GLADE RAGS

Glade is the latest in a string of festivals to be forced to cancel its frivolities because of police pressure to increase security and stewarding. Big Green Gathering (see SchNEWS 685), Strawberry Fair (see SchNEWS 715) and now Glade have all succumbed to the underhand tactics of police who refuse to negotiate in advance but push for licence reviews that would not come to a decision until days before the festival is supposed to start.

All three festivals have reported huge support from local councils despite the police’s demands. The bottom line now seems to be if you try to keep your festie free of corporate sponsorship and refuse to pay disproportionate sums of money for extra policing, it doesn’t happen.

* See www.gladefestival.com