Soapbox derby is victim of its own success (From Daily Echo)

Hamble Week soapbox run cancelled

9:30am Tuesday 22nd March 2011 in News Exclusive By Simon Carr, Eastleigh Chief Reporter

ACTION PACKED: Hamble’s Soapbox Derby is a hugely popular event.

ONE of the most colourful events of the Hampshire calendar has been scrapped due to safety fears, the Daily Echo can reveal.

The soapbox derby has been a highlight of Hamble Week for 15 years but has now had to be shelved.

In a vehicle somewhere between a cart and a raft, teams from the village have enjoyed racing through winding village streets that are transformed into a grand prix circuit for one afternoon a year.

However, the popular event had started to attract thousands and with it a few troublemakers.

About 3,000 revellers attended last year, some throwing water balloons, hurling plastic bottles and running onto the course.

Now organisers say the event cannot go on in its current form and, following problems with insurance, the event on June 29, has now been scrapped.

Hamble Week chairman Theresa Maple said: “It has grown beyond our control and last year raised several areas of concern. It was no longer a village event – it had become an accident waiting to happen.

“We live in an age concerned with health and safety and litigation, what groups got away with ten years ago they can’t now. We are not cancelling it to be mean. We know people are disappointed but the event has changed and time and money are against us.”

The soapbox derby, which it is hoped will be reinstated next year, originated at the King and Queen pub.

Landlady Janet Bradley said: “I would like to see it saved it is a shame we can’t control the number of people who attend.

“It is a shame it is its success that is causing the problem.

“I would like to work with other pubs and see if we could do something that would be for the village not for the whole of Hampshire.”

The Bugle manager Antony Robertson said it was a wasted opportunity.

He said: “It seems so silly to cancel an event because it is too successful. It is great for businesses in the area, pulls people into Hamble and is good for tourism. It is a popular, fun event that pulls together all the local villages. I would love to see it saved.”

More volunteers and sponsorship are needed to rescue the soapbox derby for next year.

The group needs to arrange railings that revellers cannot move, hay bales on the course and more marshals to control the crowds.

The Daily Echo understands three participants last year complained to organisers about being hit with missiles thrown by onlookers.

To get involved in Hamble Week call Theresa on 07815 846880.