THIS year’s Ruthin Festival was a triumph despite the police enforcing a partial booze ban.
The ‘Top of Town’ event went smoothingly well compared to previous years which saw bouts of drunken behaviour at the festival.
North Wales Police decided ahead of the event to enforce rules which classed St Peter’s Square, where the festival is held, as a “no drinking zone”.
But after a campaign launched by a group called ‘Save Ruthin Festival’ who claimed it would “kill” the festival, police moderated the alcohol ban.
Conwy and Denbighshire Rural District Inspector Gary Kelly said that he was delighted to report that there had been no incidents at this year’s Ruthin Festival.
“I am very pleased as quite clearly all the publicity had a positive affect and the feedback from the event has been very good,” said Inspector Kelly. “We did have officers on duty who seized some alcohol from individuals who tried to take in too much, but the message did get out there.
“Most people heeded our warnings about the amount of alcohol being brought onto the square,” he added.
The event which attracts thousands of people every year went ahead as usual with no anti-social behaviour.
“I am delighted that it was such a great success and I feel as if they had everything in place and everyone had been thoroughly briefed on what to do,” said Ruthin county councillor Bobby Feeley.
“They had extra PCSOs and the festival organisers had extra people to help and did everything they could do in their power,” she said.
John Hughes, who helped organise the ‘Save Ruthin Festival’ committee, is also very pleased with this years Ruthin Festival.
“Everything went so well, there was no trouble. We are very impressed,” said Mr Hughes.
“It wasn’t as busy as in previous years, but there were quite a few people. The weather wasn’t brilliant, but it stayed dry.”
The open-air concert provided six hours of music and dance which has taken place annually for the past 17 years as part of the week-long Ruthin Festival.
“It was a fantastic day. Families, grandparents and people from as far as Manchester came,” said county councillor Huw Hilditch-Roberts.
“It just shows how well the organisers worked and the residents of Ruthin proved they are responsible.
“All the fuss about the alcohol ban wasn’t needed. It was a very successful day,” he added.