GALA 2025

[cxh692]

Consultation findings report attached. 

GALA Series 2025 consultation findings report.pdf APPENDIX 2 - updated event site map.pdf

[fishboy]

So following the box ticking and predictable ignoring of the 'consultation' and 'stakeholder meetings' the foregone conclusion has been reached, and the journey towards a two weekend festival, with ever increasing numbers and expanding boundaries, begins...

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Re: GALA Music Festival – event application ref: SWKEVE000820 - NOTICE OF DECISION regarding event consultation

We write to inform you that the event application submitted by Assembled GALA Ltd to hold GALA Music Festival and On the Rye Festival in Peckham Rye Park on the 23 - 26 May 2025 has been approved.

The consultation findings report is provided again for reference (please see attached).

The issuing of the events licence is subject to the following: 

That the event operator delivers the event in line with Southwark’s Outdoor Events Policy
That the event operator delivers the event in line with the conditions listed in the Event Licence Agreement
That the event operator delivers the event in line with the conditions attached to the Premises Licence
That the event operator obtains any other permission or licence required in relation to holding the event
That the event operator delivers the event in line with the Event Safety Management Plan, of which all elements must be approved by the relevant members of Southwark’s Safety Advisory Group

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Best wishes,

Charlie Simm

On behalf of Southwark’s Events team

[first mate]

Well, what a huge surprise!

So, while the council digs up local footpaths to plant trees and 'green' the roads, it simultaneously offers up our parkland to private hire for a further extended period of annual damage. 

It is hard to see from the map, but it looks as though the footpath that was formerly available to walk along the length of the event site of old will now also be partially used up by the new footprint, it looks like it will be partly roped off?

I love how the final council report advise that 'while locals will be unable to use this nicer part of the park for a month ( and actually much of summer as it all gets churned up and has to be reseeded) that this is fine as they can just use the Common instead. 
 
It feels wrong that the nicer part of the park is given over for festival use. I do not buy that, as has been stated, the Common is just not big enough for the Gala event.

Edited April 16 by first mate

[Penguin68]

I think it is less easy/ more expensive to fence off the Common, as opposed to the nicer parts, which is why our nicer parts are hawked off to Gala. Why should we have access to nicer parts of our park in summer when we might most like to have access if it can be monetised. It's ironic really that this council is so Trumpy. 

[first mate]

I think one of the organiser's marketing lines for the event describes the festival as 'nestled' in the park- clearly having the trees and park as a backdrop is viewed as a major selling point.

[fishboy]

18 hours ago, Penguin68 said:

I think it is less easy/ more expensive to fence off the Common

I would have thought the cost of erecting X meters of metal barriers would be the same irrespective of location, plus given the issues with access now due to the "bunds", it would also be easier given the ample direct access the common provides?

The reason I've heard from the organisers is that their footprint has been tailor made for that part of the park, so it's not possible to fit it anywhere else. Which is a ridiculous argument given that  they've already altered / extended it due to the space they've 'lost' from the "bunds".

The reason I've heard from FOPR and others is that as the common is public land (or similar) it requires permission from the Home Secretary (or similar) due to ancient grazing rights or something. Oddly it doesn't seem to have affected the circus, the steam fair, the dog show etc etc etc

20 hours ago, first mate said:

It is hard to see from the map, but it looks as though the footpath that was formerly available to walk along the length of the event site of old will now also be partially used up by the new footprint, it looks like it will be partly roped off? 

Yes, the wide path where Parkrun starts & finishes will become a controlled crossing during the build, and completely closed off during the festival.

Also, when I asked about the reason for the extended footprint onto the sports pitch, they said it was to replace lost space where the bunds are, which they used to store equipment. However, they were unable to explain where this storage area now was on the new plan...

And when asked about the loss of the sports pitch due to the extension & access road, they said the council had assured them there were no matches booked for that period. But what about the kids, families, who play on them? No answer...

[Spartacus]

This will be interesting to watch 

https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/brockwell-park-mighty-hoopla-field-day-legal-challenge-b1223476.html

Locals are launching a legal challenge against events in Brockwell Park on grounds of ecological damage. 

Two questions arise if they win 

1. Will events scheduled there look for alternative venues, maybe Peckham Rye 

2. Will a win for the locals set a president for other parks 

[first mate]

More power to them. I very much hope they win and it would be fantastic if a precedent is set to stop exploitation of park land by councils. I would also like to see Gala moved to the Common- revellers would be closer to transport hubs and since part of the common used to be a large tarmac area, it just feels a much more suitable site, leaving the actual park free for use by locals and visitors to enjoy nature, wildlife and the scenery.

Edited April 23 by first mate

[first mate]

Trying to make the most of Peckham Rye Park before the 'fun' begins and we get shut out by the metal fencing, the noise and building work.

[HeadNun]

It's started. And seeing it just now made me feel genuinely a bit flat and sad. 

[first mate]

I know. Now the weather has been better for a few days, that whole area has been well used by people sitting out in the grass and just enjoying the peace and views- mainly young people too! Now all that will be lost for the rest of the summer as the grass does not recover until autumn.

[fishboy]

And already two huge HGVs have made their way up Colyton Rd, despite assurances at the meetings that they would be routed from the top. Love it how they make these statements to placate the locals, then just do whatever they want because there's no one from the council watching. Or caring.

[malumbu]

13 minutes ago, fishboy said:

And already two huge HGVs have made their way up Colyton Rd, despite assurances at the meetings that they would be routed from the top. Love it how they make these statements to placate the locals, then just do whatever they want because there's no one from the council watching. Or caring.

Make a note of the vehicle details, complain to the company and then complain to the council copying your councillor in.

[fishboy]

I've sent an email to the council about it & other related issues, but I won't hold my breath. There's no representation from the council on site, so Gala can & will do whatever they want. Highly unlikely they'll ever be punished / fined because they've got the council under their thumb, and the council are so starved of funds they'd never risk biting the hand that feeds them. 

Also worth noting that in the consultation findings report there's a statement in the section "If the event goes ahead" -

"At least 28 days prior to event taking place / Resident information letter posted to properties around the park (giving confirmed event information and resident ‘hotline’ number)"

Anyone received one of these yet? No? So are Gala in breach of the council's Outdoor Events Policy? Probably. Will there be any consequence? Nah.

Lastly, image attached of the cherry tree in the SW corner of the site, with white lines sprayed on the grass presumably indicating the position of the (very high) metal wall. Looks like the branch might get in the way, however will they resolve that....?

 

Edited May 13 by fishboy
Autocorrect typo

[first mate]

Those branches are going to get chopped...again.

All of this shows the central paradox at the heart of Southwark's greening the streets policy. What is the good of planting trees in tarmac if you are simultaneously wrecking large sections of the park and stopping locals using the park? It just does not make sense.

Cllr Catherine Rose should be made to answer for Gala conduct, if they are already flouting the terms of their agreement.

Edited May 13 by first mate

[fishboy]

Just to clarify, this isn't the same cherry as last year, it's in the corner by the path that runs down to the crossroads of FHR / Colyton / Dunstans. It hasn't been an issue previously because the perimeter wasn't as large...

I'm sure it must have been noticed & flagged during the various planning meetings, walkabouts etc and there is an ecological resolution planned that will avoid any damage to the tree. After all, Gala pride themselves on their environmental stance, being "nestled in the park" and everything... 🤦

Edited May 13 by fishboy
Added detail

[Angelina]

have you tried contacting the park ranger?

very disappointed in the councillors - but sadly not at all surprised

[first mate]

Walking in the park today I was struck by how much bigger the footprint of the event looks and how that will impact the park. I guess it is only when you see it all being cordoned off that you realise. It feels like all the playing fields will be impacted to some extent.

There is another area  being cordoned off at the other end of the park, close to Harris Girls. Does anyone know if this is temporary and to do with the event delivery juggernauts (so green, so environmentally friendly) or something unrelated?

[JohnL]

Road works to relay gas mains on Rye Lane are supposed to go on all summer along with noise - I hope they don't remove them for the outsiders to celebrate in what they consider an edgy part of town.

 

 

 

 

[alice]

On 13/05/2025 at 15:58, first mate said:

Walking in the park today I was struck by how much bigger the footprint of the event looks and how that will impact the park. I guess it is only when you see it all being cordoned off that you realise. It feels like all the playing fields will be impacted to some extent.

There is another area  being cordoned off at the other end of the park, close to Harris Girls. Does anyone know if this is temporary and to do with the event delivery juggernauts (so green, so environmentally friendly) or something unrelated?

That chosen route for heavy traffic is the longest possible distance and most disruptive route. 

[Kathleen Olander]

Did Southwark Council ever get the £140,000 owed to them from the Pub in the Park Festival after they went into administration in 2023?

[first mate]

13 hours ago, alice said:

That chosen route for heavy traffic is the longest possible distance and most disruptive route. 

They will have some rationale for this, but it feels like a deliberate testing of the waters, to see how much of the park they can take, with the trackway right across the length of the whole playing fields and the new and exceedingly ugly, extended footprint.

My guess is soon we will see further encroachments and extensions and even more events, from other organisations. Peckham Rye is on course to be a giant, summer-long event space, just like Brockwell Park.

I have just checked Southwark Council licensing and it seems the intention is to use the Gala infrastructure to mount events, this may only the extra 'family' day but 6 days are mentioned.

The Licensing Sub-Committee heard from the representative for the Applicant who advised that the purpose of the application was to present a family festival day and two live concert days to take place in Peckham Rye Park in May/June within the existing site operated by We are the Fair/Assembled Gala.  The Applicant would work in collaboration with the Peckham Festival on the events falling on the weekend after GALA. GALA normally is held on the late May Bank Holiday Weekend.

Edited May 15 by first mate

[fishboy]

The Parkrun organisers have had to make the decision to cancel their events this week & next week, and probably the week after.

"Having inspected the start/finish area now that the Gala festival build is underway, we have concluded that it will be impossible for the event to go ahead safely."

So another assurance / promise broken by the organisers, who were adamant that the extended area wouldn't affect the Parkrun.

I'm just hoping this will open a few more eyes to what's going on...

 

[first mate]

I hope the organisers make a big deal about the cancellation of the Park Run. What is the council thinking? This is a private event that is now negatively impacting the wellbeing of residents in multiple ways. The council allege they are heavily invested in improving health and greening the environment.

[Penguin68]

19 minutes ago, first mate said:

The council allege they are heavily invested in improving health and greening the environment.

The proof has always been in the pudding; and as regards Gala and Peckham Rye it has always demonstrated the opposite.  Fool us once, shame on you, fool us twice and thrice - shame on us.