Our thanks to everyone who completed the survey after the first Oktoberfest was held in August. This helped us clarify local views before going back to Ealing Council with feedback about the Oktoberfest and similar events on Acton Green in the future.
Overall, it was felt that the event was well managed in terms of security and noise levels although low attendance probably contributed to this and there was concern that had more people attended local disruption would have been much more serious. Residents who live close to the Green were understandably the most critical and there were a number of reports of noise levels being so intrusive that they prevented people from opening windows in the warm weather or using their gardens. Other residents expressed sympathy for the adverse effect on householders living nearby and questioned the suitability of holding any additional events in the heart of a residential community.
While a number of people welcomed the idea of public events being held occasionally to encourage people to meet and to be more “inclusive,” there was a strong preference for these events to be community-based rather than purely commercial. However, comments were also made about the disturbance caused by existing events during the year and it was generally felt that there should be a limit on any additional events of no more than one or two per year and they should not exceed three days’ duration.
When asked if it was appropriate to hold another beer festival or similar event in future, only a third of respondents agreed. Residents expressed a desire to be consulted in advance of any proposed event and for each one to be considered on a case-by-case basis.
The Society has contacted Ealing Council to convey the results of the survey and to ask to be kept up to date on any future plans for events so that residents’ views can be considered.