Barbecues proving to be a burning issue on Big Meadow in Bidford
THE great Bidford barbecue debate is hotting up as summer approaches.
Passionate voices have been raised on both sides of the argument about whether barbies should be allowed on the Big Meadow. A petition calling for them to be banned has attracted more than 500 signatures since 20th March.
In a statement accompanying the petition on the change.org website, Daniel Rogers said the aim was to end the damage and mess being caused: ‘As a resident of Bidford, I have witnessed the deterioration of our beloved Big Meadow. This park, once a peaceful retreat for locals and visitors alike, has been marred by littering, burnt patches of ground, and barbecue charcoal being dumped into our river.
‘The environmental impact is significant; it’s not just an eyesore but also poses potential harm to local wildlife’.
And he claimed that the policy was out of step with what happened in other areas of open public space: ‘The Big Meadow is the only park in our locality that allows barbecues and open fires. While this may have initially seemed like a unique feature to attract visitors, it has unfortunately led to negative consequences that outweigh any benefits’.
He has received passionate responses to his campaign, with many of those signing the petition also adding comments.
These include: ‘It was disgusting last year; the glass, the chicken bones everywhere’; ‘Having been brought up in Bidford it pains me to see the natural beauty of the meadow being ruined’; and ‘I’m sick of the visitors and mess abusing the place’.
But while their concerns present a powerful case against, Bidford Parish Council says it won’t be rushed into a decision – and says it has also been contacted by those in favour of the current policy.
It says that since the autumn it has been working on a project looking at all aspects of the Big Meadow to put together a long-term plan for it and has brought in consultants – Leaves of Green – to head up the work on exploring the issues and offering a vision of the way forward.
These ideas are due to be unveiled at the annual parish assembly to start a consultation period that will shape what happens next – and on its own Facebook page, the council is clear barbecues are part of the bigger picture.
In a post last month it said: ‘There have been barbecues on Big Meadow for many decades and to ban them now would be making a piecemeal decision.
‘In addition to the messages on Facebook we have had feedback from many residents who say they want to keep the barbecues – so we’re reserving judgement until the consultation on the whole of Big Meadow’.
In a follow-up post at the end of the month, it said the consultation will run from the annual meeting until mid-June – both dates to be confirmed – with the hope a final proposal will be put to the council at its July meeting.
In the meantime, the petition remains open and can be found on the change.org website under the heading, Ban barbecues and open fires at the Big Meadow in Bidford-on-Avon.
