Blenheim Palace held its jousting tournament on Saturday and concerns were raised over large crowds gathering for the event.

Scenes of the Woodstock gardens packed with people shocked some passers-by who said people behaved like they were at Bournemouth beach.

This concerns came less than 24 hours after Oxfordshire recorded up to 13 cases of the Indian Covid variant.

A message on Blenheim Palace’s website detailed current restrictions around the event: “To keep everyone safe during the day, you will be allocated either a red or blue ticket based on your arrival time which will be issued on the day of arrival.

“This ticket will give you access to the jousting arena, enabling you to see one full show which will need to be presented on arrival at the jousting arena on the day.”

The jousting tournament continued for the bank holiday weekend and many people took to Facebook to respond to the concerns to say its was ‘brilliantly managed’ and even posted snaps of the day.

However, others disagreed and commented that it was too busy.

This is what our readers had to say about the Blenheim jousting crowds at the weekend.

Katie Palmer: “Its no different to Cutteslowe park at the weekend (for example).

“If you do not want to be part of the crowd, then stay away.”

Read also: 'Enormous cheer' as Oxford Playhouse opens for first live show of 2021

Jo Vukoman: “Have spent the afternoon there with my family.

“It was brilliantly managed. We were all socially distanced at the jousting arena.

“That picture from a distance looks like people are closer than they are.

“We had a great time.”

Sonya Zyssemilch: “All in marked out boxes, socially distanced.

“We had a fabulous day.”

Lizzie Lee: “I’ve just got back. Yes there were lots of people around, but there were boxes marked on the floor so you had your own space.

“The staff were ensuring people had tickets to enter the arena.

“I was further away from other people than I am at the supermarket.”

She added: “Funny how the ‘by-standers’ are making a fuss.

“Those who commented were jealous because they did not get to book official entry to get into the arena.

“Granted from a distance it looked crowded, but close up you had your own space.”

Sharron Godfrey: “I was there today too, it was very well organised, there were even squares marked out on the grass.

“Social distancing was not a problem, everyone was well spaced out.”

Tom Green: “You mean the Bournemouth beach that was never directly linked to any Covid outbreaks, and where the newspapers used photos that were taken from angles that made it look more packed than it really was?”

Mark Rogers: “I’ve been to Bournemouth beach and loved it.

“Why the negativity about Bournemouth beach.”

David Wood: “I see this as well, why I was right in the middle of it, disgusting. It was like Bournemouth beach but without the sand and the sea and snippets of random bare flesh.”

Paul Timmis: “How does one behave at Bournemouth beach?”

Sonia Pandora: “We were there but we kept our distance.”

Measures are still in place to limit the spread of Covid-19 in the country and people are still urged to remain cautious and remember some people are more vulnerable to the virus than others.

England entered into stage three of the government’s roadmap on May 17, allowing for pubs and restaurants to reopen indoors, and groups of six people or two households to mix indoors. Current Government restrictions say that up to 30 people can gather outdoor in England. Step four which will take place no earlier than June 21, will see the government remove all legal limits on social contact.

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