A Music Festival next to the park.

Earlier this year a Licence Application was put forward  to use the field at the rear of 9 Acres, Flemings Farm Road, Eastwood, adjacent to the country park, for a music festival.  Many of you expressed concern about the effect it may have on the use of the park during the festival.   Those of you who not only use the park but live in the immediate area have additional concerns.

Because objections were received to the Licence application a Hearing was arranged for April 12th 2013. Representatives of the Friends group attended the Hearing along with several Eastwood residents and two Southend Councillors.  The applicants were represented by their own lawyer and brought two witnesses.

Following a very well prepared and professional presentation by the applicants’ lawyer we, the objecting parties, were given time to state our objections to the licence.  We outlined the following:-

• The proximity of the venue to the bridleway effectively putting it out of use for the bank holiday horse riding parties which have become established.
  

• The peace and quiet of the country park being disturbed by noise nuisance.
  

• The likelihood of event gate crashers using the park to enjoy for free the music being played close by, bringing their own alcohol and camping in the park overnight with subsequent litter problems.
  

• The matter of social networking making this a greater possibility was highlighted and the fact that the park has no facilities for overnight campers – no toilets and consequently litter representing a hygiene, health and safety hazard.
  

• The added danger of camp fires in August 
  

• The use of the narrow farm lane, Flemings Farm Road, as the only entrance and exit to the event was emphasized as a cause for concern, as it is one of the main access routes into the country park for adults and children, horse riders, dog walkers, ramblers, joggers, cyclists – and emergency services.
  

Despite these concerns the committee decided to grant the application and the event for up to 1000 ticket holders will take place for two days over the August Bank Holiday weekend each year. 


At the Hearing it was described as The Day of the Dead, after a Mexican folk festival.
 

Much was made during the hearing of the fact that no complaints were registered from local residents following the smaller event last year, and the fact that no Rochford Councillors had complained. Whilst the Committee weighed carefully the comments that were made by the objectors it was pointed out that there was no substantive evidence to support the claims of the objectors.

The objectors present at the hearing were disappointed but philosophical.  It was agreed that the event sounded very well planned, it was just in the wrong place, being wedged into the space between a dense residential neighbourhood and the country park. 

One of the lessons we learnt, is that in future – if things go wrong, COMPLAIN!  

No doubt the Friends of Cherry Orchard Park will be a presence in the park as observers at the time of the event and we hope that the comprehensive arrangements the event organisers are putting in place will also protect the park. 

Latest Updates

The music festival has a Facebook page and we can see that it won't be called the Day of the Dead as we were told.  It's the Damn Dead Circus.

At the hearing we were played a sample of music typical of that to be played at the festival.  We heard three pieces of  gentle folk music, solo guitar. 

If you are interested the Facebook page now lists all 18 bands that will be playing over the two days.