Slough Mela called off

SLOUGH’S most popular festival has been unexpectedly scrubbed from the calendar weeks before it was due to take place.
The Slough Mela, which organisers say attracted about 20,000 people last year, was due to be held at Upton Court Park on July 20.
Organiser Yogesh Kanani said the decision was down to the tens of thousands of pounds that Slough Borough Council and Thames Valley Police are charging to help run the event.
He blamed the “ever increasing Highways charges regarding signage, road closures and traffic enforcement, coupled with an unknown entity with regards to the above costs.”
“Everything is in place and much planning and work has gone into the event, however due to these unforeseen circumstances, beyond our reasonable control, it is impossible to continue with Slough Mela 2008.”
Organisers said that unlike other Melas in the UK, the event is not subsidised.
A spokesman for the council said Complete Party Services, which runs the commercial event, has been meeting the safety advisory group since January and has “always been aware of the need to provide for policing and highways costs to ensure the event can be run successfully and safely.”
She added: “We are naturally disappointed that the organisers have made a commercial decision not to run the Mela this year.”

 
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