Simonb said:
JohnB said:So if anyone's at the Winchester Alt Transport Day on Wednesday
Why hold it on a *Wedneday*?
Because September 22nd has been designated as European Car Free Day.
From Winchester's 'On The Move' page:
"Why hold it on September 22nd?
In 1999, many European towns and cities began to hold their own events
to publicise the effect that increased traffic was having on their
environment. It was decided that the date to hold these events should be
fixed and be a regular date so that it focused the minds of those taking
part and allowed the concepts to be expanded as the years progressed.
The date scheduled for these activities was selected as 22nd September."
+++
Fuller details of the day are at:
http://www.winchester.gov.uk/NewsArticleL.asp?id=SXED2D-A77FB186
It is very noticeable that Winchester has shied away from calling it a
Car-Free Day as that is far far too radical and extreme title, yet they
want to be seen to be doing something. Hence the Alternative name.
It's hardly 'car-free' but they do close a small part of The Square for
a few hours - pretty much a backwater anyway, but it still gets the
cackles up of a few moaners. The notices telling people about this
closure are already in place but some will continue to complain.
However, it *is* worth a visit if you are in the area and have half an
hour or so to spare. Unless you are into electric vehicles there really
has been little else in recent years although the Segway provided much amusement.
I'll go but largely because its a day and a concept that I feel is
well-worth supporting.
....And it can be very pleasant to sit outside the Eclipse in The Square
and listen to the live band with a pint of Hampshire King Alfred. I
think I doubled the audience last year until the lunchtime office crowd
came out for their leg-stretching rituals.
Will you be there?
John B