Memorandum by the World's Fair Limited
(TF 24)
1. THE CONTINUED
VALUE OF
HISTORIC TRAVELLING
FAIRS
The recent millenium funfair on the Mall in
London was a great advertisement for what the fairground industry
has to offer and attracted nearly two million visitors in four
days. It demonstrated that the appeal of such entertainment is
widespread and enjoyed by many different age and social groups.
The organisers, Big Time Events, were most professional.
The highlighted quote in Appendix A* illustrates
that by the fair occupying the large crowds in London at the time,
public order offences were substantially reduced. Many of the
events that took place to celebrate the millennium, and indeed
those that are held for any other large scale celebrations, often
cost local authorities money. Funfairs actually earn local authorities
income in the form of rent. The article that constitutes Appendix
B* demonstrates how such events can be embraced by local authorities.
While some individuals may still hold a jaded
image of fair, it has to be understood that the people behind
them can only invest in new attractions and facilities if they
are earning the money to pay for it. As a result, it is only natural
that high profile events such as those mentioned will attract
the best equipment.
2. THE PROVISION
OF SITES
FOR TRAVELLING
FAIRS
Obviously not all events share the kudos of
that on the Mall. At one time a large proportion of fairs were
held in prime town centre locations and have, as those town centres
expanded, been forced to the outskirts of town. In the centre
of town, everyone can get to the fair, if it is in one corner
of the town, then it is only easily accessible to the local population.
A bus journey across town will inevitably discourage some from
attending. It would obviously be easiest to get there by car,
depriving those without cars, usually low-income households, of
visiting the fair. To suggest that a site which is only used perhaps
once a year for a fair should be saved exclusively for that use
when it could be sold to a developer would be unrealistic. However,
fairs are an accessible form of entertainment for many people,
particularly the young who often "hang about" on the
street. Perhaps more thought should be put into the siting of
fairs by some local authorities. Appendix C* gives a brief overview
of fairs and their heritage.
One of the busiest fairs in the world, is that
at the Munich Oktoberfest in Germany. The site for this event
is huge, and is preserved for the fair's use. The same is the
case in several other German towns and cities and often the facilities
provided are very good (see point 3).
3. THE PARTICULAR
NEEDS OF
TRAVELLING SHOWPEOPLE
IN CARRYING
OUT THEIR
TRADE
Showpeople are largely self-sufficient and travel
their own living accommodation, livelihood (the rides and attractions)
from town to town. They also supply their own power for the rides
and their own living quarters via the use of generators. Perhaps
the only resource they will need to make use of when arriving
at a place is a water supply.
To refer to my first hand experience of the
continental fairground industry, I have observed that fairground
sites often have power supplies, water and many other facilities
exclusively for the showpeople's use. It seems only reasonable
when showpeople pay to use the site. One would not expect to pay
rates in a house without receiving any services in return. Although
special consideration is made to the local environment as regards
noise pollution etc, many town and city centres fairs in this
country still require generators (albeit "silent" ones).
4&5. THE
EFFECTIVENESS OF
EXISTING PLANNING
GUIDANCE ON
THE PROVISION
OF QUARTERS
FOR TRAVELLING
SHOWPEOPLE
Whether any action is needed to ensure that appropriate
regard is had to the needs of travelling showpeople within the
planning system
Although local authorities have an obligation
to provide sites for travelling showpeople, some are clearly not
fully aware of them or wish not to comply (see highlighted section
of Appendix D*). Again, land can often be at a premium, but the
current provision of winter quarters is not adequate as I have
on several occasions witnessed "overflowing" sites with
loads being parked on the street outside.
There have been some positive cases recently
(see Appendix D*) in the granting of new sites. However, to turn
a piece of land into a showmen's yard requires a lot less work
than building a new housing estate, so the amount of effort required
in obtaining planning permission for use as a yard seems unjustified.
*Evidence not printed. All appendices are sourced
from the World's Fair newspaper.
Owen Ralph
Journalist, World's Fair
February 2000
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