"Party in the Park" Cancelled

Greta Park after the Fun Fair Left 

Hedge End's first all day music festival, due to take place on 21st July has been cancelled, the Town Council has been informed.

The reason is not the damage caused to Greta Park by the last week's Carnival traffic, but - according to a letter from the organisers reported to last night's meeting of the Recreation and Amenities Committee - difficulties in obtaining the necessary temporary event license from the Borough Council.

The organisers are hoping to come back with another date for the Party in the Park, but the cancellation of the 21st July date is probably a good thing considering the condition of the waterlogged ground at the moment. 

Hedge End's carnival went ahead on 7th July as planned despite torrential rain, as other local events, including Southampton's Mela, were cancelled due to the weather and conditions underfoot.

The carnival procession did not drive on to Greta Park for the traditional end of its parade through the streets of Hedge End, but heavy vehicles associated with the Fun Fair and Gala Show were already on the grass, and it is as they have left that most of the damage seems to have been caused. 

The Town Council Stand Before the Rain Really Started

Hedge End Town Council had a stall at the Carnival for the first time, set up and crewed by Cllr Allingham and myself with assistance and moral support at various times from Cllrs Pretty, Houghton, Clarke, Welsh, Tennent and Kyrle.  Although weather conditions this year did not encourage those carnival-goers who ventured onto Greta Park for the Gala Show to stop and chat, we would like to make a Town Council presence at the Carnival, and possibly other events, a regular occurrence.  It's a great way to advertise what the Town Council is doing for the community and to get feedback and ideas from the people of Hedge End who ultimately pay for it.