YOUNGSTERS are threatening to boycott the Oxted Pram Race next year, after organisers "broke with tradition" and "removed all the fun".
Critics of the popular event, which this year was held for the first time on a Sunday afternoon rather than the traditional Friday night, say banning water balloons and threatening to confiscate items on the day was heavy handed.
The move to a Sunday has also been criticised. Traditionally the event has continued late into Friday evening, when revellers had no need to worry about work or college the following day.
One critic branded the decision "madness" and said the committee should "just cancel the race".
But organisers have hit back, saying they have simply made the event safer and more family-friendly.
Before the race, it was suggested that water bombs would be confiscated by stewards, and alleged that in the past people had filled them with tomato sauce, fairy liquid, and even stones.
Jenifer Comeau, 26 of Warren Lane in Hurst Green, whose partner's grandparents were the founders of the original pram race, said: "I don't see water balloons as a problem as long as they are not thrown in faces – they are just a bit of fun, as are the water pistols. Even I was squirted in the back, which in Sunday's heat was refreshing.
"We were really disappointed with this year as there wasn't an atmosphere or as many people participating like there usually is, which we found quite sad."
"I didn't know people were stopping water balloons being thrown, but I had noticed there were only a couple of people with them."
Terry Frances, 54, of Bluehouse Lane in Oxted, said he was annoyed at the changes.
He said: "There was nothing wrong with the pram race, so why change it? I know everyone needs to be safe, but banning water balloons? Is that really necessary?
"I have been going for years and I was open to giving it a go again this year, but I am not sure I will want to go next year."
Comments on Facebook also suggest there may be a backlash against the race next year.
Chris Baete posted on the Oxted Facebook page and said: "Seems a shame to ruin a tradition," while Toni Mercer said: "They might as well just cancel the race day change, pubs closing early and now a ban on the water bombs."
Poster Paul Smith added: "Just madness, everyone has lost a sense of fun in Oxted."
Despite the changes, around 3,000 people attended the event, with 25 prams running to pubs around the town and concluding at Master Park – and all present looked to have had a thoroughly enjoyable day.
One reveller from Hurst Green, who did not want to be named said: "I think it was better than last year – it has become much more of a family event. The last couple of years have been carnage."
Sue Wallace, from the organising committee, told the Mirror: "We know things have changed this year, but it is just to keep people as safe as possible.
"We want it to be more of a family event and it was. There were lots of children and their families in Master Park after the race enjoying the day and lots dotted along the race route."
Pram race committee member Nicola Roberts added: "They can't ban everyone fetching water bombs because some people don't even get seen by marshals and may have them in bags.
"What we have said is if you have water bombs please use them safely and be careful where you throw them. It is impossible to stop them."
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