Reader's Letter: 'Furious and embarrassed' Woodham Walter residents speak out against Tide Festival

By Guest author 5th Sep 2023

Readers Letters by Guest author 5th Sep 2023

Tide Festival offered entertainment, raving, and family fun in Woodham Walter last month, but it was met with concerns over the impact of loud music and potential loss of income for local businesses.

The organisers have celebrated the success of the event, which took place in Woodham Walter over the August Bank Holiday Weekend. However, residents Diane and Tim Lodge say they will not welcome Tide Festival back to their village in future:

As a local resident of Woodham Walter, it was a complete surprise and shock to be told that a festival was coming to our beautiful and quiet village.

As residents we were never informed prior of any applications made for an outside event

The Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation is a haven for wildlife and nature and we were appalled that permission had apparently been given for a 'mini rave' right on the banks of the river.

We have luxury Airbnb accommodation at Hoe Mill Lock on the river and were furious and embarrassed to have to advise guests that, after booking for a peaceful four-night stay, they will now be subjected to three days of late night festival music!

The camp site at Hoe mill lock also vacated due to noise losing income for the waterway.

I have not spoken to anybody in support of the festival. I can assure organisers that if the village had been asked what they thought of a festival coming to Woodham Walter, 100 per cent it would never have been granted.

Leaving it until the last minute to announce the location was very unsettling and made it sound underhanded.

The site was left with rubbish and discarded tents - simply disgusting.

The damage caused to one local resident's property just added to the list of negatives.

I think in summary, as a village, we were all caught by surprise that something so out of place could take place to us all with no consultation.

This is not something that Woodham Walter welcomes and we will certainly not be welcoming the festival, rave, networking event or whatever it is tried to be called back to our village.

Regards

Diane and Tim Lodge