A Facebook page that sparked the demise of Arbroath’s Seafront Spectacular is being taken down.
Shaun Sievwright has decided to delete the Against Seafront Spectacular campaign page that saw battle lines drawn.
The shine was taken off the July 23 show when people complained about the £5 entry charge. The row escalated with the setting up of Mr Sievwright’s Facebook page, which generated a number of comments but drew criticism from people who said their messages supporting the event had been removed.
In response, a Support The Arbroath Seafront Spectacular page was set up.
The tit-for-tat enraged Angus provost Ruth Leslie Melville, who labelled criticism of the small organising committee “shameful”.
The criticism became too much for the organisers of the show and they decided to pull the plug.
Ann Birse, Jean Stewart, Howard Cargill and Wilson Robson released a brief statement, in which they said: “In view of the recent disparaging and somewhat libellous comments that have appeared on social networking sites and in the local press, we have had enough.
“We have decided to call it a day and we will not be producing any further events.”
Mr Sievwright has now decided to delete his Facebook page in the wake of the controversial episode. In a statement on his page, he says: “I have decided to delete the page and it is scheduled to be deleted within 14 days.
“No apology for starting the page will come with this because I back starting the page 100%, what I don’t agree with is councillors getting involved and the comments they made in the papers on a misinformed basis.”
Continued…
Mr Sievwright accused people of making assumptions as to what was being said rather than reading the facts. He said he was speaking out for the community by asking if there was something that could be done about the price.
Mr Sievwright later said he did not feel the page needs to be deleted but “pressure from people has sort of forced it to be.”
On Mr Sievwright’s decision to pull the page, Arbroath councillor Jim Millar said: “I very much welcome the news that Shaun Sievwright, who started the Against Seafront Spectacular campaign, has announced he intends to delete his site.
“It is deeply regrettable that a number of people called the honesty and integrity of the hardworking committee of Arbroath Events into question, in one specific case using appalling language and abuse.
“The fact is that there was never any need for this. Anyone who felt that they could help at the event, or wished to comment, had been invited to contact the organisers via the programme and the local press.
“It’s a real shame that this campaign was launched, instead of seeking to engage with the organisers in a positive and constructive way.
“The result of this campaign is that Arbroath Events have now decided that they will no longer run the event, and I can’t blame them after some of the appalling and unfounded statements that have been made by some people.
“The result is that the town has lost an event that allowed up and coming talent to showcase their skills, gave local people a day of fantastic entertainment on their own doorstep, boosted the economy and raised thousands of pounds for charities and organisations.
“Arbroath Events continues to enjoy the support and gratitude of the vast majority of people, and I very much hope that they will reconsider their decision and bring back the Seafront Spectacular.”
This year’s Spectacular boasted acts such as motorbike stunt shows, helicopter rides and an aerobatic display and cost around £51,000 to stage, with £15,000 of that going on the acts.
For the last eight years the show has packed the crowds into Victoria Park for a day-long presentation of entertainments, stalls, vehicles, sideshows and displays. The show has also generated cash that has been disbursed to local charities.
Mr Sievwright accused people of making assumptions as to what was being said rather than reading the facts. He said he was speaking out for the community by asking if there was something that could be done about the price.
Mr Sievwright later said he did not feel the page needs to be deleted but “pressure from people has sort of forced it to be.”
On Mr Sievwright’s decision to pull the page, Arbroath councillor Jim Millar said: “I very much welcome the news that Shaun Sievwright, who started the Against Seafront Spectacular campaign, has announced he intends to delete his site.
“It is deeply regrettable that a number of people called the honesty and integrity of the hardworking committee of Arbroath Events into question, in one specific case using appalling language and abuse.
“The fact is that there was never any need for this. Anyone who felt that they could help at the event, or wished to comment, had been invited to contact the organisers via the programme and the local press.
“It’s a real shame that this campaign was launched, instead of seeking to engage with the organisers in a positive and constructive way.
“The result of this campaign is that Arbroath Events have now decided that they will no longer run the event, and I can’t blame them after some of the appalling and unfounded statements that have been made by some people.
“The result is that the town has lost an event that allowed up and coming talent to showcase their skills, gave local people a day of fantastic entertainment on their own doorstep, boosted the economy and raised thousands of pounds for charities and organisations.
“Arbroath Events continues to enjoy the support and gratitude of the vast majority of people, and I very much hope that they will reconsider their decision and bring back the Seafront Spectacular.”
This year’s Spectacular boasted acts such as motorbike stunt shows, helicopter rides and an aerobatic display and cost around £51,000 to stage, with £15,000 of that going on the acts.
For the last eight years the show has packed the crowds into Victoria Park for a day-long presentation of entertainments, stalls, vehicles, sideshows and displays. The show has also generated cash that has been disbursed to local charities.