Thame fair cancelled!
On 08/09/2017 At 5:15 pm
Category : Missed a ThameNews story?, More News, Thame news
Responses : 11 Comments
THE Showmens Guild of Great Britain have informed the Town Council today, Friday September 8, that the town council’s invitation to enter into a new four year Agreement has been rejected by their members.
Nick White’s winning photograph of Thame Fair at night
In a statement, the Thame Town Council said: “The Town Council is disappointed to inform residents, businesses and visitors that the September Fair will therefore not be taking place this year.
“Over the past two years fees have not been increased by the Town Council, however with the operational costs rising to assist with event safety the modest increase of less than £1,000 is fully justified in meeting the operational costs incurred by the Town Council and equates to an increase per stall holder of just £4 per day of the fair.
“Associated road closures for the September Fair will be lifted within the town centre between Thursday 21 and Saturday 23 September 2017.
Add your comment
From what I understand the council charge the fair over £27,000 under the present agreement, which is twice as much as Abingdon fair and almost twice as much as Newbury, and they now want to increase this to around £30,000!
It seems to me that the Town Council are pricing the fair out of the town which is a shame as this will be yet another long traditional event which will disappear.
The fair is always attended by thousands of local people and the Town Council should be thinking of the history behind this event and the local community and residents before making such a decision.
Such a shame. Yet another traditional event gone from the calendar. Nice to see the “locals” who have probably lived here for five minutes celebrating the loss of a town tradition, enjoyed by many thousands of residents. A sad day, but I guess we are destined for many more with an increase in miserable old age moaners. Seriously, three days a year, and you’d think a nuclear bomb was dropped on the town. Glad I didn’t go to school with such miserable bar stewards.
Sad Days indeed; The loss of Thame Agricultral show and now the show fair; the slow erosion of all that a market town should be. What next? the Tuesday market?
I guess It’s a sign of the times, as Thame becomes another sterile dormitory town; a Pseudo County Town with it’s high price housing, restaurants, etc the list goes on.
What a disappointment ! No Thame fair, no Thame show. What next? These are traditions many people come back to Thame to visit families for Thame fair. Come on Thame council – reduce the fees and help this continue. The showmen do spend money in the shops and many have been coming for years .
we are very disappointed in the fact thame fair will not take place this has been a tradition for many years people return to thame for the fair who no longer live here ! the showmen also spend in the local shops
it may be inconviennt for people but it is only for 4 days once a year
we all know costs have increased on everything come on thame council keep the tradition of the fair alive we have lost thame show what next thame Tuesdaymarket and the cattlemarket it is not the same to go to witney Abingdon or Wallingford and please do not suggest moving it ot thame showground we have 2 very disappointed grandsons who were looking forward to the fair
I must appologies I have a problem with the caps lock on my computer
Perhaps it is time to bring back a more traditional fair – one that is organised by and fully benefits the community – similar to the recent live music day. Who wants or needs Alton Towers in the centre of Thame?
Tradition set years ago out of the window for the sake of £1000 pounds totally unbelievable.
Thame Council want almost £30,000 from the showmen who attend. They can’t afford to pay anymore! But the showmens guild have looked at What Thame council are spending and think savings can be made but the council officers won’t budge!
Great news we can reclaim our town. I bet the shops and pubs are over the moon. Good riddance
Sad Sad days £27 k is not enough ? what is the breakdown for the charges that another thousand is needed, it might only be another £1000 approx £4 but 27k already ??? Its one of the saddest days of my life – ive never known Thame without the fair each year :'(
A long overdue and welcome development – the disruption caused by the fair cannot be justified any longer. The refusal of the ‘showmen’ to pay a modest increase to cover the cost to the town is proof of their true motivation – profit at the expense of others. If the town has to be subjected to their attentions, let them use the show ground – and pay a realistic fee.