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Council to challenge medieval fun day

by Ria Nortcliffe
18/ 6/2008

ALDERLEY Edge parish councillors are going to appeal against Macclesfield Borough Council’s decision to grant a licence for a medieval fayre in the village.

Outraged councillors said they will lodge an objection to the Middle Ages weekend in the interests of health, safety and on highways grounds.

At Monday’s meeting, June 16, councillors agreed to write to Wilmslow’s NPU Inspector Luke McDonnell to ask why the police had no objections to the proposed bash on the land between Upcast Lane and Clay Lane. They will ask how police propose to cope with the huge volume of traffic expected to turn up for the event.

Councillor Mike Williams said he believed public safety could be comprised. He said: "It is going to be a criminals’ field day because all the police will be down there policing it.

"We also need to ask the police where the blue route is going to be and how emergency vehicles will cope.And I’d like to know who is going to pay for the policing at the event."

Chairman Coun Mary Maczkowiak added: "I think the organisers should pay for the policing if this thing goes ahead. It shouldn’t be the taxpayer. And what about the security on site and the health and safety?"

Wilmslow NPU Inspector Luke McDonnell said they may still appeal the decision if there isn’t a suitable plan to manage the volume of people and vehicles in the village during the event.

He said: "We are still waiting for the traffic management plan to come through to us.  If it is not suitable then we will appeal but I think it will be something we can work on and find a solution to.  However, I don’t know who will actually be paying for policing on the day."

The 1425 Medieval Fun Weekend will host archery contests, foot jousts, a children’s battle, medieval rules football, a real ale and mead tent, hog roast and music, with 70 stewards policing the event along with the Mercian Regiment and a local rugby club, according to Fred Ford, one of the organisers.

He said Cheshire Fire Service would provide a tender on site and there would be random baggage checks on the door, a canine toilet area and a Challenge 21 alcohol policy.

The event will take place on Saturday and Sunday, July 18-19, at the Yews Farm, Clay Lane, Wilmslow.