THE STOW: New Year's Eve service until 4am (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)
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THE STOW: New Year's Eve service until 4am
6:37pm Thursday 18th December 2008 in
“DON’T take cover, take over” is the message from an evangelical Christian church to 15,000 worshippers expected at a massive event on New Year’s Eve at Walthamstow Stadium.
The slogan is used by the Kingsway International Christian Church in its advertising campaign for the event, which will run from 8am to 4am and is expected to attract 15,000 people.
The numbers advertised are almost twice the 8,000 capactiy the KICC has said the temporary structure in the stadium will hold.
Residents are concerned the event will cause mass disruption and are angry they have not been consulted.
As a religious service, Watchnight does not require planning permission or a temporary events licence, but the ad campaign promises a pop concert-style atmosphere with a variety of performers.
Satellite TV adverts, posters and flyers advertise the Watchnight Service as an “unmissable” event.
It will be broadcast live to 217 countries on the God Channel and free shuttle buses will be running from Stratford and Hackney every 15 minutes from 7pm until 10pm.
Church pastor Matthew Ashimolowo says on the advert: “You can’t afford to miss it, it’s a night of prayer, global prayer, it’s a night of worship and it’s a night of incredible celebration, 15,000 jubilating at the Walthamstow Stadium.”
KICC chief operations officer James McGlashan said: "The KICC message is very much about helping each other out and getting some training and getting a job so there will be those sorts of messages. It's not like a Madonna concert.”
But the giant temporary structure on the Chingford Road site is causing concern, with many residents worried about noise, traffic, litter and parking.
Fire-fighter, Martin Sullivan, 35, of Grove Park Avenue is livid residents have not been consulted about the services.
He said: “I used to be able to hear everything at the stadium. I’m working over Christmas this year and the first rest day I have in New Year’s Eve. I don’t want to be coming home to after a 48-hour shift and my newborn baby to a huge noise and people blocking the road.”
“I can’t believe there won’t be drinking involved either. I’m hoping they make so much noise on Christmas Day the council will put an injunction on them.”
Katy Andrews, of the New Lammas Lands Defence Committee attended last year’s New Year extravaganza on Leyton Marshes.
She said the tent-like structure had not been soundproofed and could clearly be heard in surrounding streets.
But Mr McGlashan said he was negotiating for extra parking and pledged the volume would be turned down after midnight as people "drifted away".
He added: "We go out of our way to be responsible neighbours. Christmas is only once a year, I would ask people to live and let live."
Comments(25)
Hugh Jed
says...
8:42pm Thu 18 Dec 08
chingfert
says...
10:07pm Thu 18 Dec 08
As the operations officer points out its not a Madonna concert.
I think thats one we can all thank god for.
Stowaway
says...
10:15pm Thu 18 Dec 08
Technomist
says...
2:01am Fri 19 Dec 08
There are 192 members of the United Nations. Although this number represents almost all of the countries in the world, there are still other recognized independent countries, such as the Vatican City and Kosovo, and Taiwan, which was actually a member of the United Nations (and even the Security Council) until 1971, when mainland China replaced Taiwan in the organization.
Where your rporter has conjured the rest from is an interesting question or does the Guardian not have any fact-checkers at all?
dissenter 2008
says...
7:52am Fri 19 Dec 08
simoncornwell
says...
9:09am Fri 19 Dec 08
I checked out the God channel (a scary place for a non-believer like me - lots of apocolyptic nonsense)but to be fair to them they only claim to broadcast to "almost half a billion people, in more than 200 nations and territories." This would then include countries like Scotland and Wales which would fail to be included under your definition. So you are right - this is yet another example of lazy journalism I'm afraid. While I like this website, I have to say I'm not overly impressed with the quality of some of the journalism - is it just me or do all of the journalists seem to aspire to work for the tabloids. And I may be wrong, but although I couldn't think of anything worse than this event, the journalist does seem intent on stoking up residents fears - it would be nice just sometimes to read a piece where the views and prejudices of the journalist were not screaming out to the reader
Walthamstow noob
says...
9:34am Fri 19 Dec 08
Bert Small
says...
10:40am Fri 19 Dec 08
I will reserve judgement on all this but cannot help feeling that noise will be beyon belief all over the holidays.
I am glad that Mrs. Small and I are off to see Madame Grenoux in France for Christmas.
AhOh
says...
10:41am Fri 19 Dec 08
I think we should cut the journalists here some slack. They are intitled to an opinion too. Also; I think this is the second time that Sarah Cosgrove has been targeted and I hope that this is not becoming personal. If she didn't think the story was worthwhile then I doubt that she would be writing about it.
Walthamster
says...
11:15am Fri 19 Dec 08
Nothing unusual there. KICC is a money-making business, whose leader has been ordered to repay some of the many thousands of pounds he's taken from this so-called charity to spend on high living, including a timeshare in Florida and an £80,000 car. See the BBC for details, http://news.bbc.co.u
k/1/hi/uk/4319856.st
m
sensibility
says...
12:24pm Fri 19 Dec 08
That is exactly what I want too. You enjoy yourselves by all means but not everyone locally celebrates Christmas, there are elderly and sick/disabled residents and young babies who would not benefit from excessive noise even before midnight. When throwing a party etc residents in this area tend to do it so it is loud enough for them to hear but not loud enough to disturb others. So please, let us live our lives our way too. Thanks
Baffled
says...
2:36pm Fri 19 Dec 08
Walthamstow noob
says...
2:58pm Fri 19 Dec 08
enna
says...
3:42pm Fri 19 Dec 08
enna
says...
3:43pm Fri 19 Dec 08
Redfox
says...
3:58pm Fri 19 Dec 08
Numbers in the book and name is on council website. nuff said.
Technomist
says...
7:59pm Fri 19 Dec 08
By the time you have been kept up until 4.00am, of course, it is too late. What may be needed is probably some kind of injunction with strict terms to it, in advance, which could be enforced immediately if breached.
The residents could seek legal advice about egtting one, but I don't see why the council doesn't save people the time and expense by getting involved at this stage and seeking one itself, in co-operation with the residents, in advance, and making a commitment to having enforcement officer present, with suitable police if need be in support, if they noise and behaviour is adisruptive as is feared.
The Environmental Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committee will no doubt also be very interested to know what people think about anti-social noise:
Councillor Nick Buckmaster, 020 8496 4718/4340, cllr.nick.buckmaster
@walthamforest.gov.u
k
Councillor Elisabeth Tinuke Davies, 020 8496 4718/4340, cllr.elisabeth.davie
s@walthamforest.gov.
uk
Councillor Andrew Hemsted, 020 8496 4718/4340, Councillor Asim Mahmood, 020 8496 4718/4340, cllr.asim.mahmood@wa
lthamforest.gov.uk, Councillor Laura Sheppard, cllr.laura.sheppard@
walthamforest.gov.uk
Councillor Eric Sizer, 020 8521 6358, cllr.eric.sizer@walt
hamforest.gov.uk
Councillor Patrick Smith, 020 8523 9677, cllr.patrick.smith@w
althamforest.gov.uk
Interestingly, an examination of the responsibilities of the cabinet members does not seem to have noise as a responsibility of Councillor Belam, though the website does describe it as an environmental issue, (the council seeing it as a matter concerning the application of the The Environmental
Protection Act 1990 rather than as an issue relating also to public order and a breach if the peace) but, whatever, it is should be a matter of interest for Councillor Afzal Akram, (020 8496 4147, Mobile 07799 417 418, Cllr.Afzal.Akram@wal
thamforest.gov.uk )
Portfolio Holder for Community Safety, Enforcement and Protection.
Hugh Jed
says...
10:58am Sat 20 Dec 08
Technomist
says...
11:38am Sat 20 Dec 08
sensibility
says...
3:42pm Sat 20 Dec 08
DiscipleofGod
says...
1:51am Tue 23 Dec 08
I think this is a sad world that we live in and this country can no longer call itself a Christian country. When Christians want to get together in mass people complain. Yet there are many people who will keep neighbours awake with their rendering of loud music and heavy drinking and rowdyness. congratulations to KICC for making a stand and having this service. It will be orderly and they will not be drinking. The music will be earlier in the evening and then there will be preaching and praying. Where is the problem in that. They will be praying for our country and troups and all countries throughout the world. They will be praying for people all aroung the world. What is wrong in that. Good for Kicc to make a stand for Christ and what we believe in and trying restablish the Christian Faith in this country. let them celebrate you dont have to go do you. For the neighbours in that area
I am sure that KIcc will do all they can to keep the noise to a limit and not cause a disturbance to the neighbours. Because they care about others.
GOD BLESS SHALOM SHALOM JESUS IS LORD
AND HAVE A GREAT CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR
jrp
says...
9:30am Tue 23 Dec 08
It's just not very christian to bring 15000 people to an area that clearly cannot cope with those sort of numbers, and evidence from Hoe Street shows the KICC does not give a **** about causing traffic problems, they have cahts out of their wondoews oblivious to the queue forming behind them. Sorry but this should be a no go. DiscipleofGod if you think this will go off without a hitch, religion has clouded your judgement (day)
enna
says...
11:19am Tue 23 Dec 08
Attn: DiscipleofGod
You do not need to bring 15,000 people together to pray for the world if you are truely Christian then you will be doing this on a daily basis without causing choas for those of other backgrounds.
The music may finish early as you point out but what about the noise of 15,000 people leaving a venue, they will not be leaving one by one or in silience will they?
Walthamster
says...
2:42pm Tue 23 Dec 08
As we've seen from other stories on this subject, this supposedly Christian organisation has lied about the number of people involved and the number and duration of the planned events.
DiscipleofGod and others: I'm not anti-Christian and will be going to carol services as part of a sociable family Christmas.
If my dear old relatives force other people out of the car park, hold a riotous party in the church and stampede out afterwards knocking other people into the gutter -- well, I'll be more than surprised! But they actually are Christians,. They really do believe in "love thy neighbour".
Chip San-Gravy
says...
7:34am Mon 29 Dec 08
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