An ancient fair running since 1189 has been cancelled for the first time in living memory as organisers blame ‘onerous’ health and safety rules, expensive rides and a lack of volunteers.
The St Edmund’s Day celebration has been held in the historic town square of Petworth, West Sussex, on November 20 since the 12th century uninterrupted by World Wars and the Covid pandemic.
But this week it was announced it will not take place amid concerns about funding and volunteering after just four people had to organise last year’s event.
Organisers said Chichester District Council enforced the need for public liability insurance with questions over who is responsible if someone were to get injured on a ride.
Prof Mike Mulcahy, chair of both The Petworth Society and the fair’s organising committee, said costs had also rocketed.
As well as poor levels of assistance, other issues include ride companies asking for up front payments rather than relying on revenue from the day.
‘For the people of Petworth – it’s their fair. They are quite jealous about losing it.’
His wife, Eleanor Mulcahy runs the social media channel for the Petworth society and last week posed the question of locals ‘Does Petworth want St. Edmunds Day Fair’.
In the post, she said: ‘Perhaps the fair can survive in a different shape, after all, it began as a horse and sheep fair over 800 years ago and has slowly changed to become the event as we know it today.
‘However, with that change has come greater responsibility for the organisers. Health and safety requirements are onerous and with less than a handful of volunteers it has become impossible to manage.
‘There is no doubt that the fair is popular but without greater local support it cannot possibly continue.
‘In order for it to continue in future years then we need Petworth residents to step up and get involved.’
Prof Mulcahy said the nearby National Trust owned Petworth House are putting on a Christmas market, which draws people in from miles around.
‘But locals don’t feel that’s for them,’ he said. ‘There is that “this is our fair” feeling, but how can we take it forward?’
He revealed just four people were on the St Edmunds Day Fair Organising Committee last year.
He said the group had received ‘quite a bit of flack’ for their decision.
‘I understand that, but unless people we will volunteer to do this, that, or the other, and take the weight off the organising committee.’
He admitted the group needed a daunting £6,000-£7,000 to make the fair’s running feasible.
‘I think the interest is there,’ he continued, ‘I think it’s just down to expense. It has become very expensive for young families.
‘A family with two children, with rides £4 or £5 each. Just before Christmas, it’s a hell of a lot of money. I think we just have to look at a cleverer way.’
As part of their measures, the organisers have looked at not having the likes of the retro and ‘well loved’ South Down Gallopers carousel which would be missed ‘without a doubt’.
For the first time ever, the organisers of the ride asked for up front payment due to increased costs their end in needing to get labourers in to set it up for the one-day event.
‘We have to accept we may not have the traditional carousel,’ he said of the fair moving forward.
Prof Mulcahy, who has lived in the high street of the town since 1975, spoke fondly of the fair which had stalls put out during World War II and even continued during the Covid lockdown.
‘We got used to the festival,’ he said. ‘People want things to stay the same, they don’t want change.
‘And people are commenting online saying ‘I can remember coming on the carousel’. People were willing to do do it back then but now people don’t want to.’
The town’s busy November busy schedule has also been a contributing factor to its cancellation, he said.
Miles Costello said: ‘[The fair] can easily be restarted next year if enough people come forward to help. It really is as simple as that I’m afraid.’
Claire Kite, threw her hat in the ring to help, saying: ‘It is clear that most Petworth people, especially those like me who grew up with the fair being a big event every year, are desperate for it to continue.
‘If we want it to continue, we, the community who want it to continue, must become part of the team.
‘We all have busy lives, but there is always time to spare to put to something so important
‘I really believe that if a town has an 800 year tradition, it is ludicrous to just let it slip away and pile time and money into new events.
‘History is such a massive part of our town. Hopefully all can work together and not just expect it to magically happen.’
Responding to the news, Davina McColl wrote: ‘I’m absolutely gutted reading this. Why wasn’t this raised after last year’s fair night?
‘Instead we are being told a month and half before that there will be no fair. No-one wants an exhibition. The gallopers should never have been moved from their traditional spot.’
Diana Tottman added: ‘Thats disgraceful, thought once it missed a year then it was over? Too many people poking there oar in to an age old tradition.’
The forum will be held on November 16 at Leconfield Hall, where residents are being encouraged to drop in, make suggestions and volunteer to help next year.
Prof Mulcahy added: ‘The whole point of this is it’s your fair – how do you want it to carry on in the future?’