Post by Simon Thomson on May 4, 2006 14:55:58 GMT
Dear Sergeant x (just in case!),
Please note that this e-mail has been forwarded to:
Mr x (Purbeck District Council),
x (Dorset Police),
x (Purple Purge, Wimborne),
x (Purbeck Community Action)
x (Upton Community Police)
x (MP)
Thank you for your e-mail of 3rd May 2006.
Firstly I would like to confirm that the 2006 Upton Music Festival has been cancelled, as I do not see any way that we can find the number of SIA Registered Security Staff, or, if we find them, how we could guarantee to be able to pay them the £17,000 required. The increase in the amount that would be needed from £12,000 to £17,000 is due to a quotation of £15 per hour for each of the 32 staff required over the 3 days, rather than the estimate I made of £10.
The venues.
Upton Community Centre.
You expressed, in your e-mail, some concern regarding the suitability of Upton Community Centre for such an event. I find this a little strange, and hard to understand as the Community Centre was built with the idea of putting on all types of Live events. It has a good sized stage and a clear open floor, it has more than adequate fire escapes and, in the event of an emergency could be emptied within around 60 seconds. I have it on good authority that the centre is licensed to hold an audience of 320 close seated. Live Music events have in the past been limited to 280 audience, this number has now been reduced further to 250 on my recommendation.
At the last Rock event I put on there, the sound levels, humidity and temperature, which were highlighted by the Environmental Health Authority, as a concern, were monitored constantly. A sound limit of 110 Db at 9 feet from the speakers was recommended and adhered to, with constant checks outside to make sure that the neighbours backing on to the centre were not inconvenienced and a phone call from a resident after the event showed this to be successful. The humidity rose steadily throughout the evening and peaked at 67% while the temperature inside never rose above 23 degrees Celsius, much to my surprise, considering the energy that was being exerted by those dancing.
Lytchett & Upton Working Men's Club
I understand fully your comments and concerns over the law and constitution of the Lytchett & Upton Working Men's Club. As a work around for 2007, do you think that the committee would be with in their rights to introduce a byelaw enabling them to admit people to their venue over the 3 days of the proposed festival? I have not discussed this further than suggesting this idea to Vanessa Fancy, the clubs event secretary, who thought that it may be a possibility.
Royal British Legion
I understand now, that their constitution does not allow them to hold an open event unless it is designed to further their charity. One possible solution to this could be to say that all money taken on the doors would go to them, or by making them one of the local charities that the festival is designed to help.
SIA Registered Staffing
x from Purple Purge, Wimborne, the instigator of a proposed plan, and I, are in the process of drawing up plans to bring together a group of volunteers who would be trained and licenses paid for by contributions from events held and interested parties.
xxxxxxxxxx, Bournemouth are one of the companies that I have been in contact with regarding training these volunteers at a cost of £1,400 for up to 16 people +£50 per person. In your phone call this morning, you mentioned another, Poole based company who may be able to help, could you let me know their details or their name, so that I can talk to them.
This would be a far more community oriented way of progressing, drawing from the current group of responsible adults who help at Live Music Events in the area. These adults are used to working with the age group of the audience that Upton Music Festival would expect to draw in to the Community Centre, which is in the 14 to 18 year old age group, as a number of them work in community based projects already; scouting, local schools etc.
In conclusion.
I would, if possible, like to ask for a meeting that would involve, not only myself as the event organiser, but also a representative from the Police Licensing Authority, Purbeck Licensing Authority, the secretaries and representatives from each of the venues, Purbeck Community Action, Upton Town Council and possibly a couple of local people who have voiced concerns over events in the Community Centre. The reason for the meeting would be, as suggested by you over the telephone this morning, to iron out any problems or concerns that the meeting raised.
I would like to put on a festival on the 6th, 7th and 8th (the second weekend) of July 2007. I would also like this to be more diverse in its appeal with a town fair, scouting activities, police, ambulance and fire services, as well as church, groups and school involvement. This would be a town event, with people organising their own events all co-ordinated through a central committee of four or five people.
Additional reading (if you still have the will to continue!)
Just in case you are wondering, I personally will make no financial gains from the festival, as ALL profit will go to the chosen charities.
Why do I want to put it on? I am concerned that the young people in Upton are being pushed out to areas, away from the town, their homes and their parents/guardians, who then have no control over their behaviour which in turn gives Upton a name is does not deserve. There are also, in Upton 8 bands to my knowledge, all wanting to listen to, and be offered, the opportunity to play in front of an audience.
Upton is fast becoming a town which residents use as a dormitory, there is little social interaction in the town, as there is no reason for adults, let alone the youth, to meet or even go out on an evening. This in turn, I believe, is one reason (but not the only one) for the groups of young people who, to a lot of locals, are intimidating and 'trouble'. They have nothing to focus on, no reason to look after the town, and nowhere to go.
The youth that come to the Community Centre and to the music events that have been held there are a good crowd, they are always polite, thoughtful and as responsible as any 16 year old should be. In the 10 events I have put on, there have been no fights and only a little, drunkenness, which is being stamped down on. Local alcohol outlets will, from now on, be informed two days before an event to keep an eye out for people buying alcohol to pfool on to people who are under age. All alcohol found on people who are underage is being confiscated, but if they refuse to hand it over, the police will be called. People who show signs of being under the influence of drugs or alcohol are refused admission to the building, except to use toilet facilities or for medical foolistance.
Residents concerns, mainly over noise, are being addressed. One of the measures to counter this, is a letter which goes out to all residents bordering the Community Centre, informing them of future events, the name and contact number of a LUCA (Lytchett Minster and Upton Community foolociation) representative who will be supervising the event, should there be any complaints or concerns.
I have had verbal support, for the various events, from a number of people including; local residents, the police officers that attend, as they are always informed when an event is to be held, who all say that this is just what the youth need. I have also heard some complaints from residents who feel intimidated by the youth gathering in the community centre car park before an event. The people who are waiting to enter the building are asked to keep their voices down, to behave in a sensible manner and to consider the local residents, and there are always two or three adults patrolling the car park to keep some semblance of control.
I need advice, not on what I am doing wrong, but on how to make what I am doing run smoothly and with in the law. Your help, advice and support would be gratefully received.
Please note that this e-mail has been forwarded to:
Mr x (Purbeck District Council),
x (Dorset Police),
x (Purple Purge, Wimborne),
x (Purbeck Community Action)
x (Upton Community Police)
x (MP)
Thank you for your e-mail of 3rd May 2006.
Firstly I would like to confirm that the 2006 Upton Music Festival has been cancelled, as I do not see any way that we can find the number of SIA Registered Security Staff, or, if we find them, how we could guarantee to be able to pay them the £17,000 required. The increase in the amount that would be needed from £12,000 to £17,000 is due to a quotation of £15 per hour for each of the 32 staff required over the 3 days, rather than the estimate I made of £10.
The venues.
Upton Community Centre.
You expressed, in your e-mail, some concern regarding the suitability of Upton Community Centre for such an event. I find this a little strange, and hard to understand as the Community Centre was built with the idea of putting on all types of Live events. It has a good sized stage and a clear open floor, it has more than adequate fire escapes and, in the event of an emergency could be emptied within around 60 seconds. I have it on good authority that the centre is licensed to hold an audience of 320 close seated. Live Music events have in the past been limited to 280 audience, this number has now been reduced further to 250 on my recommendation.
At the last Rock event I put on there, the sound levels, humidity and temperature, which were highlighted by the Environmental Health Authority, as a concern, were monitored constantly. A sound limit of 110 Db at 9 feet from the speakers was recommended and adhered to, with constant checks outside to make sure that the neighbours backing on to the centre were not inconvenienced and a phone call from a resident after the event showed this to be successful. The humidity rose steadily throughout the evening and peaked at 67% while the temperature inside never rose above 23 degrees Celsius, much to my surprise, considering the energy that was being exerted by those dancing.
Lytchett & Upton Working Men's Club
I understand fully your comments and concerns over the law and constitution of the Lytchett & Upton Working Men's Club. As a work around for 2007, do you think that the committee would be with in their rights to introduce a byelaw enabling them to admit people to their venue over the 3 days of the proposed festival? I have not discussed this further than suggesting this idea to Vanessa Fancy, the clubs event secretary, who thought that it may be a possibility.
Royal British Legion
I understand now, that their constitution does not allow them to hold an open event unless it is designed to further their charity. One possible solution to this could be to say that all money taken on the doors would go to them, or by making them one of the local charities that the festival is designed to help.
SIA Registered Staffing
x from Purple Purge, Wimborne, the instigator of a proposed plan, and I, are in the process of drawing up plans to bring together a group of volunteers who would be trained and licenses paid for by contributions from events held and interested parties.
xxxxxxxxxx, Bournemouth are one of the companies that I have been in contact with regarding training these volunteers at a cost of £1,400 for up to 16 people +£50 per person. In your phone call this morning, you mentioned another, Poole based company who may be able to help, could you let me know their details or their name, so that I can talk to them.
This would be a far more community oriented way of progressing, drawing from the current group of responsible adults who help at Live Music Events in the area. These adults are used to working with the age group of the audience that Upton Music Festival would expect to draw in to the Community Centre, which is in the 14 to 18 year old age group, as a number of them work in community based projects already; scouting, local schools etc.
In conclusion.
I would, if possible, like to ask for a meeting that would involve, not only myself as the event organiser, but also a representative from the Police Licensing Authority, Purbeck Licensing Authority, the secretaries and representatives from each of the venues, Purbeck Community Action, Upton Town Council and possibly a couple of local people who have voiced concerns over events in the Community Centre. The reason for the meeting would be, as suggested by you over the telephone this morning, to iron out any problems or concerns that the meeting raised.
I would like to put on a festival on the 6th, 7th and 8th (the second weekend) of July 2007. I would also like this to be more diverse in its appeal with a town fair, scouting activities, police, ambulance and fire services, as well as church, groups and school involvement. This would be a town event, with people organising their own events all co-ordinated through a central committee of four or five people.
Additional reading (if you still have the will to continue!)
Just in case you are wondering, I personally will make no financial gains from the festival, as ALL profit will go to the chosen charities.
Why do I want to put it on? I am concerned that the young people in Upton are being pushed out to areas, away from the town, their homes and their parents/guardians, who then have no control over their behaviour which in turn gives Upton a name is does not deserve. There are also, in Upton 8 bands to my knowledge, all wanting to listen to, and be offered, the opportunity to play in front of an audience.
Upton is fast becoming a town which residents use as a dormitory, there is little social interaction in the town, as there is no reason for adults, let alone the youth, to meet or even go out on an evening. This in turn, I believe, is one reason (but not the only one) for the groups of young people who, to a lot of locals, are intimidating and 'trouble'. They have nothing to focus on, no reason to look after the town, and nowhere to go.
The youth that come to the Community Centre and to the music events that have been held there are a good crowd, they are always polite, thoughtful and as responsible as any 16 year old should be. In the 10 events I have put on, there have been no fights and only a little, drunkenness, which is being stamped down on. Local alcohol outlets will, from now on, be informed two days before an event to keep an eye out for people buying alcohol to pfool on to people who are under age. All alcohol found on people who are underage is being confiscated, but if they refuse to hand it over, the police will be called. People who show signs of being under the influence of drugs or alcohol are refused admission to the building, except to use toilet facilities or for medical foolistance.
Residents concerns, mainly over noise, are being addressed. One of the measures to counter this, is a letter which goes out to all residents bordering the Community Centre, informing them of future events, the name and contact number of a LUCA (Lytchett Minster and Upton Community foolociation) representative who will be supervising the event, should there be any complaints or concerns.
I have had verbal support, for the various events, from a number of people including; local residents, the police officers that attend, as they are always informed when an event is to be held, who all say that this is just what the youth need. I have also heard some complaints from residents who feel intimidated by the youth gathering in the community centre car park before an event. The people who are waiting to enter the building are asked to keep their voices down, to behave in a sensible manner and to consider the local residents, and there are always two or three adults patrolling the car park to keep some semblance of control.
I need advice, not on what I am doing wrong, but on how to make what I am doing run smoothly and with in the law. Your help, advice and support would be gratefully received.