Wiltshire Police challenge the legality of WOMAD's licence

According to This Is Wiltshire, (here), Police are challenging the legality of the licence granted for this year's WOMAD - World of Music, Arts and Dance held at Charlton Park, near Malmesbury, in Wiltshire.

The article publishes a statement from Wiltshire Police, saying, "WOMAD and Wiltshire Police did not reach an agreement in relation to special policing services for the 2012 WOMAD event by the agreed deadline in June. As a result, Wiltshire Police are now challenging the legality of the license for the event. Discussions with the organisers of WOMAD continue and we hope to reach an appropriate resolution to this matter in due course."

The Police's challenge will mean that festival organisers may not know until just over a week before their 30th anniversary celebration from Friday 27th to Sunday 29th July 2012 whether their licence has been approved.

A spokesman for WOMAD is quoted as saying, "As is the case every year, WOMAD has been in ongoing and open discussions with Wiltshire Police about the policing strategy for the 2012 festival for several months, and in a letter received on June 11 the police imposed a five-day deadline for agreement.

"WOMAD submitted a revised proposal for policing by the imposed deadline. We now know the proposal has been rejected by the Wiltshire Constabulary, and we are seeking clarification for the reasons they have taken this action."

The rejection means a standard 28-day consultation period is now active before a hearing is held by Wiltshire Council, the licensing authority, unless organisers and the police can come to a prior agreement.

Although policing is something they are duty bound to provide for the public, and we pay taxes for them to provide such a service, this is additional policing which the event has to pay for. Even though it's actually displacement policing, as they are policing people at the festival who they would still have to police elsewhere if the festival wasn't happening. However, the festival is obliged to pay for this additional protection.

WOMAD have enjoyed a 'positive and constructive' relationship with the police over the past five years, making it one of the safest major festivals in the country, with a spokesman adding, "WOMAD and the Wiltshire Constabulary will continue to work together to present the county's finest festival, a festival that has been embraced by the communities of north Wiltshire and brings so much economic benefit to local businesses and people during difficult times. Both sides fully anticipate a successful outcome from further discussions."

In cases like these the licence issues are usually resolved before the hearing.

The line-up includes Linton Kwesi Johnson & The Dennis Bovell Dub Band, Patrick Wolf, Robert Plant's new project Sensational Space Shifters, Hugh Masekela, Jimmy Cliff, The Manganiyar Seduction by Roysten Abel, Femi Kuti, Khaled, Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu, Toddla T & MC Serocee, DJ Yoda & The Transiberian Marching Band, Balkan Beat Box, The Correspondents, NZShapeShifter, Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra, Peatbog Faeries, Raghu Dixit, Mama Rosin, Ben l'Oncle Soul, Balkan Alien Sound, Alaev Family, Ane Brun, Boubacar Traore, Buena Vista Social Club, Dizraeli and the Small Gods, Kimmo Pohjonen and DakhaBrakha, Marewrew, Secousse DJs featuring Etienne Tron and Mo Laudi, Jupiter Okwess International, Ballet Nimba, Keb' Mo', The Wilderness of Manitoba, Grupo Fantasma, Lo'Jo, Joe Driscoll & Seckou Kouyate, Narasirato, Spiro, Terem Quartet, Vadoinmessico, Pine Leaf Boys, Soul Rebels Brass Band, Portico Quartet, Jamie Catto, Revere, Damien Dempsey, Spoek Mathambo, Kareyce Fotso, Batida, Omar Pene, Carlou D, Blick Bassy, Hot Water, Urbain Phileas, Owiny Sigoma Band Soundsystem, Maga Bo, Deolinda, Nuba Nour, Apsilies, Chet Nuneta, The Malmesbury Schools Project and Youth Music Voices, The Barons Of Tang, and Lions Of Africa. With many more to be announced. For the line-up details as available please click here.

Tickets have already been selling fast with the full allocation to people living in the Malmesbury already sold out along with the option to park and camp next to your vehicle, and Meadow Park & Camp are disappearing fast.

A weekend ticket - which are valid from the Friday until Sunday are priced at £135 (Thursday arrivals will also need a Thursday camping ticket costing £25).

WOMAD will also be offering a family friendly 4 monthly payment plan so that WOMAD festival goers can spread their total payments over a longer period of time.

Other ticket prices & options available will include:
Teenage Weekend Ticket (aged 14-17) - £70
Early Bird Disabled Weekend Ticket - £135
A campervan ticket is priced at £40

Children 13 and under can come free with each adult ticket holder, but need a free child ticket. All children must hold their own ticket and must be accompanied by a ticket holding parent or guardian over the age of 21. One ticket holding parent or guardian can only accompany up to 4 people under the age of 18. Thursday tickets do not need to be purchased for children aged 13 and under.

To buy tickets, click here.

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