In an open letter to the community, Eric has confirmed the committee has no plans to move the games day to Taree Park.  Here is what Eric would like the community of the Manning Valley to know:

“It has come to the attention of the Bonnie Wingham Scottish Festival Committee that one of our members has publicly declared his personal ideas in relation to fenced public areas [Manning River Times May 14]. While the fencing of the Johnny Martin Oval in Taree is a new initiative, it is not considered to be relevant to the annual Bonnie Wingham Scottish Festival.

"The annual Bonnie Wingham Scottish Festival fair on Wingham Central Park attracts more than 5,000 people. The organizing committee has deliberately made entry to the fair free to all. This has been done to facilitate and encourage participation and access by the wider community.

"The proposal by one person to move the fair to Taree and charge entry fees is not authorized or endorsed by the organizing committee.

"This annual Festival is held in Wingham because of the strong heritage roots of Scottish pioneers in the area. People of Wingham and the Upper Manning have embraced and supported this Festival since its inception ten years ago. The Wingham and Upper Manning community have justifiably taken ‘ownership’ of this Festival. It belongs in Wingham and the Upper Manning.

"The Bonnie Wingham Scottish Festival attracts many visitors to the Manning Valley who bring with them their dollar input to our economy. As with other Festivals in our local government area, visitor spending impacts positively on the whole of our local government area.

"For the past ten years, the people of Wingham and the Upper Manning have chosen to celebrate and support the annual Bonnie Wingham Scottish Festival.  The community pride, involvement, and volunteer commitment to this event is not only special, it is also priceless.

"We have a rich heritage in the Manning Valley. Each area of the Manning has its own wonderful history.

"Be assured that all of the many Bonnie Wingham Scottish Festival events will be remaining in Wingham.”

Eric Richardson, chair, Bonnie Wingham Scottish Festival

To read the Manning River Times article referred to above  click here