‘Light and Life’ Festival Should Not Cause Concerns

The hosts of a Christian festival, set to return to Market Harborough this summer, are reassuring local residents and businesses there’s nothing to be worried about – after some shops and pubs decided to shut for the duration last year.

Hundreds of gypsy and traveller families from across the country are again expected to attend the ‘Light and Life’ Convention at the Harborough Showground this July*, for a programme including prayer, gospel music and song, and Bible study groups.

When the news was announced on Wednesday (24th April), Harborough’s MP, Neil O’ Brien contacted HFM to criticise Harborough District Council’s decision to allow the festival to return…

A Harborough District Council spokesperson responded: “The Showground is a private venue with private event management. As the event meets the criteria for acceptable use of the land by the Showground and as there will be no licensable activities, the organisers will not need to apply to Harborough District Council for any licenses or permissions.”

Although the Council does not have any responsibility for this booking, its statement added: “In the run up to the event, the organisers will be working with the Showground and local agencies – including the council, Leicestershire Police and Leicestershire Fire and Rescue – to ensure that the event runs as smoothly as possible. The District Council felt it important that advance notice of this event is shared widely at the earliest opportunity to enable businesses to prepare for the increase in numbers of people in the local area.”

James Webb, from Harborough Showground agrees, and says they were more than happy to take the booking again after everything went so smoothly in 2023…

*The ‘Light and Life’ Convention will be back at the Harborough Showground from Saturday the 20th to Friday 26th July 2024 and organisers say local people are also very welcome to attend.

An event at the festival. {Pic: Light and Life Chart Sutton}