Lancashire County Council - please do not destroy the Britannia Coco-Nut Dancers
We, the undersigned, request that Lancashire County Council reconsiders its unreasonable requirement for The Britannia Coco-Nut Dancers to employ a Traffic Management Company for their annual Easter display in the streets of Rossendale. This activity has been carried on unchanged since time immemorial, and is a significant part of our community life and identity. The Bacup Coco-Nut Dancers are a small organisation that do not have the financial or human resources to comply with this requirement, which is a symptom of a risk-averse local authority and is out of proportion to the actual risks and the cultural significance of the event.
LCC does not have a duty of care or a special relationship with this event that makes it liable in case of accident or injury. The Court of Appeal,(Glaister v Appleby-in-Westmorland Town Council)has pointed out that there would be an "impoverishment of our community life" if bodies or individuals who organise annual events of this kind were to be deterred by the imposition of regulations by Local Authorities, which do not have any special duty of care.
The effect of this order will be to destroy a centuries old aspect of our community life and culture, and the job of LCC should be to encourage and protect, not to hinder and destroy.
Updates
February 10, 2014
We hit 250 signatures and the suits at the Council are starting to feel the heat. Lancashire County Council needs to wake up and realize they cannot just legislate our traditions into nonexistence because they are too terrified of a phantom lawsuit.
Reached 250 supporters
February 9, 2014
Reached 100 supporters
February 8, 2014
121 Comments
My great-grandfather was a coco-nutter. THeir music is played on albums by Martin Carthy and Brass Monkey. Their contribution to Lancashires heritage on the WORLD stage is immeasurable. Please do not let their traditional procession be stopped due to health and safety fears.
I filmed the Bacup Coco-Nut dancers for a BBC documentary - so well organised and hardly a raucous event. Similar traditions have died out but Bacup has kept going. Incredibly unique. I hope the LCC sees this.
Where are the figures that back up the council or is it just a perceived risk which encourages the council to take such a risk averse attitude. I would refer them to the blazing barrels in Hatherleigh and Ottery St. Mary, whose councils have a more enlightened attitude both to tradition and tourism.
The Coconutters are the only reason many people have even heard of Bacup, and definitely the only reason they visit the town. Why feature them (eg on information boards) then deny them the day that defines their existence?
If I do not come acroos to Lancashire to see the nutters then yhou will be losing the value of five meals and variopus drinks over the day as well as a guest house booking to your economy.
I am surprised they need looking after. its a very well behaved event. What else would you expect from a bunch of blocks in skirts with blackened faces? These ENGLISH tradition need to be looked after and treasured.
I have already written separately to lancs cc and await a response
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Lancashire County Council - please do not destroy the Britannia Coco-Nut Dancers
We, the undersigned, request that Lancashire County Council reconsiders its unreasonable requirement for The Britannia Coco-Nut Dancers to employ a Traffic Management Company for their annual Easter display in the streets of Rossendale. This activity has been carried on unchanged since time immemorial, and is a significant part of our community life and identity. The Bacup Coco-Nut Dancers are a small organisation that do not have the financial or human resources to comply with this requirement, which is a symptom of a risk-averse local authority and is out of proportion to the actual risks and the cultural significance of the event.
LCC does not have a duty of care or a special relationship with this event that makes it liable in case of accident or injury. The Court of Appeal,(Glaister v Appleby-in-Westmorland Town Council)has pointed out that there would be an "impoverishment of our community life" if bodies or individuals who organise annual events of this kind were to be deterred by the imposition of regulations by Local Authorities, which do not have any special duty of care.
The effect of this order will be to destroy a centuries old aspect of our community life and culture, and the job of LCC should be to encourage and protect, not to hinder and destroy.
Updates
February 10, 2014
We hit 250 signatures and the suits at the Council are starting to feel the heat. Lancashire County Council needs to wake up and realize they cannot just legislate our traditions into nonexistence because they are too terrified of a phantom lawsuit.
Reached 250 supporters
February 9, 2014
Reached 100 supporters
February 8, 2014
121 Comments
I have seen the Coconutters dance on several occasions and there has neverbeen any danger to either the dancers, the audience or motorists. This is an unnecessary demand which will serve only to jeopardise a significant cultural and historical event in the area.
My great-grandfather was a coco-nutter. THeir music is played on albums by Martin Carthy and Brass Monkey. Their contribution to Lancashires heritage on the WORLD stage is immeasurable. Please do not let their traditional procession be stopped due to health and safety fears.
I filmed the Bacup Coco-Nut dancers for a BBC documentary - so well organised and hardly a raucous event. Similar traditions have died out but Bacup has kept going. Incredibly unique. I hope the LCC sees this.
Where are the figures that back up the council or is it just a perceived risk which encourages the council to take such a risk averse attitude. I would refer them to the blazing barrels in Hatherleigh and Ottery St. Mary, whose councils have a more enlightened attitude both to tradition and tourism.
The Coconutters are the only reason many people have even heard of Bacup, and definitely the only reason they visit the town. Why feature them (eg on information boards) then deny them the day that defines their existence?
If I do not come acroos to Lancashire to see the nutters then yhou will be losing the value of five meals and variopus drinks over the day as well as a guest house booking to your economy.
I am surprised they need looking after. its a very well behaved event. What else would you expect from a bunch of blocks in skirts with blackened faces? These ENGLISH tradition need to be looked after and treasured.
I have already written separately to lancs cc and await a response
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I have seen the Coconutters dance on several occasions and there has neverbeen any danger to either the dancers, the audience or motorists. This is an unnecessary demand which will serve only to jeopardise a significant cultural and historical event in the area.