Carnival bunting safety hazard

With Audlem a possible contender for the title of "Flag and Bunting capital of England" for much of the summer, spare a thought for the citizens of Ferndown in Dorset.

The carnival at Ferndown has been celebrated for many years with bunting stretched across the street for the carnival parade. But not this year. Council officials from Dorset County Council have refused permission for the bunting on, you've guessed, safety grounds.

A council spokesman said: "Bunting hung between street lighting columns* that stand close to the road can sag and become entangled in passing traffic, such as buses and lorries."

Meanwhile, the amount of petty bureaucracy involved in organising a village fete has caused one national newspaper to approach public bodies to find out what licences, permissions, insurances et would be needed to run a traditional fete on a village green.

One council press officer said: "To give you all the information would take absolutely ages. Unless you issue a formal Freedom of Information request, we won't be able to give all of it because it really is that much information."

*Once known as lampposts

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