I HAVE only recently obtained a copy of the Tavistock Times Gazette dated October 20 and was dismayed at your front page article regarding the annual Tavistock Goosey Fair. I have attended the fair every year since 1974 and always enjoyed the day out not only at the fair but also patronising some of the shops and businesses. On occasions I have brought relatives and friends who had enjoyed their day out and paid return visits for Goosey Fair. It was with utter disbelief that a small number of traders are complaining about the fair and demanding changes. On reading the article it would seem that these selfish and greedy persons are not from Tavistock or even Devon but have moved in from other areas of the country. Why should they dictate and try to change traditions that have been going in Tavistock for centuries? We are only talking about one week of the year and let?s face it does give local teenagers something different to do for a few days. What this minority of objectors forget is that the showmen who attend the fair are also in business, many were born and live in the county, pay taxes etc. A few years ago the fair was open in the town for two weeks but the showmen out of goodwill gave up one week and have co-operated with the local authority. I believe most people in the town are proud of their fair and it?s time these outsiders learnt to accept the traditions or they could choose to go back from where they came from. Martin Burridge 50 Gould Road Barnstaple
