I understand that the Horniman have taken comments from (many) upset locals on board, and are looking into the situation and whether this site is indeed appropriate for a venue of this scale, if indeed it is increasing in popularity or this year was a fluke with almost twice the numbers attending. They have confirmed that everyone was taken by surprise by the turnout. I am sure the Cook Out organisers themselves would not want to see potential hindrances and aggravation caused to their punters by lack of parking and traffic jams as these help no one. There have already been complaints by attendees that the music was not loud enough this year so it is likely that a larger venue would be required in any case given that the Gardens are within a residential area and the Horniman is fairly constrained on that front.

The issue is therefore one of sustainability. Forest Hill cannot expand like the Tardis to accommodate a sudden rush of 20000 people in one afternoon and it is unfair to ask the locals to roll over and concede for this event and indeed any events of a similar scale. If the venue could be moved to a more suitable south London venue and somehow the Horniman could still maintain its links culturally then surely that will be a win-win situation for all concerned. And no I cant see how tinkering with marshals and promoting public transport would help as FH still isn't that well served by buses and trains and is hindered by its geography.

Michael, when you mention buses from Savacentre I do think that you forget that people still need to shop there and Sundays are favourite days for doing the weekly shop. Where are the shoppers going to park, and is Savacentre not going to mind if the car parks are full but not with shoppers? I did hear that the local Sainsburys in FH was also chocca with people not being able to park to shop but then its a Council car park so different but related issues apply. I can't comment on that as I wasn't there. Like the Sainsburys next to Selhurst Park, they would probably have to shut and lose trade during this event. So how would that help the economy and wellbeing of FH?

The Blackheath Fireworks event is a bit different; its been going for years and is mostly a family event. It is also a larger 'venue' with easy access to Blackheath, Lewisham and Greenwich, all of which are walkable from the event. Unlike the Cook Out, annual firework displays tend to be attended mainly by local people and no one venue provides anything more unique than any other so its probably not going to have to deal with huge crowds moving in from all parts of London.
The shops and restaurants in Blackheath do a roaring trade that evening as you would expect. In respect of the Cook Out I doubt given that all catering and entertainment requirements are met within the Gardens there is little need for anyone to step outside for a beer or a burger hence I still do not see any economic benefits to FH, only detriment.