by CAROL-ANN TUDOR

REGISTRATION for the Bajan Crafts Village at Crop-Over's Bridgetown Market was brought to an abrupt halt yesterday evening at Frank Collymore Hall after tempers flared.

Controversy arose because of a fence erected on the pasture next to Courts Warehouse on Spring Garden Highway.

This area is normally utilised by craftspeople for the festival and they feel the fence will be a disadvantage to them.

One craftsperson said it was unfair for them to be paying $250 for a stall space, fenced away from the usual "impulse buyers", while the squatters would most likely hang their wares on this same fence for free.

Earlier during the day at a symposium held for the craftsmen, chief executive officer of the National Cultural Foundation (NCF), Ian Estwick, gave the assurance that he would do everything in his power to have the "front of the fence removed".

However, some stood their ground saying they were "not paying a cent until the fence was down".

One angry vendor snatched registration forms and tore them up, causing the NCF workers to cease operations immediately.

Cultural officer special projects Ashanti Trotman apologised for the discontinued proceedings and told the disgruntled gathering registration would resume today from 9 a.m. at the NCF.

Security

NCF marketing officer Carol Roberts said last night the fence was erected as part of security for the Cricket World Cup.

"We will never condone disrespect to the NCF or the exhibition of bad behaviour. Displays of bad behaviour are untenable and are not an option," she said.

"As usual, the NCF will seek to have the matter amicably addressed sin a timely manner so that the craft vendors can ply their trade at Bridgetown Market as they traditionally do."