The Island’s MP, Andrew Turner, has paid tribute to the community spirit displayed by Islanders during the difficult conditions over the Festival weekend.
Mr Turner said:
“I want to pay tribute to the Vectis 4 x 4 Responders and the many tractor-drivers who came to the aid of those trying to get their cars out of the Festival car park on Sunday and Monday. It shouldn’t have been necessary for these volunteers to give up so much of their time simply because there was no robust forward plan. However, if it had not been for their willing help when it became clear they were needed, the situation would have been a whole lot worse than it eventually was.
“People also helped festival-goers and fellow Islanders who were stranded or held up before and after the Festival. From letting young families use their toilets, giving food to school children held up for hours trying to get home, and even giving total strangers a bed for the night. Such actions showed our Island community in a very good light. Many people have called my office to complain about the situation – the Council described it as ‘chaos’ – but some have also said how much they appreciated the kindness shown to them by strangers.
“Islanders are not daft; they understand there will be a certain amount of upheaval around the Festival. However, the level of disruption caused to people trying to get to work or school or important appointments and even trying to attend funerals was totally unacceptable, as was the loss of business sustained by many Island companies. It must not be allowed to happen again.”
Island Pulse would like to remind our readers, of the Isle of Wight Emergency Community Facebook Group which was actively assisting those in need at the start of the IW Festival on June 22nd 2012.
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