South Wales Evening Post - 9 May 2007
Organisers of a controversial summer music festival in Swansea have been urged to clean up their act - even before the event has started.
Residents want assurances that their peace and harmony will not be disturbed before the 30,000 expected music fans descend on the city for the Fflam festival.
People living in Brynmill and Sketty are worried about noise levels and fear the influx of revellers for the event at Singleton Park on July 13, 14 and 15 will cause a dramatic increase in anti-social problems and bury their gardens in mountains of litter.
Uplands councillor Jayne Woodman is now seeking assurances from the promoters that local residents' fears aren't realised.
"As a local resident and councillor I'd be prepared to put up with the noise for a weekend," said Councillor Woodman.
"But certain guarantees by the organisers must be made first.
"Whenever similar type of events are held at the park, gardens are trashed and we are left to clean up the mess after revellers throw their litter in them.
"I want a cast-iron commitment from the promoters that the site and surrounding area will be thoroughly cleaned up."
Plans to bring the Fflam Festival featuring Manic Street Preachers to Singleton Park have angered hundreds of nearby residents.
Last month 200 of them attended a highly-charged public meeting to voice their concerns about the festival and more than 400 people have signed a petition calling for it not to go ahead.
But Councillor Woodman is taking a different approach.
The Uplands councillor believes that despite the protests the festival will go ahead, and is looking at ways to reduce problems for residents.
She said festival-goers should be banned from taking alcohol into the event, and also welcomed innovative ideas and restrictions to help to minimise disruption to the local community.
"Whether we like it or not, the Fflam festival will go ahead," she said."I'd also like to encourage innovative ideas.
"I went to watch a Robbie Williams concert in Hamburg and there wasn't a drop of litter in sight.
"Before you could buy a drink at the concert you had to queue up for a plastic glass with a logo on it and pay a deposit of two euros.
"At the end of the concert you could queue up at the end to get a refund or you could keep the glass as a souvenir.
"A similar system could be adopted here."
