COUNCIL 'KILLJOYS'
BANBRIDGE District Council has been accused of being 'killjoys' over its decision to call time on plans to provide full bar facilities at the main concert at this year's Buskfest.
Several councillors were unhappy with the council providing a bar at the forthcoming music event and a counter-proposal to withdraw the facility was raised by Councillor Wilfred McFadden, seconded by Councillor Junior McCrum, and carried by nine votes to four.
Mr McFadden said he was disappointed to learn there had been a limited bar at last year's event and he was totally against the recommendation by the leisure and development committee to extend the facility this year in the hope of generating more income.
"It's a complete farce," said one angry caller to the Leader.
"There was a bar at last year's event which I enjoyed with several friends. It was a great night, there was no trouble - in fact I thought the bar facilities on the night were poor and there were long queues.
"I was actually hoping the council would have improved on this. The council are missing out on a real money making scheme here too.
"I'll certainly not be going this year, however, if killjoys are at work."
The decision to ban alcohol at the event was met with a mixed reaction from councillors at the meeting.
Proposing the ban, Councillor McFadden said, "The situation is laughable - I could be prosecuted for having a beer in my hand at any other time apart from this one day during Buskfest."
Councillor Seamus Doyle, speaking against the ban, said, "It is hypocrisy to deny alcohol at the Buskfest event when drink is available in the Civic Building. You might as well call off the event if you are going to impose one particular view on everyone else. There is nothing wrong with alcohol in moderation."
Councillor Joan Baird first brought the matter to councillors' attention when she said she was very concerned about the issue which she believed encouraged young people to drink.
"I have no objection to young people enjoying themselves through music, but alcohol should not enter into the equation," said Mrs Baird.
Councillor John Hanna said he wasn't advocating the sale of alcohol per se, but he pointed out that social drinkers in other countries seemed to be able to cope with it in a civilised fashion.
Councillor Dessie Ward commented that many people enjoyed the "social value" of a drink and provided the bar and event was "well policed - as it had been on previous occasions" - he could see no problem in providing alcohol at the event.
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Sunday 05 February 2012
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