Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Anger after stunt display makes its mark on green
lstafford@thekmgroup.co.uk A stunt show has angered campaigners – who say it left damage and litter behind on their green.
Hundreds turned out at Kingsmead Field on Sunday to watch the dramatic Extreme Stunt Show Live, which featured daring displays by trucks and motorbikes.
But residents and councillors have since blasted the damage caused by the hefty vehicles, which they say churned up the soil and scorched the grass. Among them is Save Kingsmead Field campaigner Sue Langdown, who said: “We’re happy to see the field used, but what really concerns us is the tyre marks that have cut into the field, making the surface uneven.
“It will really be quite challenging for team sports like cricket and American football.
“It’s a worry that children and sports clubs might not be able to play.
“Anyone who uses the field should be required to leave it in as good a state as they found it.
“The circus and the fairs that use it have never left it in such a state.
“The beauty of Kingsmead Field is that it provides people with an area for fun, relaxation and sport. The least they should expect is for it to be in a reasonable condition.”
She also said campaign volunteers had spent two days clearing rubbish left by the crowds, adding: “It’s sad we had more to do than usual.”
The city’s Liberal Democrat leader Cllr Alex Perkins described the council as “disgraceful” for allowing the field to be “trashed” by the event.
He has called on the authority to charge the organisers for the cost of repairing the damage.
He said: “In principle, it’s fine to hire out the field for events. Just as long as it’s done responsibly and the field is cared for.
“This time, it hasn’t been. It’s been churned up and burnt. There are huge scorch marks, tyre tracks and indentations in the grass.
“I want the council to accept responsibility for it and spend the necessary money to make it usable again.”
Campaigners have applied for village green status for the field, which would block council plans to build housing there.
A decision is expected to be reached by Kent County Council in the autumn.