GALA 2025

[cxh692]

Consultation findings report attached. 

GALA Series 2025 consultation findings report.pdf APPENDIX 2 - updated event site map.pdf

[fishboy]

So following the box ticking and predictable ignoring of the 'consultation' and 'stakeholder meetings' the foregone conclusion has been reached, and the journey towards a two weekend festival, with ever increasing numbers and expanding boundaries, begins...

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Re: GALA Music Festival – event application ref: SWKEVE000820 - NOTICE OF DECISION regarding event consultation

We write to inform you that the event application submitted by Assembled GALA Ltd to hold GALA Music Festival and On the Rye Festival in Peckham Rye Park on the 23 - 26 May 2025 has been approved.

The consultation findings report is provided again for reference (please see attached).

The issuing of the events licence is subject to the following: 

That the event operator delivers the event in line with Southwark’s Outdoor Events Policy
That the event operator delivers the event in line with the conditions listed in the Event Licence Agreement
That the event operator delivers the event in line with the conditions attached to the Premises Licence
That the event operator obtains any other permission or licence required in relation to holding the event
That the event operator delivers the event in line with the Event Safety Management Plan, of which all elements must be approved by the relevant members of Southwark’s Safety Advisory Group

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Best wishes,

Charlie Simm

On behalf of Southwark’s Events team

[first mate]

Well, what a huge surprise!

So, while the council digs up local footpaths to plant trees and 'green' the roads, it simultaneously offers up our parkland to private hire for a further extended period of annual damage. 

It is hard to see from the map, but it looks as though the footpath that was formerly available to walk along the length of the event site of old will now also be partially used up by the new footprint, it looks like it will be partly roped off?

I love how the final council report advise that 'while locals will be unable to use this nicer part of the park for a month ( and actually much of summer as it all gets churned up and has to be reseeded) that this is fine as they can just use the Common instead. 
 
It feels wrong that the nicer part of the park is given over for festival use. I do not buy that, as has been stated, the Common is just not big enough for the Gala event.

Edited April 16 by first mate

[Penguin68]

I think it is less easy/ more expensive to fence off the Common, as opposed to the nicer parts, which is why our nicer parts are hawked off to Gala. Why should we have access to nicer parts of our park in summer when we might most like to have access if it can be monetised. It's ironic really that this council is so Trumpy. 

[first mate]

I think one of the organiser's marketing lines for the event describes the festival as 'nestled' in the park- clearly having the trees and park as a backdrop is viewed as a major selling point.

[fishboy]

18 hours ago, Penguin68 said:

I think it is less easy/ more expensive to fence off the Common

I would have thought the cost of erecting X meters of metal barriers would be the same irrespective of location, plus given the issues with access now due to the "bunds", it would also be easier given the ample direct access the common provides?

The reason I've heard from the organisers is that their footprint has been tailor made for that part of the park, so it's not possible to fit it anywhere else. Which is a ridiculous argument given that  they've already altered / extended it due to the space they've 'lost' from the "bunds".

The reason I've heard from FOPR and others is that as the common is public land (or similar) it requires permission from the Home Secretary (or similar) due to ancient grazing rights or something. Oddly it doesn't seem to have affected the circus, the steam fair, the dog show etc etc etc

20 hours ago, first mate said:

It is hard to see from the map, but it looks as though the footpath that was formerly available to walk along the length of the event site of old will now also be partially used up by the new footprint, it looks like it will be partly roped off? 

Yes, the wide path where Parkrun starts & finishes will become a controlled crossing during the build, and completely closed off during the festival.

Also, when I asked about the reason for the extended footprint onto the sports pitch, they said it was to replace lost space where the bunds are, which they used to store equipment. However, they were unable to explain where this storage area now was on the new plan...

And when asked about the loss of the sports pitch due to the extension & access road, they said the council had assured them there were no matches booked for that period. But what about the kids, families, who play on them? No answer...

[Spartacus]

This will be interesting to watch 

https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/brockwell-park-mighty-hoopla-field-day-legal-challenge-b1223476.html

Locals are launching a legal challenge against events in Brockwell Park on grounds of ecological damage. 

Two questions arise if they win 

1. Will events scheduled there look for alternative venues, maybe Peckham Rye 

2. Will a win for the locals set a president for other parks 

[first mate]

More power to them. I very much hope they win and it would be fantastic if a precedent is set to stop exploitation of park land by councils. I would also like to see Gala moved to the Common- revellers would be closer to transport hubs and since part of the common used to be a large tarmac area, it just feels a much more suitable site, leaving the actual park free for use by locals and visitors to enjoy nature, wildlife and the scenery.

Edited Wednesday at 06:40 by first mate