A THREAT to withdraw the big rides from Tavistock's annual Goose Fair was last week averted during a meeting of the town council. Deputy mayor Cllr Robin Pike told members a meeting had been held recently with the Showmen's Guild, at which a proposed 4% rise in rents charged by the council to the funfair was discussed. Cllr Pike said: 'They did not accept it — in actual fact, they don't want a rise at all this year. 'The cost of diesel has gone up enormously. They do try to bring new rides down to the town, sometimes they come from as far away as Scotland, for just a day or a couple of days at the most.' Cllr Pike proposed the rents should stay at the same level last year. He said the council would still make a profit on Goose Fair, even if it did not put up the rents, and he was concerned that the non- appearance of the funfair was a serious likelihood if the council insisted on increasing the charges. Cllr Jane Ramsay said the council had made a 'very good profit' on Goose Fair last year and she was worried if it stuck to the 4% rent rise, the council could end up 'killing the goose that laid the golden egg'. Cllr Ramsay said: 'Goose Fair brings many people into the town — rising diesel costs are having an impact on all our lives. 'These people have to make a living and I would imagine they are being absolutely hammered by these fuel rises.' Cllr Mandy Govier said she had asked the Showmen's Guild whether the price of the funfair rides were being increased this year. 'They say they are not putting up the prices because they realise people's incomes are feeling the pinch and if they put the cost of rides up, people won't be able to afford to take part,' said Cllr Govier, who supported Cllr Pike's proposal. Cllr Jenny Metcalf said Goose Fair was 'an integral part of Tavistock' and the council should do all it could to see the funfair remaining part of the big event — particularly if the ride prices were not being raised by the showmen. Cllr Harry Smith, chairman of the council's finance committee, said he supported the proposal, but warned the council should meet early with the Showmen's Guild regarding Goose Fair 2009. The council agreed Cllr Pike's proposal — and that a meeting should be held with the funfair owners much earlier in the year to discuss costs for Goose Fair 2009.
