Row over use of gypsy stop-over site for Barnard Castle bonfire celebrations

BARNARD Castle’s bonfire night display has had to be moved at the 11th hour – amid claims there has been no time to consult with a traveller forum who use the site for two weeks of the year.
The organisers, Barnard Castle Meet, had planned to use the traveller stop-over point at Shaw Bank for their annual bonfire night celebration on Friday, November 4.
But they had to change the venue last week after problems with their application.
Their plans were submitted to Durham County Council’s safety advisory group (SAG) in July.
However, event organiser Thom Robinson says a series of complications had made it impossible to host the event there. He said it was only after getting in touch with the county council’s assets team in September did problems begin to emerge.
Mr Robinson said the team had not been informed about the application made months ago. He claims that after initially denying ownership of the land, county officers then said the land could not be used because there was no time to consult with the Teesdale Residents and Travellers’ forum, which uses the land for two weeks during the annual gypsy migration to Appleby Fair in May.
Teesdale Action Partnership paid for hard-standing to be put down on the site this year after the area turned into a quagmire during heavy rain in 2015.
Mr Robinson said: “I went to County Hall and they refused to come down and speak to me. I had to talk to them over the phone in the reception. She said unequivocally we can’t use the land because they don’t have time to consult with the travellers’ forum. People in Teesdale were taxed £16,000 to upgrade that site, and now they are saying the people of Teesdale can’t use it.”
However, Durham County Council says the Meet committee can use the site.
The council’s head of assets, Stuart Timmiss, said: “We received an application to hold a firework display on land we own at Barnard Castle.
“We are currently in discussions with the applicants and are happy for the display to go ahead subject to them providing information on a number of issues. As with any other event of this nature, we have to be satisfied that the safety of the public and the condition of the site are not compromised before giving approval.”
Mr Robinson says the conditions include the Meet committee having to commission a geotechnical survey of the land to ensure it can accommodate fairground rides that make up part of the bonfire night celebration.
They also have to have proof of insurance, which Mr Robinson said the committee was not prepared to pay for without concrete confirmation that they will be allowed to use the site.
He added: “They have basically made it completely untenable for us to use the site. The whole thing is a load of baloney and they have worked their socks off to keep us off the site.”
The event has now been moved to Streatlam Farm, which has more provision for parking.
Transport will also be put on from Barnard Castle to take people to the celebration.
But not everyone is happy.
One parent who has supported the fireworks since it was started four years ago said: “My four-year-old and nine-year-old daughters will be absolutely devastated because we will struggle to go up to Streatlam Farm because of the timescale of going there and back.
“They have been looking forward to this since the fireworks last year.
“It is sad the county council has put a barrier in the way to prevent this space being used for the people of Barnard Castle.”