The Laxfield Festival of Tolerance near Ipswich, Suffolk, was launched three years ago in a bid to help promote religious tolerance and understanding. But complaints that it has become a little too tolerant have now led to it being axed.
The festival has its origins in the wave of religious violence brought in by "Bloody" Queen Mary during the mid-16th century. John Noyes, a Laxfield shoemaker, was burnt to death on 22 September 1557, one of 34 executed in the county for his religious beliefs. Legend has it that almost all the villagers disagreed with his death sentence and tried to put out their fires to stop his execution.
The festival was started three years ago in a bid to remember the execution and spread the message of religious tolerance. Since then the festival - which includes historical re-enactments, artistic events, and music - has attracted thousands of visitors.
Now villagers say it's too much and they can no longer put up with the crowds and it is attracting the wrong kind of festival goer.
The festival has its origins in the wave of religious violence brought in by "Bloody" Queen Mary during the mid-16th century. John Noyes, a Laxfield shoemaker, was burnt to death on 22 September 1557, one of 34 executed in the county for his religious beliefs. Legend has it that almost all the villagers disagreed with his death sentence and tried to put out their fires to stop his execution.
The festival was started three years ago in a bid to remember the execution and spread the message of religious tolerance. Since then the festival - which includes historical re-enactments, artistic events, and music - has attracted thousands of visitors.
Now villagers say it's too much and they can no longer put up with the crowds and it is attracting the wrong kind of festival goer.
topics:
UK,
Google Current,
Festival,
Tolerance,
Intolerace
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- Simon_S
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- added August 06, 2008
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