Slough Mela cancelled for second year running
Slough’s largest community event has been axed for the second year in a row with organisers accusing the police of making ‘unreasonable’ demands for providing security at the festival.
The company behind the Slough Mela has been told that this year’s music and culture bash can only go ahead on the condition that it pays Thames Valley Police £31,000 for policing the one-day event.
East London Festival (ELF) claims that TVP have demanded the payment four weeks in advance of the Mela and have imposed ‘very difficult’ licensing conditions with threats of prosecution if breached.
The Mela, which was expected to attract 15,000 people, was cancelled in 2006 due to a row over policing costs. It was axed again last year following disagreements between the previous organisers and the authorities.
Superintendent Chris Shead, commander for Slough, said: “It is disappointing to hear that the organiser has cancelled this year’s Slough Mela.
“When determining the resources needed to police the Slough Mela, Thames Valley Police’s only intention is to ensure the safety of the people who attend the event. The licensing conditions largely address the same issue.”
Source: Maidenhead Advertiser
Categories: Uncategorized
Tags: community events, East London Festival, event licensing, Event Security, security at festivals, Slough Mela 09
Comments (5)
ali
July 15th, 2009 at 9:10 pm
plz tell me this is a lie and slough mela is still on 4 2009
kaz
July 19th, 2009 at 5:38 am
SLOUGH MELA 2009 HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO POLICE PROBLEMS.
http://slough-mela.com/
sobia
July 19th, 2009 at 8:31 am
its a shame tat slough mela is cancelled, was looking 4rwd to it.
malik nasir parvez
July 19th, 2009 at 8:36 am
I am 8 years old from maidenhead, was looking forward to slough mela, its annoying i cant get to the london mela. plz for next year let the slough mela go on.
kaz
July 19th, 2009 at 2:02 pm
LIST OF OTHER MELAS
http://www.bbc.co.uk/asiannetwork/events/melas/2009/
EAST LONDON MELA
Sun 02 Aug 2009
Location: Barking Park, London
The East London Mela offers extensive activities targeting the whole family.
THE EDINBURGH MELA
Fri 07 – Sun 09 Aug 2009
Location: Pilrig Park
The Edinburgh Mela is an exciting celebration of the people, places and identities that reflect the diverse communities.
CARDIFF MELA
Sun 09 Aug 2009
Location: Oval Basin, Roald Dahl Plass
The Mela showcases a wide diversity of cultures, music, dance, arts, fashion and food to name a few.
LONDON MELA
Sun 16 Aug 2009
Location: Gunnersbury Park, Acton
London Mela is a major free festival celebrating Asian arts, culture and creativity.
NEWHAM UNDER THE STARS
Fri 04 Sep 2009
Location: Central Park, Stratford, East London
The mela rocks back into Central Park this summer offering a heavenly cocktail of music for the masses.
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