Council issues Statement On Mayday Situation after Public Petition is Launched

Following the launch of an online Petition by a member of the public to keep the iconic BlueJam band in the Penrith Mayday parade this year after it was revealed that noise regualtion Westmorland and Funress Council are required to enforce as the local authority could impact the parade.

The council has now said in a Statement issued late on Friday afternoon.

“We can categorically state that there is absolutely no ban on bands taking part in this year’s May Day celebrations in Penrith and Westmorland and Furness Council is not enforcing noise limits that will prevent bands from taking part.

“As with all large organised events and in line with national guidance and legal requirements, the council routinely liaises with event organisers to ensure measures such as appropriate health and safety, food hygiene standards, public liability insurances and any required road closures are in place to protect both the public and the event organisers. 

“This includes discussions about noise levels and basic information and advice, such as asking organisers to consider the location of any static positions of bands or stages where bands may be performing for prolonged periods, so performances do not cause undue disturbance to nearby residents. All we advise is that organisers planning any static band positions or stages consider consulting nearby residents as a courtesy and to check noise levels in those locations.

“To be clear though, this does not apply to carnival or drumming bands in processions or parades.  Drumming in a parade is not, and has never been, an issue and the council has never ‘banned’ any band from taking part in any parade.

“The council has today (Friday) contacted both Penrith Lions and BlueJam Arts (BJamber) named in the report to discuss the issue and to reassure them about the council’s position and advice.

“It is also regrettable that the council was not approached for comment or response until after the article had been published online and on social media this week, so we were not offered an opportunity to correct the record before the article was published, resulting in the understandable, and avoidable, alarm, distress and upset felt by the local community.''

Since the news emerged a public outpouring of support for the Mayday parade and Bluejam has seen a petition launched to call for public support of the parade and calling for the council to allow the Bluejam band to be part of the parade without any restrictions.

Its unclear if the councils change of position is as a result of the petition launched by Victoria Turnbull who said “May Day is very important to Penrith, it is a day of celebrating what a wonderful town we live in and we celebrate all of our community from the farmers and their tractors to the youth groups who show us their amazing talents. It brings people from far and wide and it is a precious day to us all.”

“Bluejam are pivotal to this day and have been for the last 20 years , their music brings sunshine to any rainy May Day . They practice all year long and they deserve their place in our parade . Music has been around for ever and in a modern world where we can close ourselves off live music is vital .”

“ Music is not noise it is a way of expression and bringing joy to others . Taking music away is like ripping the heart out of our lovely town Penrith.”

The petition is not linked to any of the organisation involved in the Mayday event.