Marchwood village fete cancelled after travellers leave faeces, rubble and sharp objects on Lloyds recreation ground

FAECES, building rubble and sharp objects left on a recreation ground in Marchwood has forced organisers to call off tomorrow’s village fete.

As reported in the A&T, the event at Lloyds recreation ground on Main Road was uncertain after a convoy of six caravans set up an illegal encampment on Sunday.

Despite the group leaving yesterday (Thursday), organisers say the mess left behind compromises the safety of those attending the fete.

A post on the Marchwood Fete Facebook page said: “The steering group has agreed that the fete must be cancelled on the grounds of health and safety due to the travellers who occupied Lloyds rec this past week and treated it as a toilet and dumping ground.

“We have inspected the site and found human and animal waste, general building waste [and] sharp objects.

“We cannot guarantee the safety of adults and especially children from physical injury and any number of diseases such as hepatitis.”

The statement added: “We have not taken this decision lightly and it is a massive disappointment to all involved, but public health and safety must be our priority.

“The time-scale to make the site safe was just too narrow.”

Tina Dudley, clerk to Marchwood Parish Council, which owns the land, told the A&T the news was “terribly disappointing”.

She added the site had now been secured and the parish council would be installing additional security measures.

The cost of the clean-up would be paid for by the council, she added.

The fete has been rescheduled to take place on 23rd September.