6:37pm Thursday 18th December 2008
By Sarah Cosgrove
“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."
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