?APPALLING? weather conditions were blamed for a big loss sustained by the park and ride operation at this year?s Goose Fair, councillors in Tavistock were told last week. The system, which is manned by the town?s Lions Club, lost £6,394 ? one of the car parks had to be closed early on in the day, due to persistent rain which made driving conditions in Kaminski?s field impossible. Cllr Robin Pike told members of the town?s properties committee that a meeting was due to be held in February or March next year with the Showmans? Guild, the council?s works superintendent, who now had two Goose Fairs ?under his belt?, and other organisations involved in the fair. It was felt early planning was key to the success of the event, which made an overall net profit this year of £10,817. Cllr Ted Sherrell said: ?I would like to pay tribute to the excellent efforts of our staff regarding the fair. ?These are healthy figures but there is a bee that has buzzed in my bonnet for a decade about this ? we must watch we make a decent amount of money out of it for the ratepayers of the town.? Cllr Sherrell said rising costs had to be taken into consideration, including the ?shocking? cost of police cover on the day. ?All these costs are escalating all the time ? it?s important we forever keep the balance ? Goose Fair must always be kept under review,? said Cllr Sherrell. Cllr Caroline Keane also paid tribute to staff involved in the day ? and afterwards. ?It?s quite remarkable how they achieve the clean up,? she said. The committee agreed that a donation of £2,100 should be paid to the Lions Club for their manning of the park and ride scheme ? a similar sum to that paid last year. The decision was due to be ratified at the full meeting of the council on Tuesday evening.
