Discussion about this post

User's avatar
Owen Phillips's avatar

Thanks for the really interesting coverage about the Brockwell Park issue!

I've attended Mighty Hooplah several times and very much match the demographic of the '5 gays with laptops' and ordinarily would describe myself as more of a YIMBY.

However, I've lived very close to Finsbury Park for about 6 years and having experienced the disruption that occurs every summer I feel conflicted.

Every summer in Finsbury park the set up begins, taking over at least 50 percent of the park for weeks and weeks, erecting massive fences that get in the way of thoroughfares, huge trucks roll through, and burly staff in high-vis yell at you if you happen to try and walk or cycle the wrong way.

As someone who has lived without a garden for many years, Finsbury Park operates as my garden, my gym and my social space. I get frustrated when that is taken away from me for big chunks of the warmer months and resent the private companies using a community and public space to make money.

I appreciate that it's an important fundraiser for cash strapped council- but perhaps if we could see tangible results of that money improving the parks it wouldn't leave such a bad taste in the mouth?!

I believe there's a middle ground somewhere that allows festivals to still go ahead, while perhaps minimising the infrastructure, or compacts the set up and pack down time... or perhaps like your piece mentions, it's a case of every other year, or maybe there's alternative spaces that are more suitable?

Expand full comment
Heather Glass's avatar

Brockwell park local here who’s sympathetic to both sides of the argument. I do wish those opposing the festivals could make their arguments without having to get all conspiracy theory the moment someone’s brave enough to pop up in support. Thanks for looking into this!

Expand full comment
15 more comments...

No posts