Skegness Magazine

Source: Skegness Standard 29th December 2000
Story: Keith Moody
Photos: Paul Gooch

Carry on as normal is the police advice to Skegness people, despite the resort nearly grinding to a standstill after thousands of travellers flocked to the town on Saturday.
Around 200 vans crammed into the Embassy Centre car parks and on to Scarbrough Esplanade, but at noon on Wednesday they moved to the Festival Pavilion car park.
Photo - Travellers invade Skegness Christmas 2000

Pubs and clubs closed, local business suffered, and many visitors chose not to come to the resort fearing the worst.
East Lindsey District Council arranged water supplies, toilets and rubbish disposal facilities for the travellers.
One of the travellers who wished to remain anonymous, told the Standard he was unhappy with the way police had dealt with the situation.
He estimated 2,000 travellers were in town and said many would co-operate with the police.
If all goes to plan they are hoping to move on after New Year.
He said “We don’t want no trouble.” but blamed police officers for closing down the resort’s pubs and causing tension in the town.

Insp Russ Hardy said officers had given advice to licensees but had not forced anyone to close.
Insp Hardy, who is working closely with the travellers, said there had not been a significant increase in reported crime over the Christmas period.
But reports have been made to the Standard of pickpocketing, fake money circulating in the town, fighting and vandalism.
Phillip Key, general manager of the Parade Complex, said the travellers had not caused too many problems.
Dean Gillison, proprietor of the Marin Boathouse, said he had not had too much trouble.
But other pubs in the town are reported to have been damaged - reports which are being played down by the police and licensees.

One person said he had seen three travellers urinating in a phone box.
“If this is happening then it’s not being reported,” said Insp Hardy.
He said the number of officers policing the town would be increased around the seafront, Lumley Road, and the area where the travellers were staying.
Insp Hardy said a lot of rumours were circulating the town, blowing minor incidents out of proportion.

At the Embassy Centre car parks, vans blocked the emergency exits and forced the Janice Sutton Theatre School to cancel the Boxing Day and Wednesday performances of A Magical Christmas 2000.
Janice was saddened by what had happened, but said she was glad the show could go on. [new dates had been planned]

Bob Suich, East Lindsey’s head of tourism and public relations said he was “extremely upset” and complained the redeveloped seafront was being spoilt by the travellers.
“I can’t think of a worse thing that could happen,” he said.

Mayor of Skegness, Coun Frank Grunnill said “They’re here, and there’s nothing we can do about it. I’m happy they moved to the Festival Pavilion car park. That’s half the battle won.”

Coun Dick Edgington said he was “appalled and incensed” by what had happened.
He said “It would appear the authorities, ie the district council and the police, are operating a policy of containment until the travellers leave. But was the district council unaware of their intentions?”

Coun Mick Capes, leader of the district council, said he had no idea they were coming and only found out an hour before they arrived.
“The effect on the town has been devastation,” he said. “This is the last thing we could afford to happen after what has been a wet year.”

“Vile state” of Embassy Car Parks filth left in Skegness by travellers.
He said they had left the Embassy car parks in a “vile state” but their filth had now been cleaned up and the car parks were now safe, clean and ready for use.

Picture below: Mayor of Skegness, Coun Frank Grunnill surveying the filth left by the travellers.

Sir Richard Body, MP for Boston and Skegness, said the travellers should be “jumped on immediately” and warned action needed to be taken to prevent them returning to the resort.
He said if East Lindsey refused to take action it would only show the foreshore should be handed back to the people of Skegness, “in other words, the town council”.

Both Mr Capes and Insp Hardy have said they will do everything they can to prevent this from happening again.
Insp Hardy said one possibility was to apply to the Secretary of State for a Section 14 Order which would exclude them from the town.