Parkrun organisers in Guildford have announced the cancellation of this weekend’s event again. They say it’s once more due to those currently camping in an unauthorised settlement in Stoke Park.
This weekend’s event, which was scheduled to go ahead on Saturday (May 27) is the second in a row to be cancelled by Guildford Parkrun organisers. In a statement last week, they said their “top priority is to hold a safe event, and we cannot do this if there is a risk of vehicle movements in the park”.
They added: “At this time we do not know when the caravans will move on so please check back for updates about next weekend.”
READ MORE: Guildford Parkrun cancelled after unauthorised encampment of 17 caravans in Stoke Park
In a statement posted this morning (Thursday), Guildford Parkrun said: “We are sorry to say that Guildford parkrun is again CANCELLED this Saturday 27th May due to the unauthorised encampment in Stoke Park.
“We hope to be back on next week but please keep an eye on this page for updates. It is going to be a beautiful weekend so we hope you enjoy some parkrun tourism.”
Guildford Borough Council announced on Tuesday (May 23) that it had applied for a court order in relation to the unauthorised encampment. It came as a spokesperson for the council told SurreyLive earlier this week in a statement that most encampments are reasonable and move on within 24 hours of an order being issued.
Police were first made aware of the unauthorised encampment on Thursday May 18.
A spokesperson for Surrey Police confirmed to SurreyLive at the time: “Surrey Police were made aware of an unauthorised encampment of around 17 caravans and associated vehicles in Stoke Park on Thursday, May 18. Officers have visited the site and will continue to work with our partners at Guildford Borough Council, who own the land, to monitor the situation.”
A spokesperson for Surrey Gypsy Traveller Communities Forum has previously led calls for a transit site in the county for travelling families to stop at. They said at the time: “Surrey does not have any temporary stop sites which means that people on the road have to find places which may not be popular with local people.
“No one wants to pull up to a place where there may be anger, rejection, sometimes abuse, and the requirement to move on quickly. This is especially difficult when there is a crisis such as needing to visit a sick or dying relative, when a safe and legal place to stay would make life so much easier.”
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