FAIRGROUND companies have called off their threat to stay away from next week's Tavistock Goose Fair.

At a meeting this week they voted to attend the famous event despite earlier threats of a boycott because of an increase in rent charges.

Angry showmen, who said enough was enough after another 6% rise this year, lost the majority vote at a special meeting of the Showmen's Guild on Friday attended by more than 40 fairground companies.

The companies took the unusual step of calling for a meeting because they claimed they were finding it hard to make a living at the event anymore, despite many having a long association with Tavistock Goose Fair.

Secretary of the guild Heather Clay said it was felt by the showmen that a decision not to go at this late stage would cause great disappointment among the public.

'It was so late by the time we got a decision on the rent charge from Tavistock Town Council so this had an effect on the vote,' she said. 'However, the showmen want to negotiate charges for 2004/2005.'

Both Tavistock Town Council and West Devon Borough Council agreed to charge the fairs a 6% increase this year to use town car parks and streets with the former proposing 18% over the next three years.

The authorities said additional expenses, including the police and emergency services and increased advertising and promotion charges, led to the increase.

Billy Whiteleg, of Jennings Fair, who voted for a boycott, said: 'We are quite happy to pay the rate of inflation because that is what the country is based on but 6% is a lot more than 2.5%.

'The councils forget that our expenses go up as well as theirs and we just cannot afford this sort of money.

'There is no way we can inflict this extra cost on the public because they would just not come to the fair.'

Mr Whiteleg said the showmen would not accept another increase of 6% next year.

Tavistock mayor Cllr Norma Woodcock said it was great news that the showmen had decided to come to Goose Fair.

'A lot of people visit the fair and it has got to be good for their business as well as good for the town,' she said.

'We have already compromised with the fairground companies and reduced the rent increase over the next three years from 20% to 18% so I am not sure the councillors would react favourably to another request for a reduction.'

l West Devon Borough Council will close its Bedford and Wharf Car Parks from midnight on Saturday for a week for fairground rides.

On Goose Fair day itself next Wednesday (October 8), the council's Russell Street, Chapel Street and Riverside Car Parks will also be closed and Abbey Car Park will be available for blue badge holders only. Tavistock Bus Station will be closed and given over to fairground rides.

All car parks except the Bedford and Wharf will reopen as normal on Thursday October 9.