by Trevor Bevins, Local Democracy Reporter.
Two Dorset festivals will be making their case for having a drinks licence in the coming days.
The seperate organisers of the Skyglow Festival, planned for the Dorchester Showground and Don’t Panic Festival at Stalbridge Recreation Ground, are both expected to appear before a licensing panel of Dorset councillors in County Hall on Tuesday May 5th.
Both applications have received formal public concerns about their plans which has led to the hearings.
In both cases the panel will be asking to hear how the organisers of the events plan to meet licensing objectives which include the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety and the protection of children.
The Dorchester event, to be held on July 3rd to the 5th, plans to have live music up until 9.45pm and wants to be able to sell alcohol on the site between 4 and 9.30pm on the Friday, noon to 9.30pm on Saturday and noon to 7.30pm on the Sunday. In addition to music and other entertainment the event is also advertising hot air balloons, subject to weather conditions.
The county’s Safety Advisory Group, made up of public organisations including emergency services, say they need more details before being convinced that the licensing conditions can be met by organisers, Nationwide Festivals.
Similar questions are being asked of the Stalbridge event, from May 23rd to 25th, being organised by Guggleton Farm Arts, a community interest company. It is only asking for a Premises Licence to be able to sell alcohol at the Recreation Ground for a limited period on the 25th.
The whole event is a tribute to Douglas Adams, creator of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, with weekend event including a Vogon Poetry Jam and an open-air showing of the film. Adams lived with his mother at the Grove Lane property, writing a large portion of “A Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” while there, the opening scenes featuring the Vogon’s, inspired by the demolition of a local glove factory.
On the 25th a parade will lead to the unveiling of a Blue Plaque to the author at Lydden Cottage before a celebratory event on the nearby Recreation Ground featuring music, performances, food and drink.
The application asks for the sale of alcohol only between noon and 6pm at the Ground.
Similar reservations to the Dorchester event have also been made by the Safety Group over the Stalbridge application – essentially asking for more details and the addition of extra first aid cover. The organisers, in their latest correspondence with Dorset Council’s licensing team and the Safety Group, say all the matters raised are being dealt with.
