THIS year’s Swindon Mela has been cancelled by organisers who blame the decision on Swindon Council limiting of the capacity of Town Gardens to 5,000 people for events.

A statement from the Mela organising committee said: “It is with deep regret that Swindon Mela Directors and Project Team have to announce the cancellation of the Swindon Mela event scheduled for Saturday, August 24.

“The decision came at an emergency meeting on the May 1 following formal receipt of the Swindon Council's cabinet decision, through the Event Safety Advisory Group, to limit the capacity at the Town Gardens to a maximum of 5,000 visitors, staff and volunteers at any one time; despite published information that the venue has a 10,000 limit which the Swindon Mela has rigidly observed over the last six years.

“The Town Gardens has been the ideal site for the event over the last 10 years and continues to be an important and integral part of the attraction of the Mela itself: the Mela would not be as we lovingly know at present if it were to be if staged elsewhere. 

“The Swindon Mela Project Team appreciates that the event brings much pleasure to members of all of our communities in Swindon and provides a source of substantial income into the local economy."

A Swindon Council spokesman said the decision had been made in February and that organisers had tknown for months that the capacity limit was changing.

“The decision to reduce the event capacity at the Town Gardens was taken following feedback from the local community, who had experienced significant problems with cars blocking driveways and not being able to gain access to their properties during large events at the venue,” the spokesman said.

“The council, police and fire service also had some significant safety concerns because although organisers of the Mela say they have observed the 10,000 capacity limit at the Town Gardens over the last few years, the events safety team believed this limit was exceeded. A 5,000 capacity was therefore deemed appropriate for such an event in that particular neighbourhood.

“The council values the Mela and wants to support the event, but the Town Gardens is not suitable for an event of this size. Alternative, more appropriate venues such as Lydiard Park and the Lawns have been suggested in the last few years but, unfortunately, these were rejected by the event organisers.

“We are disappointed the organisers have opted to cancel this year’s Mela, but we are happy to work with them should they wish to reconsider their decision.”