Reg Daldry, the former organiser of the Gloucester car boot sale at Hempsted Meadows, has spoken out against being unfairly labelled a “thug” by city councillors. The council recently defended its decision to involve police and increase security at a meeting, citing fears of a potential “people’s uprising” in response to the awarding of the site’s long-term lease.
At the cabinet meeting on June 11, Mr. Daldry questioned the managing director, Jon McGinty, about the security measures taken earlier this year when 40 people were informed that Mr. Daldry would be attending. Mr. Daldry asserted that the advance notice unfairly painted him as a criminal: “Every councillor and everybody in this room already knew to look upon me as a thug or a criminal because you told everybody I was attending.”
He emphasized his legitimate business relationship with Gloucester City Council and questioned why he was treated as a threat: “If you thought I was a threat, surely you would not have let me in the building.”
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Mr. McGinty explained that the heightened security was not a personal judgment against Mr. Daldry but a precaution based on intelligence regarding the possible attendance of a large number of supporters and social media messages suggesting the organisation of a mass protest. He shared excerpts from online discussions calling for a “people’s uprising” and efforts to “overwhelm the council” during the meeting.
“Based on this,” Mr. McGinty said, “I increased security personnel and informed police to ensure any public attendance remained peaceful.” He stressed that no specific intelligence linked Mr. Daldry or his family to any threat.
Council leader Jeremy Hilton confirmed that Mr. Daldry’s name appeared in a private council email but clarified that it did not include any defamatory remarks. “You weren’t being criticised in that email. It was shared with you improperly,” Mr. Hilton said.
Mr. Daldry expressed frustration over his name being publicised in this context, stating, “I’m not a threat. If I was, why am I sat in this space? It was very humiliating and frustrating.”
He also questioned the lease awarding process, concerned that the highest bid might lead to increased costs for vendors. Councillor Hilton explained the tender process was managed by Bruton Knowles, who recommended the successful applicant. “We chose the best and highest bidder to run a business from that site,” he said.
The dispute highlights ongoing tensions between former leaseholders and the city council’s management of the popular Hempsted Meadows site, set against the backdrop of community activism and concern over transparency.