LGBTQ+ festival Overflo postponed over Queen’s death after Southwark Council withdraws permission: ‘We tried to fight’-Alicia Adejobi-Entertainment – Metro

Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral next week means authorities in London have been pulled away from other events (Picture: Getty)

Overflo Festival organisers have said they are ‘absolutely gutted’ to postpone this year’s event following the death of Queen Elizabeth II. 

The one-day outdoor festival was due to take place at London’s Burgess Park in Camberwell on Sunday, September 18 in celebration of Black and POC LGBTQ+ arts and culture. 

However, with the Queen’s funeral set to take place the following day, Southwark Council has made the decision to pull the event due to lack of resources. 

Buckingham Palace announced the Queen had died ‘peacefully’ aged 96 on September 8 at her Balmoral home. Following a vigil in Edinburgh, Her Majesty’s coffin is being transported to London today where it will lie in state in Westminster until the morning of her funeral. 

This means members of the London Ambulance Service, the Metropolitan Police and Environmental Health will not have the resources to fully support Overflo Festival this weekend. 

Announcing the news in a statement, the event organisers said: ‘Hey bbz, we are absolutely gutted to announce that due to the Queen’s passing a number of large scale outdoor events have been forcibly postponed. 

Overflo said they are working with Southwark Council to find another date to hold the event

Queen Elizabeth II died at her home in Balmoral on September 8 aged 96 (Picture: Getty Images)

‘We tried to fight it as much as possible but the powers that be have had the last word. 

‘Nonetheless, OVERFLO will be rescheduled so please be patient with us while we figure out a new date to dance. We will update you with details as soon as humanly possible.’ 

They continued: ‘In the meantime, for those who have already purchased your tickets, your ticket will remain valid for the festival’s rescheduled dates. 

‘We really appreciate your support and patience with this.’ 

The team went on to explain that they are ‘working closely’ with Southwark Council to find an ‘appropriate date’ to hold this year’s festival. 

Overflo was due to take place at London’s Burgess Park this Sunday celebrating Black and POC LBGTQ+ arts and culture (Picture: AFP via Getty Images)

The Queen has been lying in state in Edinburgh where thousands of mourners have paid their respects (Picture: Getty Images)

Police resources will be preoccupied with the Queen’s state funeral, including managing the crowds paying their respects (Picture: Rex Features)

‘We are devastated to not be able to move forward with the event,’ they stated. 

‘Both Southwark Council and ourselves have looked at every avenue to ensure the event can go ahead, however, for the reasons outlined below, Southwark Council will not permit them to at this time.’ 

It’s understood that Southwark Council are the landowners of Burgess Park and therefore have the control to cancel events for reasons of reputation and also for public safety. 

Overflo Festival is able to put their own health and safety teams in place but still need the support of the authorities, who will be preoccupied with events surrounding the Queen’s state funeral. 

Many other events have been impacted by the death of the monarch, with Hackney Carnival, BBC Radio 2 Live In Leeds and The Last Night of the Proms at the Royal Albert Hall among those cancelled in recent days. 

The Queen’s funeral service will take place on Monday from 11am, before she is laid to rest at King George VI Memorial Chapel in Windsor beside her late husband Prince Philip.

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