A REQUEST to consider using the Meadows in Tavistock for Goose Fair fun rides, instead of Bedford Car Park, last week got the thumbs down during a meeting in the town.

Members of Tavistock Town Council's properties committee heard that the town's chamber of commerce had made the request in a letter, for consideration during the planning of next year's fair.

Graham Skedgell, on behalf of the chamber, said: 'The chamber has, for some time, been concerned about the loss of public car parking spaces that occurs in the town, particularly in the period leading up to, and following, Goose Fair itself.

'This is primarily the case in relation to Bedford Car Park. The reduction of car parking space over that period is clearly detrimental to the business life of the town and of the town centre in particular.'

Mr Skedgell said in the last year, the Meadows had been used for a fair and a circus and the chamber would like to ask the council to consider moving at least some of the fairground rides and stalls into the park.

'This would mean that at least part, if not the whole of the Bedford Car park, would continue to be available for parking use,' said Mr Skedgell.

He said financially, the town council could gain income from use of the park, the borough council income from use of Bedford Car Park by shoppers and the town centre would function more normally.

'The chamber believes this could potentially be a win-win situation and would welcome the opportunity to discuss this further with you,' said Mr Skedgell.

Works superindent Wayne Southall said logistically, given the space, to move the fair in any way would destroy it.

Mr Southall said: 'You could put half in The Meadows and half in Bedford Car Park, but it just wouldn't work.'

Cllr David Whitcomb, deputy town mayor, said: 'We have a very good relationship with Mr Rowlands of the fair — I don't think he'd be very happy with this.'

Cllr John Sellis said: 'I don't think the police would be very happy either. And the grass doesn't grow in the winter. If we had a wet September and October, it would be a mess in there until June.'

Cllr Ted Sherrell said: 'Large parts of the fair used to be in the Meadows many years ago.

'I imagine if Wayne had gone there the day after, he would have had a nervous breakdown — it used to be cut to ribbons and take the rest of the year to recover.

'I think this is a total non-starter.'