I dont think I was the only one who didnt like the event in 2009.

There were many complaints including an acknowledgement by the police and the Horniman CEO that the whole thing got out of hand and caused traffic tailbacks and chaos that presented a risk to the emergency services getting through the area. If you want to check that, ask for the police report on the event. It may have been a one off however there were plenty of signs the previous year of increasing popularity and also the extent of radio and media promotion before the 2009 event should have indicated that this was going to have high attendance. So I dont think its true that the Horniman was caught on the hop- there were plenty of clues and they just failed to manage it.

Do you think its hysterical, RevLB, to be concerned when people take a leak in your front garden, dump their trash over your wall on the way home, or swear at you when you refuse to let them park in or across your drive? I was pregnant at that time and trying to rest at home having been told I had a high risk pregnancy with a potentially adverse outcome, and to have people knocking constantly at my door and some swearing abuse at me wasnt wonderful. But clearly RevLB, you think its acceptable and you think its outrageous that someone could complain about it. And for your information I actually attended the event in the previous two years and had a great time. And met Levi Roots and bought a signed copy of his book. So get your facts straight.

BTW, I'm not a member of the NCT and havent been for years so not sure what point you are trying to make there. Perhaps you ought to leave your misogyny at home.

But I do have sympathy for the Horniman trying to raise money but think its odd that they chose a recession in which to carry out major works which seem to have exacerbated this need for funding support. And I dont think they should be able to do this without a considered impact assessment on the local area which is a reasonable requirement of any business venture. They need to work in partnership with the local community to establish a reasonable level of activity. But I expect they know that already.

There are already rules about drinking in parks public spaces and I believe that the Horniman still qualifies as such so I would imagine they are not talking about a free for all booze up in the gardens.

As long as sense goes into the pot, I'm sure sense will come out the other end.