CarFest complainers felt "under siege" (From Basingstoke Gazette)
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CarFest complainers felt "under siege"
11:10am Saturday 1st September 2012 in Local By Helen Morton
Colin Fowles, 44, Neville Barnes, 58, Kate Davies, 16, Karen Davies, 47, and Mark Davies
FAMILIES living just a stone’s throw from CarFest said the event brought nothing but problems – and fear that future events could be even worse.
Residents say traffic problems, noise, safety and privacy made it “intolerable” to live near the site.
The home of Mark and Karen Davies backs on to the camp site and the fences around the event surrounded their garden.
Mr Davies, 54, who is chief executive of Imperial College Healthcare in London, said: “People say that it’s just for the weekend. If that was the case we might be able to put up with it.
“But they have been setting up for three weeks and will likely take a couple of weeks to take everything down again. We’re not against CarFest at all but it should be held in a designated event site, not around people’s houses.”
Mrs Davies, 47, described living in the house while the festival was going on, as being “under siege”.
The company director said: “Even when the music finished the generators were still on. The lights were incredibly bright and shone into the house at night into our children’s bedrooms.
“We had supercars coming past at ridiculous speeds and with people walking in the road to get to the festival it was just not safe.”
Another neighbour, who did not want to be named, said: “There haven’t been any compromises.
“We have tried talking to the Scheckters but they said they wouldn’t move it further away or change any of their plans.”
CarFest event director Nicola Meadley told The Gazette that work began setting up the festival on August 13, two weeks before the event itself, and claimed noise and disruption would have been minimal during the first week.
She said the majority of cars for display had arrived by transporter and that organisers had compromised with residents about the car park.
Comments(44)
localfella
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3:35pm Sat 1 Sep 12
stevemac1970
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3:43pm Sat 1 Sep 12
localfella wrote:And if it would have been better situated I have no doubt it would have both raised more and had more support, I believe the charity involved is not in the business of upsetting people's lives for a few thousand quid, they want to keep them onside to make them feel more generous and raise more as a result. Charity is about improving people's lives not disrupting them.... Maybe if you ask children in need their view they may not agree but I'm sure they will say something very much the same.
£350.000 raised for children in need....Do we really need to moan when such a good cause is helped?
AndyK100
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7:19pm Sat 1 Sep 12
stevemac1970
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7:32pm Sat 1 Sep 12
AndyK100 wrote:So why did they ignore those who's homes backed onto the site. I know the Scheckters do a good deal for charity, but they failed their neighbours this time. Supporters were consulted well, those against we're ignored. The Scheckters are an important part of the community and I have great respect for them, but they seem to have upset neighbours and visitors alike. If you were at carfest or wanted to see it then it worked but if you were a neighbour who didn't want it then it wasn't pleasant at all. Being a responsible member of a community is about more than listening, it's about understanding and acting on it. There were plenty of better places, even on the A303.
So is having the Red Arrows, two tornadoes and a Vulcan fly over your garden not compensation enough for being able to see such fantastics cars go to and from the A303. Yes there was a bit of inconvenience due to the traffic but the Scheckters and their team worked well with the local community if you were actually willing to get involved.
AndyK100
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7:54pm Sat 1 Sep 12
stevemac1970
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8:09pm Sat 1 Sep 12
AndyK100 wrote:Sorry, I thought I was saying about the fact that there are better places to hold an event and that's what those who live right next to it are saying. Are all of the others on here really saying there isn't a better place with better access and less neighbours so close. There are plenty of fields better placed and less disruption caused. Had the organisers listened that's what the residents were saying. As for the red arrows, if you want them flying over your house you'd live next to the airfield they practice at. If you want to see cars driving too fast up and down your street you don't live next door to a buffalow farm and golf course. It's a great thing that's been done, it's just in the wrong place. Can anyone honestly say that the south of England has nowhere more suitable for such an event.... Better access, less neighbours and therefore less disruption. Agreed a great event but can't say it was the right place.
So do we shut down Popham Airport or work with them, the recent mega bike meeting the week before caused just as much of a problem if you really wanted to be picky. But again another well run event and they worked well with the neighbours.
AndyK100
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8:19pm Sat 1 Sep 12
Overton Gal
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9:20pm Sat 1 Sep 12
stevemac1970 wrote:In response: yes diversions we're in place to keep any traffic moving. As a local very close to the site I neither saw or heard anything resembling 'a nightmare'.
The place was a nightmare, I was staying a very short distance and the roads were all diverted off in a big circle, all well and good to keep traffic flowing but nobody wants to go that far out of their way and use extra fuel with the price of it. The cars did not all arrive on transporters as suggested, many could be seen driving up and down the high street during the event. It may not have been what the organisers expected but people did try to say and it did happen. If such an event is to be held again, those who live in the area should have a hand in the organising. If not, might I suggest somewhere suitable be used rather than a village with such limited capacity.
The cars involved in the show: many did indeed arrive via transporters etc. The cars to which you refer we're part of an organisation called 'Sporting Bears' who give their time & fuel to attend events such as this and provide rides in their vehicles in exchange for charitable donations. Plenty of locals have commented on how lovely it was to see these splendid cars and the organisation raised over £5,500.00 over those two days.
Many of the villagers attended the event, many volunteered and helped out at the event, many stayed home and enjoyed the air displays.
At all times the village was consulted and, although I have had no dealings with the Schekter family, I am aware of the huge lengths they went to to try to help those that would be most affected.
Overton is a warm, friendly, generous community and living here is a pleasure, reading these awful press releases and generalisations about the village & villagers have been very upsetting and infuriating to all. Those responsible for these articles have done both themselves AND Overton a great disservice.
stevemac1970
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10:18pm Sat 1 Sep 12
jmk210884
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11:47am Sun 2 Sep 12
stevemac1970
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12:20pm Sun 2 Sep 12
jmk210884 wrote:1 popham has better connections and being an air field is designed for air shows. 2 I don't live there, it was staying with a friand in a road where cars are damaged regularly by passing traffic. I one house on the road in question, 3 cars were hit while parked in just 18 months. This should act as a good indicator as to the suitability of the local roads for large events. All I'm saying is it a buffalo farm not a show ground. These events belong in show grounds designed to take that level of traffic. If that farm were a show ground, the roads would be bigger and of a much better quality and I wouldn't have a problem with it being there. I love events like this, just not in the middle of an already seriously overstretched collection of B roads. I've lived near Gatwick Airport, RAF Odiham and so don't have an issue with inconvenience and noise, but in an appropriate place.
I see the fun police are out again. Why do people have to complain about things, so carfest is ok as long as its not in your own back yard????? I live near where carfest was and near popham, i love it regular air shows and classic cars. Its one weekend. Do you not think somethings you go to the residents near them might complain and not like it but its ok because its not in your back yard? Is there not more important things to moan about 2012!!!
Overton Gal
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6:20pm Sun 2 Sep 12
stevemac1970
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7:28pm Sun 2 Sep 12
Overton Gal wrote:Well then, let's just shut down the show grounds around the country and hold all the events like this in ill equipped fields on roads not designed for that amount of traffic. Enjoy it next year too, and when someone gets hurt or worse on the already overloaded roads you can rest at ease that it's only one weekend.
It's important to listen to & consider all feedback but I do not agree that the event was placed incorrectly. Overton has had rather an event filled year including the (& far more disruptive to traffic I might add) Overton Sheep Fayre. In the past 12 years I cannot recall the 30 or so households, who have 1000's of people feet from their doors & peeking in thier windows, calling the national press. I would certainly encourage the return of something so vibrant & enjoyable....as has been said several times, it was 1 weekend afterall.
jmk210884
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7:44pm Sun 2 Sep 12
Overton Gal
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7:56pm Sun 2 Sep 12
stevemac1970 wrote:As you appear to have slipped into a ludicrous train of thought its probably best not to continue.
Overton Gal wrote:Well then, let's just shut down the show grounds around the country and hold all the events like this in ill equipped fields on roads not designed for that amount of traffic. Enjoy it next year too, and when someone gets hurt or worse on the already overloaded roads you can rest at ease that it's only one weekend.
It's important to listen to & consider all feedback but I do not agree that the event was placed incorrectly. Overton has had rather an event filled year including the (& far more disruptive to traffic I might add) Overton Sheep Fayre. In the past 12 years I cannot recall the 30 or so households, who have 1000's of people feet from their doors & peeking in thier windows, calling the national press. I would certainly encourage the return of something so vibrant & enjoyable....as has been said several times, it was 1 weekend afterall.
Thank you for your views, as I said, it's important to listen and consider all feedback.
stevemac1970
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8:08pm Sun 2 Sep 12
jmk210884 wrote:Oh dear, someone doesn't arm themself with all the facts. Have a read of all the comments and then conciser why the last statement was just slightly ill thought through. So again, I don't know who is right or wrong, but when I visited the village during carfest, I thought it was causing more disruption than it would have at a proper show ground. I am not asking you to agree or disagree, just respect the fact that not everyone agrees with either of us, is that such a bad thing for grown ups to do. Enjoy, but don't destroy the great atmosphere of your village.
Maybe you should do Overton a favour and move!! Much worst things happening in the world than a carfest and few scratched cars. Maybe you should put more effort into world peace.....
AndyK100
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10:23pm Sun 2 Sep 12
Do us all a fovour and don't visit Overton when you know that an event that has been widely publisiced is taking place.
So to sum up, you don't live here, you were not part of the consultation or the meetings but are complaining about the location.
stevemac1970
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10:45pm Sun 2 Sep 12
AndyK100 wrote:So to sum up, farms are just show grounds in disguise and single track B roads are designed to take such high volumes of traffic? The answer is no. I'm saying that it had more potential to raise more money and cause less disruption in a proper show ground, I don't get what the issue is with causing less disruption and making it more accessible.... Rather than being offensive, why not explain why you feel it would be no better served being in a show ground with better access, more suitable and larger areas and as a result a chance to raise more funds.... Why if it's about raising money for charity is it so wrong to do it bigger and better and cause less disruption?
It was a great event enjoyed by thousands of people,and lots from the local area.
Do us all a fovour and don't visit Overton when you know that an event that has been widely publisiced is taking place.
So to sum up, you don't live here, you were not part of the consultation or the meetings but are complaining about the location.
Cynical Reader
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10:53pm Sun 2 Sep 12
It was your choice to visit or to live in Overton.
If you don't like a bit of fun for charity,
you know what to do.
No-one will miss you.
stevemac1970
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11:38pm Sun 2 Sep 12
Cynical Reader wrote:Nobody is saying what you're accusing them of so please please please, read and accept that just because they don't want it in that field, it doesn't mean they don't want it at all. You found it great and that's good, but that doesn't mean everyone has to agree. I love shows like this, especially when they raise funds for charity, but as a former fund raiser for charity, I believe there was an opportunity missed to make it bigger and better by having a more appropriate place to hold it. I don't want you to agree, life would be so boring if we all think the same but don't accuse me of not wanting it because that's wrong, I just think the location was wrong. The event was right, I am sick of having to write that for the sake of those who fail to take notice of it, but the place in my view was wrong. Having said that, I'm glad you enjoyed it, I'm no kill joy. If you don't agree with me that's fine, but I will continue to visit my friends in the village and you can continue to have your carfest... So why do I have to feel its in the right place just because you do? As for no one will miss me, with the greatest respect, I'll let my friend decide that after all, I don't go to Overton to visit you. I prefer to visit people who may not agree with me but who's opinion I respect and they respect mine, something I did hope you could do also, After all, I respect your thoughts, apart from the offensive stuff about Overton being a closed shop if we don't share your view.
To all those protestors.
It was your choice to visit or to live in Overton.
If you don't like a bit of fun for charity,
you know what to do.
No-one will miss you.
Sam_Walker 123456
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9:08am Mon 3 Sep 12
Hector2004
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9:12am Mon 3 Sep 12
Joe_Dolce
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10:04am Mon 3 Sep 12
(Some even less so!!!)
jbee37
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1:24pm Mon 3 Sep 12
stevemac1970
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1:51pm Mon 3 Sep 12
jbee37 wrote:Or why not at the not so far away Top Gear track at Dunsfold airodrome, now that would have made an amazing spectical and there would have been so many other things for the car enthusiast to do. Although the roads there aren't great either.
Why didn't Chris Evans hold the event in the grounds of his Sussex pile and ask Jody to transport his museum pieces there?
Joe_Dolce
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2:44pm Mon 3 Sep 12
Roll on 2013!!
Opinions_opinions
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3:04pm Mon 3 Sep 12
shame
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8:17pm Mon 3 Sep 12
stevemac1970
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8:34pm Mon 3 Sep 12
shame wrote:I'm sure you feel much better now.... Well done shame, I'm sure you feel very important now you made that rather self important remark. We on here are all very proud of you.
people people don't you realize people who complain about things like this are the absolute most important and worthy people on the planet and we must all bow down and grovel to ask permission to breathe the same air
Opinions_opinions. I enjoyed reading your last post, I was pleased to see a very well balanced opinion that came across as something that not everyone will agree with but was still fair and not offensive.
RgPostcode
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9:02pm Mon 3 Sep 12
Sorry, your little rich life's were affected.
stevemac1970
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9:44pm Mon 3 Sep 12
RgPostcode wrote:I think you're talking about the wrong village, there are a high number of local authority houses in Overton and a high number of people in serious financial issues. Why not get to know the place and the people before you judge.
You can moan, only if you spend a week on a council estate.
Sorry, your little rich life's were affected.
shame
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7:00am Tue 4 Sep 12
stevemac1970 wrote:well yes sorry but we are all entitled to our opinions which as a resident I will air in full in september ...... i would recommend that anybody else that has commented against this protest to come to the enquiry on Saturday 22nd September from 9.00am - 2.00pm. i will post Further details when the Overton News and Veiws hits my door mat
shame wrote:I'm sure you feel much better now.... Well done shame, I'm sure you feel very important now you made that rather self important remark. We on here are all very proud of you.
people people don't you realize people who complain about things like this are the absolute most important and worthy people on the planet and we must all bow down and grovel to ask permission to breathe the same air
Opinions_opinions. I enjoyed reading your last post, I was pleased to see a very well balanced opinion that came across as something that not everyone will agree with but was still fair and not offensive.
Hector2004
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9:02am Tue 4 Sep 12
Opinions_opinions did indeed summarise in a very balanced and unbiased way.
Shame:- please keep us updated regarding the public meeting.
stevemac1970
says...
9:27am Tue 4 Sep 12
Cynical Reader
says...
10:43am Tue 4 Sep 12
Meanwhile the better-off winge and write to the Daily Mail.
jbee37
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2:59pm Tue 4 Sep 12
Hector2004
says...
8:50am Wed 5 Sep 12
Pyramid of Greatness
says...
10:54am Wed 5 Sep 12
Hector2004 wrote:I think this was a perfectly reasonable question, nothing 'Nasty and Vindictive' about it. I would actually have to question your understanding of those words given the context and similarly question your knowledge of the strict conditions under which organic/biodynamic farms operate. Additionally your last sentence only serves to show your complete inability to conduct a reasoned debate. I look forward to the public forum and standing against the anti-carfest lobby which seems to consist of 5-10 people making a disproportionate amount of noise.
@jbee37 : Unless the campers bought nitrates, phosphates, pesticide or herbicide with them to treat their 'patch' I think your accusation / suggestion would be viewed as tenuous. The rest of us (right thinking people) view your kind as nasty and vindictive. It’s unfortunate that there isn’t any place you could move to where you would ‘fit in’ !
stevemac1970
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11:17am Wed 5 Sep 12
Pyramid of Greatness wrote:I hope you don't include me in the anti carfest lobby. It's important to distinquish between those not in favour of an event and those with concerns about the location of such an event. It's important for these events to be on the calendar for years to come, I may feel its in the wrong place but I also accept that I'm just one view among many. As for the disproportionate amount of noise, it is for the individual to make the noise, if the silent majority wish to stay silent, that's for them to decide, we shouldn't criticise people for saying what they believe just because others don't want to speak out for their cause. I think it might be fair to say that people are over critical on here on both sides.
Hector2004 wrote:I think this was a perfectly reasonable question, nothing 'Nasty and Vindictive' about it. I would actually have to question your understanding of those words given the context and similarly question your knowledge of the strict conditions under which organic/biodynamic farms operate. Additionally your last sentence only serves to show your complete inability to conduct a reasoned debate. I look forward to the public forum and standing against the anti-carfest lobby which seems to consist of 5-10 people making a disproportionate amount of noise.
@jbee37 : Unless the campers bought nitrates, phosphates, pesticide or herbicide with them to treat their 'patch' I think your accusation / suggestion would be viewed as tenuous. The rest of us (right thinking people) view your kind as nasty and vindictive. It’s unfortunate that there isn’t any place you could move to where you would ‘fit in’ !
jbee37
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11:25am Wed 5 Sep 12
Hector2004
says...
11:35am Wed 5 Sep 12
Whilst we’re at it, let’s strike the last sentence too, so that I can engage in debate to your specification.
Allthingslocal
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11:36am Wed 5 Sep 12
Most people don't mind a small amount of disruption, and let's be honest, it was a small amount, if any. To descibe the place as a 'nightmare' because of (minimal) diversions is an overreaction to say the least. Had those diversions not been in place, then the area would have indeed become that 'nightmare'.
The bands were finished at a reasonable time (earlier than local pubs kick out) and I struggled to hear the rest of the music as I walked up to the car park to leave. This was a family orientated Middle Class event with kids camping, not an all night rave.
Most people were happy see the cars out and about and were enjoying taking photos of them and were also happy to go along to this extremely well organised event and join in. Lets be clear, it is not Overton villagers complaining at all. It's a shame that so much attention is being paid by the press to the handfull of complainers rather than the masses of Overton and surrounding area supporter.
The location of this was absolutely perfect and the infastructure perfectly adequate, I don;t know why there is any suggestion that it's not given the lack of cars queueing and the well signposted routes in. I appreciate that maybe the owners of the 5 or thereabouts houses that back onto the site may not agree but come, on lighten up and join in the fun. No one was hurt, there were no crimes committed and you all survived. How about next year you lock up and go away for the weekend if it was really that bad. Or better still, get some tickets, your camera and a picnic blanket and go and appreciate all the hard work that went into making Carfest such a success.
Hector2004
says...
11:55am Wed 5 Sep 12
@stevemac1970: 100% agree.
stevemac1970 says...
2:34pm Sat 1 Sep 12