Commercialising Blickling Park

In mid-July, the Blickling estate in Norfolk hosted a programme of popular concerts running from Friday to Tuesday. These were huge open-air events with leading international performers and audiences of many thousands. A considerable portion of the parkland was occupied. Preparation and clear-up extended the intrusion for additional days but there was no prior warning about this planned disruption either on the Trust’s website or on the app to advise members who regularly visit this normally uncrowded place.

On the sixth of August, the estate is hosting a similar event: a “Classic Ibiza” concert.  With tickets at £45 a time, I have no doubt there will be another great financial gain for the Trust but events such as these have nothing to do with the core purpose of the Trust and are an entirely inappropriate use of what is normally a peaceful rural parkland.

Where are decisions to host these events taken: is it nationally or locally? There is a danger that this increasing commercialisation will place growth and profit above the interests of the Trust’s members and, with it, a risk that the traditional character of the Trust will be irretrievably damaged.

Is it not time for the opinions of local members to be sought as part of the early planning process?

Robin Thomas

Norwich