Fury over Grand Dparty concert

FURIOUS concert-goers have hit out after getting wet on the grass at York's Grand Departy - while covered stands nearby remained empty.

Several readers have contacted The Press to complain that last night's event at Huntington Stadium - intended by City of York Council to launch the city's Tour de France festivities - had been badly organised.

Lee Morgan said his parents, William and Cynthia Morgan of Clifton Moor, paid 29 each for seated undercover tickets so they would stay dry if it rained, but when they got there yesterday afternoon, they were surprised and disgusted to be given tickets stating '20 standing.'

He said: "When they said they had paid for seating undercover, they were told: "The council didn't get the licence in time to be able to use the main stand."

He said disabled ticketholders were 'herded' under gazebos to keep them dry, which he felt was an 'absolute joke.'

"Free drinks vouchers were given to people who had booked seating as a gesture of goodwill, however they couldn't be used as the council hadn't agreed it with the vendors and as such they wouldn't take them."

Janet Pearson, of Huntington, who paid almost 200 for tickets, including one for her son-in-law, a disabled Iraq war veteran, said she arrived at the stadium to be told there were no seated tickets.

"I wouldnt have bought tickets if I knew there wouldnt be seating," she said. "The thought of having to stand from 4.30pm to 10.30pm with three young children doesnt appeal to me. It just seems like an absolute farce."

Her daughter Julie Burridge said: Im absolutely disgusted. There will be a lot of cross people tonight. My husband has PTSD and a spinal injury and is not very good in crowds so we needed seating. We thought it would be brilliant because we could watch it from the seats and it would be okay. Everyone was soaked."

Beth Dale, of Clifton Moor, who can only walk short distances with the aid of sticks, said she spent 20 each on tickets for her and her husband Brian, who uses a motorised scooter.

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Fury over Grand Dparty concert