Memorandum by the Showmen's Guild of Great
Britain, Northern Section (TF 06)
WINTER PARKING
SITES
We are fortunate in the North East as our section
have three winter sites, but some of our members in the past have
had problems trying to get planning permission as individuals.
Our members are hard working and law abiding citizens, who are
probably running the business their ancestors have handed down
to them, on many occasions spanning over five or six generations.
To own their own property is seldom, because of planning difficulties.
Hopefully your committee will look at our problems.
TRAVELLING FAIRGROUND
SITES
The problems in the North East are not getting
better, because of the closure of the coal mines in our area,
we have lost many Miners Welfare Sites. Indeed the biggest day
in the miner's calendar is Durham Miner's Gala, although this
is still held annually. There are no large rides allowed because
of the huge rent that is being asked. The Seaham area is difficult
to obtain land for a fair because of development.
One of our members lost his fair site at Washington,
Tyne and Wear, because his family had been dealing with Usworth
Council for 55 years, when the land was developed, they were allowed
another site at the Washington Galleries forming Washington Development
Corporation. This was fine until the land was taken over by a
private company called (Pensions Trust) then they stopped the
family from operating their fair on the site.
Another member has over a period of forty years
held an annual fair in Saltwell Park, Gateshead. Recently he was
refused permission from Gateshead Metropolitan Council because
it was not suitable. We later learnt that this was because there
was a mugging near the park that had nothing to do with the Fair,
but it was stopped from attending again.
The Showmen need help to obtain both winter
quarters and fun fair sites, we are self-employed people, supplying
entertainment to the public, with a very strict safety procedure
to go through, and are not funded in any way, nor do we want to
be.
This is our business and heritage, we don't
want hand outs, but we would like recognition for what we do,
and who we are.
I hope you can help our members, and thank you
for taking the time to read this letter.
John C Culine
February 2000
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