Its site in a field near Maugersbury Road, is being sold to developers, who plan to build a new medical centre, five houses and a 300 space car park.Stow fair is a major event which attracts travellers from all over Britain looking for horses, equipment and, apparently, counterfeit merchandise. A spokesman for the Gypsy Council says he is confident the fair will continue:
“I think the important thing is to preserve the heritage and the history.
Surely there will be other farmers around the area who might want to collaborate and hold the fair in a different field.”I wouldn't hold your breath, mate!
The fair has drawn criticism in the past, after incidents of theft and vandalism, and a man was stabbed at the event, in May 2010.
Officers have worked to improve policing after some residents complained of nuisance, litter and traffic chaos.Once a general country fair, the event was gradually abandoned by everyone except the Gypsies, at which point it was moved out of the town. So why the need to change, all of a sudden? A few months ago, local press reported that the site's owners were 'looking to sell' and it appears they found themselves a good deal.
What makes this story interesting is that, while news reports don't mention the identity of the sellers who are moving the Gypsies on while they turn a handsome profit, back in February, a young visitor to the fair (who seems much taken with the 'designer clothes'; do you think someone should tell her that Messrs Dolce & Gabbana don't usually sell their wares from the back of a white van?) wrote that the fields in question are 'owned by a local Romany family'.
So much for heritage and 'community'; I wonder if they will find anyone else prepared to host the gathering.
"Messrs Dolce and Gabbana don't usually sell their wares from the back of a white van"
ReplyDeleteCrikey - I hope that doesn't apply to Rolex watches as well.
XX Officers have worked to improve policing after some residents complained of nuisance, litter and traffic chaos.XX
ReplyDeleteTHIS is who you need to improve the policeing of tinks; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J%C3%BCrgen_Stroop
a young visitor to the fair (who seems much taken with the 'designer clothes';
ReplyDeleteLOL. They walk past our door every day.
AKH, just make sure you don't buy them from Satpal Singh and Shahid Hussain, the traders charged separately with selling fake goods at the fair (and whose names add an interesting twist to the age-old stereotypes in this story).
ReplyDeleteFT, you are, as ever, very welcome in the Tavern; your reference rather less so.
JH, there seem to be dressed-up teenagers promenading everywhere these days, no small thanks to 'My Big Fat Gypsy etc' and 'TOWIE'; what's the point of spending time and money on your appearance if nobody can see you?
I wonder how much ground they cover in an outing - and, more to the point, how on Earth they manage it in those shoes.