Parish council objects to cancer charity events on Dorset farm
Farmer Philip Trim has raised £50,000 in tribute to his late wife
A parish council has objected to cancer charity fund raising events at a local farm.
Affpuddle and Turnerspuddle parish councillors say the summer-only events at Throop Hollow Farm create too much noise for some residents.
They told a licensing hearing in Dorchester on Thursday that when the events started two years ago there were around a dozen complaints.
Farmer Philip Trim said over £50,000 had been raised so far from the events which he started in tribute to his wife who died of cancer three years ago.
He told the panel it was not his intention to have many events as his time was limited as a busy farmer, nor did he intend large-scale or noisy gatherings, limiting numbers to 500, including those who stay at the farm’s summer campsite.
Mr Trim said he had applied for the premises licence for the farm, which would allow events at any time, rather than keep having to apply for a Temporary Event Notice for each occasion, as he had done in the past. The hours he asked for were 6pm to 11pm for the sale of alcohol and live or recorded music, based at one of his barns.
Parish council chair Sue Jones said that change of tack was what was worrying some residents who feared events throughout the year, disturbing their peace on a more regular basis.
Mr Trim told the licensing panel that all he had planned for this year was a tractor rally on July 2nd and one fundraising event each weekend throughout August – adding that he had time for no more with each event aimed at families, mostly drawn from the local farming community, many of which he knew personally.
“I am not looking to do massive festivals, just small events to raise money for people in need,” he said, adding that there had never been any problems over the two years.
“I am not expecting to see a lot of drunken people around our farm. It’s the last thing I want,” he said, outlining measures in place to deal with any problems.
Mr Trim, responding to a question from the parish council, said he would be prepared to agree a condition to limit the events to July and August, should the licensing panel wish it.
Parish chairman Sue Jones told the panel that a noise management plan, as had been suggested, by the environmental health team might help ease residents’ concerns and lessen complaints, especially if Mr Trim ensured local people were told when events were likely to be held.
A decision on the application is expected to be announced within 5 working days.