Fencing at regatta left me feeling so alienated (From Bucks Free Press)

Fencing at regatta left me feeling so alienated

1:01pm Friday 22nd June 2012 in Your Letters

I WAS very disappointed with this year’s Marlow Town Regatta.

We had a picnic pitch in 2010 for my son’s 21st birthday and can say what a marvellous day we all had. The area where the picnic pitches were, was large and accessible and it was nice that friends could come and visit, say hello and then carry on with their day. We did buy enclosure tickets for those who wanted to go inside but not everyone did.

Families and groups of friends could have their informal picnics outside Court Garden and the atmosphere was great, we had access to the fair when we wanted and I loved looking round the craft tents. Everyone was taking part in the regatta in their own way.

I had heard that this year was different but still went to the fair with my family on Saturday afternoon, and took a stroll to see what was happening further on. I was very disappointed. As I walked from the river up to Court Garden, you could see all the picnic pitches over the hedge but when you got further up all the high metal fencing made it really unattractive and as if the occupants were caged in.

I felt very alienated. We continued on hoping to find the craft tents, food and charity stalls etc, but again it was fenced all the way round.

It really made me angry that I was being forced out of the celebrations as there was no where else for the people of Marlow to join in this special time, only the select few who paid.

This surely is not how a ‘town regatta’ should be as most of the town were not able to take part. For this reason I didn’t attend the dragon boating and events on the Sunday.

I hope that my feedback helps to change the format of this event, back to an event that the whole of Marlow can enjoy.

Sarah Cassells, Dedmere Court, Marlow

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