By BRIDGET SCOTT
ORGANISERS of the annual Riding of the Bounds have one foot out of the stirrup as the future of this year’s event is uncertain.
To mark the 25th anniversary of the occasion, members from the event are determined to have High Street in Berwick closed off for the sake of honouring history, but officers from the City of Casey have their concerns.
One of the events organisers Gayle Joyce said the council and the committee for the event have reached a “staltemate” as to what will happen.
Mrs Joyce said in previous years, the event would usually be over and done with by this stage of the year and she feared it may not go ahead.
“It looks like it won’t go ahead this year,” Mrs Joyce said.
“It usually happens in autumn and we are now in winter.”
“It’s too wet in spring, and going through neighbouring properties can be a problem with 200 odd horses.”
Deputy Mayor of the City of Casey and Riding of the Bounds committee member Amanda Stapledon said she agreed riding up High Street would be a great way to honour the anniversary, but safety must be forefront.
“I think it’s a fantastic idea,” she said.
“But we need to know we can do this safely.”
Cr Stapledon said a compromise put forward by the council was not accepted and discussions are still underway.
“We need to find a way we can celebrate in style but keep it safe,” she said.
“We have a meeting coming up and it’s important we talk about what we can do.”
Janette Green, City of Casey Manager for Community Strengthening, said a date is still to be determined following more discussion.
Council officers have also had outside consultants come in to assess the risks associated with closing High Street.
Mrs Joyce said in recent years, High Street has not been shut off but the equestrian community and participants hoped it could be for the 25th year.
She said it would be sad if the event didn’t take place this year.
“It would be a pity because taking the ride as it was originally is a lovely way of letting the community know there are still a lot of riders in region,” she said.
“(It’s) saying yes we appreciate you in our community and what to do something for you.”
