Memorandum by Mr George Scarrott (TF 46)
I have been in the fair ground business all
my life, which we do not regard as a business, but more a way
of life. I am at least the fourth generation to carry on. We are
a small family fun fair visiting small market towns and villages
in Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire areas.
In the last 12 to 15 years we have lost 20 per
cent of our sites that we have been visiting for many years. People
and authorities are always disappointed that we do not visit but
there is nowhere left suitable to operate because of development.
Our hardship, as I believe is experienced by most small businesses,
is rising costs by practically everything—compared with
income. You can only charge family people so much before it becomes
too expensive.
My opinion is the travelling fairs are still
an important part of the English tradition and all that we need
is one space in any town or village to carry this on. I have no
doubt that our fair is valued and looked forward to, and enjoyed
by the young and old wherever we go. I have enclosed letters from
Councils and Authorities stating just that.
I hope this letter can in some small way help
in this discussion.
George Scarrott
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