Strawberry Fair 2010

[William of Walworth]

Thought I'd start this year's SF thread as nobody else has yet.

There was a bit of a worry in and around Cambridge in recent weeks what with the Cambridgeshire Police threatening to oppose this year's Fair.

Luckily, the full licence hearing at Cambridge City Council threw out the Police's objections and granted a licence, while accepting various reassurances from the organisers.

It seems that there will be a reduction in the number of stages -- but by this they seem to mean reduced numbe of large stages, so there shuld still be plenty of smaller venue entertainment, I'd hope.

Also the organisers are promising more toilets -- double, apparantly!

None of this news seems yet to have been posted up on Strawberry Fair's own website -- bloody hippies!

For more background information on the Fair, see the /index.php?act=Search&CODE=show&searchid=57c1f8165ddf9b5665e63396d0a587e7&search_in=titles&result_type=topics&highlite=%2Bstrawberry">old efestivals SF threads from 2008 and 2009

Sad to say though, festivaldeb and I will NOT be able to make Strawberry Fair this June, because of the unwelcome date clash with Sunrise Celebration in Somerset. In my case it will be my first missed Fair since the early 1990s .....

But those who do make it, make sure you enjoy. One of our last survving free festivals and a very nice event on a beautiful riverside site in Central Cambridge.

Edited March 16, 2010 by William of Walworth

[5co77ie]

news here:

http://www.efestivals.co.uk/news/10/100319d.shtml

[Suzannah]

news here:

http://www.efestivals.co.uk/news/10/100319d.shtml

[sparklecazza]

Sorry guys, it's all true,

http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/Home/Straw...r-cancelled.htm

[William of Walworth]

Just now picked up on this news, that Strawberry Fair 2010 is now well and truly cancelled

Tis an absolute shocker. First cancellation since 1974 I believe. I've always been OK about the Cambridgeshire Police** in the past because in most recent Fairs, they've adopted a fairly low key and tolerent approach on site. Looks like they're aiming to play hardball now though.

**As opposed to the British Transport Police at the station, who treat all fairgoers like criminals

It could be that the Police are underestimating how experienced the SF organisers are at preparing for, defending, lobbying for and keeping going the Fair.

We can only hope that while SF has lost the 2010 battle, they'll win the 2011 war ....

Edited March 19, 2010 by William of Walworth

[5co77ie]

Sorry guys, it's all true,

http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/Home/Straw...r-cancelled.htm

[5co77ie]

There's a petition here to try and stop the charging of community events for the cost of the policing

http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/communityevents/

[drev79]

Good news, all you get there is a bunch of lowlife stoners and junkies.

[Guest Flip]

Good news, all you get there is a bunch of lowlife stoners and junkies.

[dorlomin]

Whats the thinking of people here that the police are trying to force this to become a paid event so that they can get their snouts into some dosh?

Im guessing it will be widely accepted but just wanting to hear....

[youngie]

youll probably find a shitload of people will turn up and get pissed on midsummer common that day anyway. so i wouldnt worry too much, youll probably still have a laugh if you tipped up

[5co77ie]

License approved for 2010:

The City Council have approved the license variation request (which dealt with the issues that the Police raised in response to the initial license). The license changes are minor revisions which support our ambitions for the future of the Fair.

In 2011 we plan to have more people greeting and monitoring the public as they arrive on Midsummer Common. As in previous years the entrances into the Fair will be stewarded by qualified personnel. Their role is to be the face of the Fair, giving information and advice, but also to stop individuals carrying an excessive amount of alcohol or those suspected of being in possession of drugs.