Crowds partying in parks before restrictions eased
LARGE groups of people were seen partying and singing in Montpellier Gardens on the last weekend of strict lockdown restrictions.
From Monday lockdown was eased and groups of up to six people can meet in a private garden or in a park to exercise.
But that had clearly been ignored by at least two large groups of people seen in Cheltenham.
One woman from Cheltenham took a video at 9pm on Saturday night of crowds in Montpellier Gardens.
She said: “Whilst some people were adhering to social distancing guidance, most people were not.
“You can see in the video more than one crowd in very close contact, with one in particular who were drunk and rolling around over each other. I am furious that this is the behaviour of some people in our town.
“I am baffled that so many people think they are invincible, and that so many people are this selfish. I wonder if they have taken a moment to think about how many businesses are suffering, how many key workers are putting their lives at risk and how many children are missing out on their education.”
She added: “My mum is a senior nurse who has returned to work (despite having severe back issues and a recent operation on her ankle), and has been working on the covid-positive intensive care unit for the last seven weeks in Gloucester Royal Hospital. Every day she has returned from work worn out.
“Meanwhile, my youngest brother has remained in lockdown at his dad’s (who is a GP) house for two and a half months to avoid any form of crosscontamination between houses given that they are both key workers.”
Police had previously said that its officers will continue to engage, explain, encourage and, only as a last resort, enforce the regulations.
While social distancing can’t be enforced by law, the law states you can’t gather in groups with people from other households and that can be enforced by police officers.
On Sunday morning litter was seen lying across Montpellier Gardens, found by an early morning dog walker.
She posted a video of her dog approaching broken glass and laughing gas canisters.
And over in Pittville Park, rubbish was left at the side of bins after a busy day at the park.
Tess Beck, of St Paul’s Residents Association, said: “The park is being especially well used because of the good weather and the covid-19 restrictions, as all other parks in Cheltenham. And most people are very good about clearing up after themselves. There was only the one really bad area.”
She said that volunteer groups which would usually do a lot of litter picking have been stood down due to restrictions.