Michaelmas future is safe for now
West Berkshire Council has approved recommendations that will see the popular fair continue this year
THE future of Newbury's Michaelmas Fair is safe for the time being, after councillors responded to complaints that it was attracting anti-social behaviour.
A review of the annual fair, which has origins in the 17th century and draws thousands of visitors each year, was carried out by West Berkshire Council after nearby residents and police complained of excessive noise, loutish behaviour, and people urinating or even defecating in people's gardens.
Yesterday (Thursday), after discussing several options such as abandoning the fair altogether or relocating it, the council instead approved recommendations for additional stewards to be employed at the event next month.
Councillors also agreed to further review the effectiveness of these additional measures at a meeting with the event operators, the Showman's Guild, afterwards.
The executive member for public protection, culture and leisure, Hilary Cole (Con, Chieveley) said that, for this year at least, the event would continue to be held in Northcroft and Goldwell Parks.
She said: “We have worked with the police and the Showman's Guild to ensure there are extra stewards in place at the Michaelmas Fair at no cost to the public.
“The measures are to ensure that disruption and disturbance is kept to a minimum and I am as confident as I can be that we have addressed the issues that have been raised.”
Two additional stewards will be employed to help deal with excessive noise and anti-social behaviour at the fair, and CCTV camera surveillance will also be provided by the Showman's Guild at their expense.
Mrs Cole said the review session after this year's event would provide an opportunity to discuss the success of the measures, and that the council did not want to stop the fair altogether as it would upset traditionalists andwas very popular among local residents.
West Berkshire Council will also send a formal written response to the person who lodged a formal complaint outlining his concerns about the fair.
