New Year Celebrations

I am writing to comment on the New Years Eve Celebrations, which for many years in Wendover, have always been a wonderful celebration. Before fireworks took centre stage people used to congregate at the Clock Tower to sing ‘Auld Lang Syne.’ More recently fireworks became more prominent.

Unfortunately, due to various concerns raised by ‘some people’ reference the concept of what is occurring, this year, due to these outside pressures, the evening was a bit of a ‘damp squib.’ We all fully appreciate the H & S regulations regarding ‘safety of the individual’, but to date over the last 30yrs no-one has been hurt, to my knowledge, & 300+ people stood in the road normally calms traffic. The recent firework suppliers, allegedly, were put under pressure, affecting their business, not to supply them.

I fully appreciate that any Council has ‘full duty of care’ for its residents therefore can never actively be seen to support any ‘Meeting of People’ that does not follow the due regulations.

With regard to the other issues raised previously, including street cleanliness, I feel quite disappointed as I know that there is always a section of the community, usually the White Swan, who will always attend & assist, funnily enough having got up at 6am these are not the ones who complain.

This is not an organised event, it just happens, and I like to think it is because we are a true community, supported by all residents. I only hope that through the next year the situation can be resolved & the people of Wendover can again celebrate New Year.