Council to get tough on village green use (From Tewkesbury Admag)

Council to get tough on village green use

BOURTON Parish Council is to get tough on organisations using the village green in a bid to protect the grass from damage.

The council agreed at its meeting last week that it would make sure that event organisers receive a fresh set of rules and conditions on what was permitted.

The move follows concern that some organisations have been breaching the rules by putting up marquees.

There was particular mention of the marquee erected at the popular pre-Christmas late-night shopping Victorian evening, which is organised by the Chamber of Commerce.

"I don't think it is bloody mindedness on their part. It's done by a committee and someone will get permission and be totally unaware someone else has a marquee," said parish council clerk John Nicholson.

"What's happened is we have had to turn a blind eye and we have tended to go along with last minute requests," he added.

However, the council now intends to be stricter about enforcing its rules.

"It sounds petty but when you see what happens to the grass where the marquee is you can see the damage and that can take all summer to recover," said Mr Nicholson.

Other events taking place on the green include fundraising duck races organised by the football club and panto group.

"We try where we can to assist charities but they must recognise they are using it once a year while the parish council has to maintain it in perpetuity as an asset for the village," said Mr Nicholson.