Debate on Galtres Festival (From York Press)

Debate on Galtres Festival

11:39am Thursday 31st January 2013 in Letters By Reader's letter

NEIL RAW (Letters, January, 23) is concerned about the Galtres Festival moving to Rawcliffe. I attended the festival last year with my teenage boys. It was so different to what I was expecting.

Most of the attendees were families. I met so many parents that I hadn’t seen since my days at the school gates and yes, it was possible to have conversations with them, even in front of the main stage.

The music is not really loud – it’s not that type of event. It was well run, with an army of volunteers and paid security. There was music and entertainment for all ages and tastes, with Adam Ant taking me back to my youth. Litter pickers kept the site clean and each morning it was spotless.

Yes, alcohol was available and the beer festival is a big part of the event, but we never saw anyone drunk. I’m sure I will not be alone in looking forward to enjoying a glass or two of cider and being able to walk home.

Perhaps those who are against this event should participate in the consultation process and let the organisers address their concerns.

Sue Taylor, Rawcliffe Drive, York.

• WHILE not wanting to be a party pooper, I have serious reservations about Galtres Festival being held in the Rawcliffe Country Park, because it is so close to a residential area.

I have attended many music festivals, but most have been held in places where there has been limited impact on residents. I cannot see that being possible in the proposed location.

The impact to the ground from the Kaboom festival was evident for months afterwards and the excess mud has only just started to disappear.

The name of the event is the Galtres Festival, not the Rawcliffe Festival, and therefore wouldn’t the Forest of Galtres be a better venue?

They can make as much noise as they want there, go on as late as they want and the cars can wend there way in and around the local roads rather than blocking up one of the main roadways of York.

Dee Boyle, Rawcliffe, York.