Prohibitive event invades our space

Hibernating hedgehogs could be affected by the Bute Park light show

Letter published in South Wales Echo, 24 November

THE Christmas in Bute Park light show comes with a whopping price tag of £65.45 for a family of four – way beyond the means of many families living in the city.What is free and accessible for all – or should be – is public open space.

However, not only does this hugely expensive event fail to cater for most of Cardiff’s citizens, it also denies them access to this invaluable open space.The event was already being set up by November 10, with all the associated disruption. It won’t be fully dismantled until January 16.

The pandemic has illustrated, beyond doubt, how much we all rely on the natural world for our health and wellbeing, yet tracts of this city- centre refuge are being restricted to those who can pay.

There are also deep concerns for the park’s wildlife – roosting birds, hibernating hedgehogs – and the disruption this protracted event will cause. Cardiff council has declared a nature emergency but does precious little to mitigate this crisis.A commercial event such as this one should not be invading public green space – such areas should be sacrosanct and maintained for the benefit of all.