A petition by Ludlow residents to keep the town’s May Fair in the same format has now been signed by hundreds of people.
Mayor Martin Taylor-Smith has assured people the fair is not under threat but still more than 200 people have signed a petition that was put in the town’s shops on Friday.
Cllr Taylor-Smith argues that he is legally bound to ensure the Town Council gets value for money for its subsidy to the event. There has also been a suggesting that some of the larger rides could be scaled down.
The petition found in most shops in Ludlow asks that the Fair be kept in its same format and not be down-sized.
It states: “We the undersigned request that Ludlow May Fair continue in the mood, manner and style as it has been for the last 40 years.”
Former mayor Rose Jones is heading the protest against changes to the Fair and she has described herself as “seriously worried” that the town would end up with an inferior entertainment.
The row has even moved to the internet there are more than 100 members of Facebook group called ‘Support Ludlow May Fair’ founded Rochelle Russell, who lives in Bristol, but used to live in Ludlow.
The Facebook group’s description reads: “Rumours are afoot that the town council is looking to changing the May Fair. Possibly less of the bigger rides?”
The Wynns have been running it successfully for at least 35 years but maybe someone else would be asked to do it, therefore a whole new contract would be drawn up.”
Now the town council has set up a special May Fair sub-committee and will decide on a specification for the tendering process.
The matter will be considered at a special meeting, open to the public, at the Ludlow Conference Centre (formerly the Bishop Mascall Centre) on Wednesday, August 5, at 6.30pm.
The Journal has been told, unofficially, that the Fair’s current operators David and Carol Wynn will be there.
