Following the report published in the August edition of The Moreton Hall Directory, I received notification that the Human Zoo event to be held at Rougham on the weekend of 10th August was cancelled.
The timings were most unfortunate, because at the time, distribution of the magazine was in full swing.
The subject of this event has been very tricky to cover, as there are many opposing views. Whilst many people support such an event being held nearby, there are many people who also believe that this event was not intended to be as it was marketed "A Family Festival". Amongst the greatest concerns was the fear that once the event was underway, it would become uncontrollable, and that the organisers would perhaps not adhere to the conditions of the license. It's very difficult to stop 5,000 people partying once they are in the same place, and they want the party to go on.
In order to provide a rounded report I have obtained a press release from St Edmundsbury Council, and also provide a copy of what has been published on the Human Zoo website.
I urge residents who feel strongly about this event (be it in support of, or in opposition to) to express their concerns, or support and views. Do some research for yourself on the organisers and the DJ's, in order to draw your own conclusion on whether this is an event you would like to support on your doorstep or not. The organisers are looking to obtain license to run the event in 2008.
Press Release from St Edmundsbury Environmental Health Office
St Edmundsbury welcomes events such as these as they add to the range of cultural activities on offer within the borough but they do need to be licensed properly and held in an appropriate location that takes account of the effect on people living nearby.
St Edmundsbury's environmental health officers have been working with the Human Zoo event manager to ensure any noise would be at a reasonable level. No noise abatement notice was served while these discussions were taking place.
Because of the nature of the event, and its location away from the centre of the airfield and near to a number of homes, we advised the event manager we would serve them with a noise abatement notice, setting out exactly what levels of noise would be unacceptable. We met the event manager several times, and have been in correspondence with him, and received assurances that the event could and would meet our requirements.
We advised that if the conditions were breached there would first be a warning and, if they continued to breach the conditions, then a prosecution could be considered – the maximum fine is £20,000.
Notice on Human Zoo Website
Thursday August 2 2007: Bury Council’s Environmental Health Office has today given intention to serve a Noise Abatement Order, leaving us with no option other than to cancel Human Zoo 2007 before it even opens.
Sadly, this is no hoax. With this Order in place, we are advised that we could face unlimited fines for a single noise complaint during the Festival. And further, that any resulting Action could jeopardise the licences granted to our friend and supporter, Rougham Field landowner, Mr John Agnew.
It is therefore with great regret – and out of equally great respect for Mr Agnew - that we announce the cancellation of Human Zoo 2007.
We apologise for any inconvenience to you. This was to be the first ever Human Zoo of many. And we intend to continue with our plans for a Festival in 2008, when we hope you will join us at last for the freshest new Festival in the UK.
In the meantime, we look forward to bringing you news of Human Zoo 2008, plus a host of one-night events in the coming months. And if you’re as disappointed as we are – and would like to help our campaign to ensure that Human Zoo 2008 and other HZ events ARE able to go ahead, please join our mailing list so we can keep you posted and feel free to post your VIEWS on the action taken by Bury St Edmunds Council to close down this great new family Festival.
Thank you for your support. We look forward to hearing from you – and to seeing you at the next Human Zoo music event very soon!
Tom Notley & Dan Soler
Organisers – Human Zoo
Monday, 6 August 2007
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3 comments:
I believe that everyone should be free to enjoy themselves in any legal way so long as that enjoyment does not intrude into other lives. I acknowledge that that is a pretty broad brush, but cannot understand how anyone could consider that the "Human Zoo" event would not intrude into the lives of nearby residents.
Congratulations to all those who opposed the 'Human Zoo' event planned at Rougham air field. By putting pressure on the council to put the organizers in a position , giving them no choice but to cancel, I feel you have scored a massive own goal. Rougham airfield desperately needs income from these events to survive, sending a message to future event organizers that they won't be welcome will, ultimately i'm sure, make the airfield close down so that developers can get on with building a much needed link road to the A14 and many more equally needed houses and commercial units.I am a local resident, i can see the airfield from my house, and seeing it get swallowed up by homes and factorys will be a great shame just because 'a few locals' can't put up with others enjoying themselves for one weekend.
It's official - this weekend I am ashamed to be classed as a Moreton Hall resident due the totally over the board reaction to the 'Human Zoo' event. Do the residents want more housing and roads put through the lovely green belt offered by the airfield and surrounding fields? What message does this give to other event organisers - next the few complainers will be saying 'cancel the Kite Festival as I can see them from my house'!! Or will the planes be too noisy for them? I also live very near the airfield and did not have a problem with the event and hoped it would bring much needed funds and secure the future of this airfield.
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