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  Private security tend to be meat heads, so even though I don’t like to see cops around, they are at lease thinking people, even though they think you are guilty until proved otherwise.

  Posted on 20-Jul-2012 2:08pm by JayCee

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