Michaelmas Fair future under question
A review of the annual fair has taken place following complaints of excessive noise and anti-social behaviour
THE FUTURE of one of Newbury's most popular and long-standing traditions, the Michaelmas Fair, is under question again following repeated reports of trouble.
A review of the annual October fair, which has origins in the 17th century and draws thousands of people, has taken place following complaints lodged by nearby residents and police relating to excessive noise and anti-social behaviour.
A debriefing of the event took place earlier in the year between the event organisers, West Berkshire Council's parks department, which is in charge of Northcroft and Goldwell parks where the fair has been situated for more than 70 years, and local councillors.
Despite improvements in recent years, councillors feel more needs to be done in terms of tightening security and reducing noise and anti-social behaviour.
More drastic action is under consideration, with moving it to another location or even stopping it altogether considered possibilities.
Last year district councillor Tony Vickers (Lib Dem, Northcroft) said he received complaints of people “urinating and even defecating in people's gardens”, as well as reports of illegal parking outside local residents' homes, drunkenness and noise.
The decision will be made tomorrow (Thursday) by the West Berkshire Council executive member for public protection, and culture and leisure, Hilary Cole (Con, Chieveley).
Of the various fairs granted of Newbury by royal decree over the centuries, none survives today. The Michaelmas Fair however, which grew in popularity to dominate the local entertainment calendar, is reported to have its origins in a 17th century civic ordinance rather than a royal grant.
The fairs of 200 years ago and earlier had a serious business function in providing a trading centre for goods and services, making it the Job Centre of West Berkshire until the hiring procedure was abolished in 1898.
Unsuccessful attempts to take it from the streets date back to 1918 when a gaggle of local government electors converged to move it from its location on the town centre.
In 1945 it was decided that the town centre could no longer accommodate the sprawling, colourful four-day disruption, and it was moved out to Northcroft where it has taken place ever since.
