Fireworks Cancelled

The Henley Regatta Fireworks that had only recently been saved have now been cancelled at the last moment. My understanding is that it is to do with the foot path that runs at the bottom of Sham Hill, please correct if I am wrong.

Apparently the people that had worked closely together to save the fireworks either overlooked this potential problem, or did not perceive it as a problem in the first place. It was one I had raised earlier and just assumed someone would have sorted. Now it looks unfortunately not to have been the case. Now footpath closures are contentious anywhere and at any time and I have to say, like many people are against closure for most reasons particularly including the Regatta footpath along the river, also closed for the Henley Festival, which I feel should never be closed. There are many of the same opinion and who still walk this path as their right. I do not know of any legal reason why you can or cannot exercise your rights to access the path, perhaps someone could tell me. I have been told by local people that still walk it that it is the right of anyone to walk at any time, is that right?

I have to be consistent here and although I am in total favour of the fireworks and acknowledge the great effort these people/land owner and organisers have done in recent weeks to save this one last event for locals and the like but I have to stand by my own views and I think that no footpaths should be closed unless for exceptional circumstances. I think I could have lived with this being closed for the display itself, but not either side of that. Of course this would not have been an issue if the powers that be had not withdrawn in the first place, then we could all have enjoyed the fireworks again and from that great family view point on Sham Hill.

*APPARENTLY YOU HAVE TO GIVE AT LEAST SIX WEEKS NOTICE TO THE LOCAL AUTHORITY FOR FOOTPATH CLOSURES.

It does ask the question who missed this particular criteria and who informed them at this stage? I feel that on this occasion that the council could grant an emergency closure so as not to disappointment the many people and still feel this could be done!!

Watch this space.

Read the press release…