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Put barbecue ban on the backburner
• THE decision by Lib Dem councillor Flick Rea to ban barbecues is absurd, and undermines community spirit (Summer BBQ ban, May 3). Camden’s rich network of community associations is a rarity in London and festivals with stalls, raffles and, yes, barbecues are a brief opportunity for people to get involved in the community.
Just because one child got injured in Regent’s Park, which the council doesn’t actually run, shouldn’t mean all barbecues should be banned. As with the dog-walking restrictions, the council needs to be less slapdash and provide more evidence for its case and explain why it hasn’t enforced this “unwritten rule” before.
Gas barbecues have a different taste to coal-fired ones. The council might as well ask us to heat everything up in a big portable microwave.
I’ve been an all-day volunteer at Primrose Hill Community Festival barbecue for the last seven years. There have never been any complaints, the area is secure and we follow the rules and advice of council officers.
The council states it would prefer all events to be staffed only by professional caterers. Whatever next – making sure the tombola is run by Ladbrokes?
Unlike professional caterers or pubs, we provide food at affordable prices for all the community. Over these years, we have served hundreds of burgers and raised thousands of pounds for the community association.
I fear Cllr Rea is reaching to find a rational justification for Camden’s new ban on barbecues rather than actually providing one. In doing so, she has made the council a laughing stock. The council should reverse the ban immediately.
CLLR THEO BLACKWELL
Labour, Regent’s Park
• THE Festival of Cultures has been going on for 11 years, for the last 10 years in the heart of Somers Town, one of the most deprived wards in Camden.
In that time we have had residents hold barbecues without any incident. We have closed down anyone who fails to follow the council’s risk assessments.
We have had first-hand experience of professional caterers, who are only interested in profit, with over-the-top prices, and who show no interest in the background to our festival.
Their food prices are an insult to the aims and objectives of our events.
It would have been much better if the council had informed festival organisers about the barbecue ban earlier. We have already sent out our information about stalls.
This is another burden placed on those trying to make a positive difference for the benefit of all.
ALAN PATTERSON
Chairman, Somerstown Art (START)
• COUNCILLOR Flick Rea is wrong when she says the risk of litigation from coal barbecues at fetes is a legitimate reason for banning them.
Each year, community groups sign agreements with the council which include personal liability insurance.
Conjuring up false images of “no win, no fee” lawyers queuing up at community festivals is a smokescreen for a ridiculous policy cooked up by rule-obsessed Lib Dems at the Town Hall – just before the festival season starts.
First, they wanted to restrict dog walking, now they want to ban barbecues. Whatever next?
MELANIE COOKE
Estelle Road, NW3
• COAL barbecues are now banned in spite of there being no history of injuries. In a letter written to festival organisers, the council justified the ban with the argument that “we would be unable to police safe use of coal across our parks”.
“Unable to police” are the key words here. We knew that the Tory-Lib Dem administration is unable to do various things, from protecting services for the more vulnerable to agreeing a policy on Asbos. We are now learning that it is up to Camden’s citizens to restrain from doing things the council is unable to handle. Barbecues, for instance, or other such rebellious endeavours.
Let’s all stop having fun in Camden. Let’s close down youth clubs and voluntary organisations. Such things interfere with the everyday routine, which is all the Tories and Lib Dems are able to cope with.
LUCA SALICE
Mansfield Road, NW3 |
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