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Big Urban Fete by Dover Big Local a success despite Extinction Rebellion Eastern Docks protest

A major fun day thrived despite fears it may be affected by a massive port protest.

The Big Urban Fete attracted more than 500 visitors, had about 50 stalls and raised £150 for Dover Foodbank.

The South East Gulls Disability FC stall at Dover Big Urban. Pictured are Craig Hucksted,Wendy Hucksted and Julie Harris.Picture: Paul Amos
The South East Gulls Disability FC stall at Dover Big Urban. Pictured are Craig Hucksted,Wendy Hucksted and Julie Harris.Picture: Paul Amos

It was feared that the event, on Saturday at the town's Pencester Gardens, might suffer the knock-on effect of the nearby port blockade by Extinction Rebellion.

There was a particular the worry of queuing traffic spilling into the town as a result.

But carefull planning by fete organisers, and being a comfortable distance from the protest, meant the event was still able to succeed.

Bridgette Lee, of the organisers, community group Dover Big Local, said: "It went brilliantly and we were not affected by the protest.

"There were no holdups in traffic and it was very well advertised that we were going ahead. We ended up with lots of stalls on the day."

The .Riverfords Organic Farm stall at the Big Urban Fete. Hannah Knowles shows her produce to Patricia Castleton. Picture: Paul Amos.
The .Riverfords Organic Farm stall at the Big Urban Fete. Hannah Knowles shows her produce to Patricia Castleton. Picture: Paul Amos.

Dover Big Local had organised for stallholders to come into the town the night before.

They were allowed to leave their equipment overnight at the Co-Innovation small business hub a few dozen yards away.

In addition more parking spaces were provided by the neighbouring Dover Technology College.

In the end only two stallholders had cancelled for fear of disruption.

Visitors were also advised to walk to take away the risk of being stuck in traffic.

The Extinction Rebellion protest outside thedocks.Picture: Paul Amos.
The Extinction Rebellion protest outside thedocks.Picture: Paul Amos.

Ms Lee also said the core of the demonstration was about 15 minutes, walk away, by the Eastern Docks roundabout.

The Big Urban Fete had musicians such as singer Charlie Dee and the groups Madstones and Crazy Katz.

There were also stalls from groups such as the White Cliffs Countryside Partnership and South East Gulls Disability FC.

It was opened by Dover mayor Gordon Cowan.

The environment protest was to blockade Dover Eastern Docks, by coincidence at almost exactly the same time as the fete.

There had been 10 arrests from this.

Some campaigners had held up traffic and others had failed to stick within a designated area for the demonstrators.

The A2 Jubilee Way was briefly closed that morning when some activists obstructed the carriageway.

Others reportedly glued themselves to the westbound A20 just outside the docks roundabout.

For more pictures of the Big Urban Fete see this Wednesday's Dover Mercury newspaper.

Read more: all the latest news from Dover.

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