Canalival 2013, London’s Regent Canal. Photo: Ian Phillips
The tow path along the Regents Canal in Hackney has been closed after rumours spread on social media that a repeat of last years controversial Canalival event – which left the canal piled high with rubbish by partygoers – was being planned.
There have been rumours on Twitter and social media that Canalival will be happening on the Regents Canal again this Saturday.
#canalival 31st of may… last year was spectacular. anyone else up for it? starts at 12pm saturday same place as last time
— Todd Padwick (@todd_143) May 26, 2014
According to Time Out’s ‘Now Here This’ blog, a Facebook proposal for Canalival to happen again this weekend had: “attracted a number of potential attendees before it was shut down.”
The Canal River Trust has decided to close the tow path so that it cannot go ahead.
The Trust has been working with Hackney Council and the Metropolitan Police to stop the festival. The Met told ELL that they will: “be working closely with the Canal and River Trust to ensure the event does not go ahead.”
@tim1882 the message from @CanalRiverTrust is fairly unequivocal – they won't be allowing #canalival – we will be there to support them.
— Hackney MPS (@MPSHackney) May 29, 2014
A Trust spokeperson told ELL: “We will have a stoppage in place for 24 hours tomorrow from Lock 6, Sturts Lock to Lock 8, Old Ford Lock [between Upper Street in Islington and the Mile End Rd]. We will have staff in the areas and if your boat is moored in that area, you’re not going to be able to navigate around. There will be a police force present around the area to make sure no-one tries to get on the canal.”
The navigation closure will take place from May 31 8am to June 1 8am.
Many people have taken to Twitter and their own blogs to fight against (or for) a Canalival repeat this weekend. From London Live’s video of Canalival last year, a local employee and cafe manager, Lori de Mori, said this about the festival in 2013 : “ There was a path of destruction in their wake.”
But the Dalstonist ,Mark Wilding saw the event from a different angle, saying: “Isn’t it sad that an event aimed at bringing people together is now being used to drive people apart? Events like Canalival are sadly lacking nowadays. There was no hidden agenda. A good natured event took place with thousands of people in attendance, who showed there was no need for hundreds of stewards or a large police presence.”
Photo Credit: Ed Fox @Sandboy39
Wilding argues that: “The biggest complaints have centred around litter and people urinating in public. These are problems that can be solved… Never mind the fact that litter has been a problem along the canal since long before Canalival.”
As well as Wilding, there are many Twitter followers that think or hope Canalival is happening.
@Kill_Cal Alright chief, you at Canalival this weekend?
— Philip Mawer (@PhilipMawer) May 30, 2014
So, is Canalival off? Or?
— Alice Grace Carroll (@AlGraceCarroll) May 27, 2014
Oh boy, 2.3k people already attending the Canalival event on FB since it went up this afternoon. Gonna be even bigger than last year.
— Barney Guiton (@BarneyGuiton) May 26, 2014
https://twitter.com/craigmelson/status/471705826747748353
But it seems more people are fighting against Canalival.
Thinking of going down to #canalival this weekend? – DON'T. The event is unlicensed and will cause untold damage. Please spread the word!
— Victoria Spires (@victoriaspires) May 29, 2014
Don’t take part in #Canalival chaos. We won’t stand for the canal being trashed again pic.twitter.com/8pL1NPr4S1
— Canal & River Trust (@CanalRiverTrust) May 27, 2014
https://twitter.com/RedditLondon/status/472341458024800257
@OnIn_London @Canalival who's up for going to protest against canalival this Saturday? basically an event where bankers destroy wildlife
— CYMBALS (@CYMBALSmusic) May 27, 2014
