I have just picked up a copy of out local free newspaper, the “Chichester News” and read the regular column by TV & Radio broadcaster, Tommy Boyd. Now some of you who have heard or read Tommy’s material may find him irritating or plain silly. Now I will confess to not being anti Tommy in any way as I too share many of his gripes and observations about life in general.
In this weeks edition Tommy has drawn attention the noise that was made over three nights this week at Goodwood House during the latest attraction there, the “ Vintage Goodwood”. This event closely followed the “Goodwood Festival of Speed” and will be itself followed by the “Goodwood Revival”. In fact once we have recovered from the speed of the vintage we will no doubt need revival! Where will it all end?
Anyway this whole “Goodwood Thing” got me to thinking. We had, as Tommy pointed out in his article, endured the three nights of throbbing music that lasted up until midnight on the Friday, Saturday AND Sunday. We had endured the traffic congestion during the earlier “Speed” thing and we will have to endure it all again during the next “Revival” thing! So with all this in mind I rattled off a quick “missive” to the Estate of the saintly Earl of March or is it Lord March, I am never sure these days but I do think he is the Earl.
Anyway, I rattled off this email to one of his minions asking just how much, as a percentage, the Earl and or his estate puts back into the local charities of the immediate area surrounding the Estate.
At this stage I just want to remind my readers that the Goodwood Estate comprises a rather lovely stately home, extensive well kept grounds, a world class horse racing track, a large golf club, an hotel, a motor racing circuit and finally a small airfield! I am sure that there must be some farms and other enterprises hidden away in that lot somewhere but this list will have to do.
OK, back to my mail to the Estate. They have ignored me which is no surprise as I am not one of the many somewhat wealthy patrons of the facilities provided by the estate given that attendance at any of the events I have mentioned will cost a couple around £110 just to get in the the venue. As I have moaned about in my earlier subject about the Festival of Speed where buying a ticket gets you nothing other than dusty, weary and lighter in the pocket by an extortionate £12.50 for a programme and heavens knows how much for a beer and bun!
Poor old Tommy ( I use the term lightly given that I am considerably older than he) got reported to the police for playing loud music at his home. Who, if anyone, has complained about the noise from that flaming “Vintage thing”.?
All in all I think that Goodwood “events” are all about playtimes for rich nobs and very little else. How about some discounts for local people, how about including a programme in the extortionate cost of entry to an event? How about a bit of obvious public donations to the local community?
Is it all about elitism or am I missing something? You know, sometimes I feel positively Marxist!
4 comments:
Dear TIT.
Noisy down there is it?, move North young man; move North.
Your in silence
MAD
There has been a long running battle between nimbys, sorry, locals and Alton Towers for some time, they have had some success, read more here( http://tinyurl.com/2dotwlt) I think you should set up a demonstration camp outside the gates, like Greenham Common, but where do you find 20 lesbians at short notice?
Frank.
Oh yes, noise (dear old MAD up there in the silent ..... or is it silent world? ) and Frank don't worry, I have sent a letter to the Greenham Retiree Club looking for helpers!! I only want CHEAPER TICKETS!!
When we had the National Garden Festival here in Stoke some years back the locals could obtain reduced admission on production of your rates bill etc.
But I do sympathise, do Longleat, Chatsworth etc offer such a peace offering to the the locals I wonder?
Frank.
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