Organisers believed there were twice as many people along the Town seafront for yesterday afternoon’s events and police said there was no sign of trouble. (Picture by Steve Sarre, 0576943)
THOUSANDS flocked to yesterday’s Liberation Day celebrations. Culture and Leisure minister Mike O’Hara said he believed there were more people in Town than last year.
He put that down to the weather and the alcohol-free zones. ‘We thought we were onto a winner when so many people came in to Town for the parade this morning and after that people kept coming,’ he said.
‘The crowds just seem to be getting bigger and bigger, it is really great. Youngsters and old are mixing and there is a great community atmosphere.’
He said the idea of creating alcohol-free zones was to encourage families to go to Town. ‘Some people who came into Town last year thought it was going to be the same as previous ones, but they didn’t realise the alcohol-free zones would work so well.
‘But when people realised they had been a success, they were more inclined to come into Town and I think this has been reflected in the turnout today,’ he said.
Culture and Leisure marketing director Peter Falla, who was dressed in a donkey suit, said the number of people in Town by mid-afternoon was twice as many as last year.
‘There are definitely more than last year,’ he said.
‘It must be to do with the weather and there is a really relaxed atmosphere as a result of the alcohol-free zones.’
Chief Inspector Ruari Hardy said it had been a successful day with no arrests in Town.
‘From a police perspective, we are very happy. Everyone has respected the alcohol-free zones and that has been superb for us.
‘For those who have wanted to drink at licensed premises, they have been able to do so,’ he said.
He said the binge drinking previously associated with Liberation Day might have put people off going into Town.
‘Even last year people may have stayed away because they didn’t think the alcohol-free zones would have been so well enforced,’ he said.
‘The whole of the seafront is full of families.’
He praised pub landlords and licensees for their part in ensuring alcohol was not taken from their premises.
‘We want to thank the public for supporting the alcohol-free zones which have been well respected and we have to extend that thank you to the licensees and landlords for making sure their premises are well managed.’
Article posted on 10th May, 2008 - 9.29am
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