Memorandum by John Biddall's Funfair (TF
10)
With reference to your advertisement in last
week's Showman's Worlds Fair newspaper, I am trying very hard
to keep the business running of travelling fairs that my great
grandfather started. I have photos taken in 1873 when my grandfather
was presenting performing dogs doing various tricks at the Agricultural
Hall in Islington.
In the early 1900s, our family was the pioneers
of the electric bioscope show, which was the start of silent movies.
Just after the war, my father started trading with modern equipment
in many of the major London parks. The last two years have been
utterly frustrating for me with councils, for no valid reason,
denying me and the families I represent from operating modern
and efficient funfair equipment, which is purely for family entertainment.
I would like just to pinpoint two recent problems,
which are extremely worrying. For the last 12 years, I have operated
my funfair on Islington Green. I insisted that the rental of just
over £2,000 was given to Mayors' charities. The fair has
been a wonderful success financially and has provided the families
I represent with a very good living. We also always employ at
least eight or none people from the local area on a temporary
basis. The fair has never been a problem, we have always closed
promptly at 10.30 pm and I have always been on site at all times
to make sure things were running smoothly.
A few weeks ago, due to the death of a Labour
Councillor, there was a by-election and the council is now Liberal.
The council had agreed that I go on site as usual for the period
of December 1999 and the first week in January 2000 but the new
council today have sent me a letter stating the fair can no longer
go to Islington Green but has to be placed at either Caledonian
Market or Highbury Fields. Both these sites I turned down a few
months ago because I know my business very well and to operate
at either of the other sites, which are not visible from the main
road, would be like fishing in an empty pond. So we now have a
situation where 90 people have been out of business over the Christmas
period and I must point out that whilst on site, each person spends
at least £10 a day in the local shops on food, etc. I think
it is very unfair to be turned down on a decision, which is only
political.
Also, we have operated in Bethnal Green since
1943 with no problems and I am being turned down for every site
I ask with no proper reason. Fairs are still bringing in the crowds
but if I have no sites, I am out of business. In today's world,
we now have lap dancing, strip clubs, massage parlours in every
town—why is there not room for genuine clean and above board
family entertainment?
John Biddall
February 2000
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