Discover Hertford Online Forum

Reply ID 400

I agree, last year it seemed more like an excuse for people to go round spraying foam string, few people were dressed up and it had more of a funfair feel, It was still good fun for many but why call it Medieval night? perhaps a more low key affair involving the museum and local schools would be better?

Reply ID 466

So, what did I think about 2003 Medieval Night. It was Crap with a capital C. Wheres the fireworks, fun fair, and street stalls?????? As a Hertfordian I am very embarassed and dissapointed to represent my COUNTY TOWN. katie

Reply ID 480

Medieval Night 2003 did not take place because it was cancelled. There were no fireworks because they too were cancelled. Despite the Mercury and everyone else stating that it was due to red tape this is not true. They were cancelled on the grounds of safety. The geography of Hertford town centre means that there has to be at all times unencumbered access for emergency vehicles to residential properties and there has to be road closures to allow the stalls and fair to set up and dismantle in what is termed a 'sterile environment' from 3.30pm until 9.30pm. Therefore Fore Street, Salisbury Square and Bull Plain have to be clear of cars all that time and any residential traffic going in and out of this area has to be escorted my stewards, and pedestrians marshalled behind barriers out of the way of cars. Anyone living in Hertford knows that the evening economy is now the dominant feature so that to stage an event on a Friday evening at a time when the world and his dog are coming into town for a drink and expecting to park wherever there is a free space, anywhere but the car parks (when one is closed anyway) - is at best a major planning headache. The question you have to answer is - if you had a heart attack in the middle of Hertford with road closures blocking most of the roads around the town centre would an ambulance get to you in time. One of many problems. You can ask why I know all these things but this might be obvious. As for previous years then the phrases 'lucky' and 'by the grace of God' come to mind. Enter into the equation insurance or lack of, increasing costs and lack of volunteers to stand on a road closure and tell four young men in a car they can't come into town for a drink then you begin to realise how the decision came about. By the way Fun Day, Medieval night and the fireworks always have been free events, heavily subsidised by various bodies and organised by professionals who give their valuable time for free. There is little input finanacially or otherwise by town businesses with a few honourable exceptions. Next year it is hoped to organise Medieval Night on the same lines as Fun Day. Beginning in Castle grounds, moving to the town centre for the turning on of the lights perhaps early December to kick off Christmas. Time to draw a line under Medieval night which to be fair, was never very medieval in the last few years. Roll on the new.

Reply ID 481

There is a perception that Health & Safety and increased insurance premiums are leading to the cancelation of many public events such as Medieval Night. This, plus a lack of money and the unwillingness of people to get involved in organising such events due to the aforementioned hurdles means that it will become increasingly hard to stage such events. Add to that the fact that the promised skate park has run into the sand and one could be forgiven in thinking that someone somwhere doesn't want people to enjoy themselves! Having said that, I entirely agree with the issues raised by John. The changes forced upon the evening were probably a good things as I know I'm not the only one to agree with John about the evening not being very Medieval. I might also suggest that a wholesale review of the event be considered. It may help if the Town Council were more committed to promoting the town by supporting a full-time qualified marketing individual within it's organisation, as was the case until recently.

Reply ID 482

I would like to thank Steve for his support on this issue. The laws of libel prevent me from saying any more about the comments I heard and fielded at Hertfordf Castle grounds last Friday evening. When I walked home at about 8.45pm the town centre was full of kids, by which I mean 12 to 16 year olds, drunk and hanging around in large groups. It was also full of broken bottles and glass fragments. Its a sad refelction of what is happening in all communities but another item in the list of reasons for cancellation that it was felt a little unwise to mix a family event with the mass invasion of under age drunks, intent on their own kind of fun - see posts at head of this board. BTW I am a little disappointed that there has been no response to my request for suggestions for alternative events on next years Fun Day especially as there is a committee meeting tonight.

Reply ID 483

We went. We won't bother again. TOATAL WASTE OF TIME !! [quote] Perhaps the cancellation of the town centre activities for Medieval Night will be a good thing. No rampaging teenagers and no street hawkers! The event is long overdue for review. It was becoming tired, predictable and more than a little commercial. [/quote]

Reply ID 487

We have one very disappointed five year old in our house - there was nothing there for him to do. Perhaps the "rampaging" youths in the town centre were also exiles from the Castle grounds. I take on board all the issues about health and safety but how do other towns manage to stage events? You can't cancel everything. Will we even get a Christmas tree this year?

Reply ID 489

I can sympathise with your 5 yr old. Without going into the rules that govern the Showmans Guild (ie fair rides) the reason that Birch's fair were to be invited into town last Friday rather than Mannings was that they were happy to put in rides specifically aimed at the pre teen market. Most of the problems you now hear about stem from the cancellation last year of Ware's Dickensian Night. This led to the setting up of the District Council's SATS team (Safety Advisory Teams). They are advisors only but you have to get your event proposals agreed by them - especially the road closures. The reason now that the Ware Town Centre Manager is a happy bunny is that events can now be staged in Tudor Square and a few other places. None of which require road closures as they are in a secure area. This is the one thing that Hertford town centre and Hartham Common even more so, is not. As a post script it was not an easy, pleasant or popular decision to throw about three months worth of planning, meetings and redrafts of road closure notices down the pan.

Reply ID 516

As a mum of a 4 year old, I was sorry it was changed this year and we didn't go. I agree that there were too many rides and also agree that the teenage element was rather more noticeable. Could one suggestion be to have a Mannings (or similar) fun fair on the Common and have the town for the charity stalls and rides for children. It is nice to have a theme but Medieval Night doesn't really seem to suit - perhaps just a Town Fair or something would do.

Reply ID 519

The medieval theme worked very well for the first couple of years. My own daughters school had a successful fund raising evening by selling mulled wine and olde englishe fayre. However, the theme was really no more than a knee jerk reaction to Ware's Dickensian night and deliberately staged one week or two earlier. The problems of having a fair on Hartham are quite involved; one being that the authorities see this as a separate event and the the first question the insurers ask of any event: 'is there water involved'. To which comes the reply. Yes, about two thousand people have to cross the River Lea. Not an insurmountable problem but one reason why the whole event may have to be re-invented. And another reason why this board is useful is that it is ne of the few places where views of the man (or woman) in the street can be aired.

Reply ID 522

And quoted in the MErcusry, too, I notice. I guess you've answered my question about the raft race or similar for the fun day.

Reply ID 524

Yep, skanky - just done so.

Reply ID 527

Sorry, I was referring to the insurance/water obstacle answer above, but yes you have as well, thanks.