ONCE again Poole council works against, and ends up destroying, community events in our town.

Party in the Park at Ashley Cross was a much-loved annual community event. Most notably run for the people of Poole.

Not run for outside business interests.

And what, then, does Poole council do but hike the park area “usage” fee in one blast from £1,350 to £8,000. An increase of nearly 600 per cent.

Is it any wonder, then, that the organiser Jane Jones speaks of council being “terribly unfair” and having no option but to cancel.

And that is terribly unfair off the Richter Scale when you consider the same council could not be more happy to welcome high profile, big business international polo on Sandbanks Beach.

And that is highly exclusive club polo, the most expensive sport on the planet bar none. Run on Sandbanks beach for the benefit of the polo club world and big business sponsors with VIP and sponsor tickets running at £125.

And to note, while the council cites noise disturbance for the hike in fees at Ashley Cross, there have no less been huge complaints from Sandbanks, every year, of highly disruptive late night party noise and all round disturbance. But the polo on the beach fee is still £4,000 and goes ahead while Party in the Park is hiked to £8,000 and has to be cancelled.

The message from Poole council could not be clearer, could it? Big business exclusive sport most welcome, local community events entirely expendable.

Jeff Williams

Jubilee Road, Parkstone

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