FAMILIES reclaimed Liberation Day yesterday. With previous years marred by drink-related arrests, organisers and police were delighted with the response to the alcohol-free zones.
They celebrated a mostly incident and litter-free event with a relaxed atmosphere through the day.
Liberation celebrations working party chairman Mike O’Hara was elated.
‘A number have said it was nice not to feel threatened by people walking around with drinks cans. It’s just been good friendly fun,’ he said.
‘What we tried to do was make it into a family day, I think we succeeded in that in the first part up to 6pm.’
He added that by that time last year there had been lots of people staggering around drunk and it was easy to tell things would get out of hand.
‘That hasn’t happened this time. They are all smiling and enjoying themselves and there’s hardly any litter whatsoever, which is absolutely amazing.’
Chief Inspector Ruari Hardy said yesterday evening it had been a busy day with a lot of people in Town.
‘Obviously we’re interested to hear from all parties how they feel the ban went, but from the police’s perspective we feel the public have been 100% behind the initiative and the feedback we’ve had was extremely positive.’
He added people felt the atmosphere in Town was different this year.
‘A big thank you to the licensees, public and all the people involved in supporting it and making the day what appears to be a great success.’
Police had an increased presence in Town throughout the day and night.
Eight men were arrested after 2pm - five for alleged disorderly conduct, two on suspicion of being drunk in public and one for alleged domestic assault.
Last year police made 25 arrests after 5pm.
Speaking after calling last orders, Ship & Crown licensee Mark Pontin said it was probably the best Liberation Day ever.
‘I’ve spoken to all the licensees along the front and they’re happy,’ he said.
‘We fully support the no drinking zones but they should have gone down High Street and Church Square. It’s been more family-orientated. The only reason licensees were upset was there was no consultation with us.’
Deputy O’Hara said the event was beyond all expectations.
‘What’s important is that we’ve had an extremely good response from a lot of people, no negatives at all. A lot of people thought the extreme sports was just absolutely superb and all the rest of the entertainment has been super.’
‘One of the highlights for me was when I was at the roundabout for Flying the Flag. I looked back along the esplanade and have never seen so many people, it was just a sea of heads.’
He believed the crowd equalled that of 2005 for the 60th celebration, with the most people he had ever seen at North Beach.
He wanted to build on this success. ‘We want to create again more community spirit. I think people will want to see the LibJam back, but that’s up to those organising it.’
Article posted on 10th May, 2007 - 12.00am
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