A community picnic has due to take place at Jersey Park in Briton Ferry has been cancelled, with organisers saying council bureaucracy has reluctantly forced them into the decision.
It is the second community event in Neath Port Talbot that has been cancelled this week, following the announcement from Aberavon Beach Fest on Wednesday.
Writing on social media, picnic organisers said: “We’re sad to announce that the Great Get Together Picnic planned for 21st June in Jersey Park has been cancelled.
“What began as a simple idea—to bring neighbours together for a relaxed, friendly picnic—turned into a bureaucratic obstacle course involving public liability insurance (£5 million minimum), site plans, risk assessments, and counterterrorism training.
“Unfortunately, as a completely unfunded, grassroots community effort, we simply can’t meet those requirements.
“We wanted to build connection, not an events management career.
“We wanted to share food, not draw up security protocols.
Apparently, even a flask and a sandwich can now qualify as a full-scale “event” in need of formal permissions.
“We remain committed to building community—but clearly we’ll need to think of ways that don’t require a clipboard, a policy manual, and a hard hat.
“Thanks to everyone who offered to help or was planning to come—we’re just as disappointed as you are.”
Neath Port Talbot Council meanwhile insist the decision to cancel is down to the organisers and they have offered their support.
A spokesperson for the council said: “We are in contact with the picnic organiser to provide them with support. The organiser has unfortunately made the decision to cancel the event however we are on hand to provide advice should they wish the event to proceed.”
Overreaching and absurd rules and regulations of Neath Port Talbot council forcing payments of insurance to organiseing a picnic in Jersey Park it is a public park,but now no one is allowed to eat a sandwich in a park