News
Join protest over policing of events plea
Friday 28 March 2008
Last year's St Wilfrid Procession in Ripon.
ORGANISERS of Ripon's St Wilfrid Procession are to join a protest next week in Harrogate against the way police deal with public events.
Schools, charities and community groups are uniting to protest against recent changes in the law which have resulted in steep rises in the costs of staging large events.
The chairman of Ripon's St Wilfrid Procession recently described the process of organising the 2008 event as 'horrific.'
Speaking last month, Annette Wilson said: "I have had meetings with the police and they are not, under any circumstances going to do the St Wilfrid Procession this year."
cost
Mrs Wilson said the organising committee could have to find further cash to pay for a private traffic management company to carry out the road closures on the day of the parade but this would double the costs of staging the event.
"It cost us £8,000 last year which we only just managed to raise by the skin of out teeth," added Mrs Wilson. "It's getting where every charity event like this will have to be cancelled."
Similar problems faced by organisers of other public events around the region, such as the Knaresborough Bed Race, has brought about the protest.
The issue prompted Mayor of Ripon, Coun Andrew Williams to describe the situation as a travesty and to ask, 'What do we pay our council tax for?'
under fire
North Yorkshire Police have come under fire from all parties in Harrogate Borough Council for its policy, but police claim their hands are tied by the Traffic Management Act 2004.
Conservative councillor Caroline Bayliss and her Liberal Democrat colleague Philip Broadbank have joined forces to organise a protest when Chief Constable Grahame Maxwell attends a meeting of the scrutiny commission on Thursday, April 3.
Organisers are urging everyone affected, whether groups or individuals, to meet next Thursday outside the council's Crescent Gardens offices between 5.15pm and 5.30pm ready for the 6pm meeting.
They have already received offers of support from groups across the district who plan to attend, including representatives from the Knaresborough Bed Race, Ripon's St Wilfrid's Day Parade, Summerbridge Primary School, Scouts and the Soroptimists.
'important'
Coun Bayliss said: "Parades are an incredibly important part of community life and the police are there to safeguard our community.
"It could change the face of our community if we don't get the police to back down on this. It's going to be a very peaceful demonstration but as noisy and as colourful as possible. We would like as many kids to get involved as possible, particularly those who are missing out on their parades."
The councillors are calling on people to dress in uniforms or costumes associated with their events.
A band is expected to be on hand for entertainment and any jugglers, clowns or other performers are also encouraged to take part. Anyone wishing to take part should e-mail carolinebayliss@btinternet.com or p.broadbank@btinernet.com.
