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Councillors back bid to relocate fun fair
Friday 19th September 2008, 11:49AM BST.
Councillors have backed a bid to move a controversial fun fair off a Shropshire town’s street after violence flared during this year’s event.Despite Shifnal town councillors voicing their support for the fair, a majority did not want it to return to Broadway next year.
At last night’s meeting they followed a motion by eight votes to three that the fun fair should be retained, but operator, Anthony Harris, should negotiate another site.
The result will now be sent to the county council for it to decide what happens next, but it has already indicated it does not want the fun fair on the street.
Police have already told the town council they would oppose any application for the fair to go on Broadway.
One possible location suggested by councillors was for the fun fair to go on the car park near the village hall.
The Pat Collins Fun Fair has been in Shifnal for more than 40 years, running alongside the carnival.
An amendment by Councillor Stuart West for no change to the fun fair this year, but that an alternative site be found for the larger rides, was defeated.
Mayor Gerald Nickless favoured keeping the fun fair on the street and felt the whole situation had been “blown out of proportion”.
He said they needed to listen to people and referred to a town plan questionnaire, which saw 698 votes for the fun fair to be on the street and 286 for it to be relocated.
But Councillor Jennifer Hurlstone said it was the fair which seemed to attract the problems and told the council how she had heard people talking about about how they came to the fun fair to fight.
She said: “By allowing the fair come back on the street we are encouraging anti-social behaviour.”
Councillor Tom Jones said councillors could not stand by and allow a repeat of this year’s trouble – which saw eight men burst into a Broadway home and brawl in the lounge.
By Lisa Rowley
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Well done, get sex and violence off the streets and back in the local pub where it belongs!
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I LIKE YOUR THINKING LUCY
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How would moving the fair stop the violence???
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Shifnal: Well if you dont like violence – dont go. But if its in a field somewhere then it wont bother residents.
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i wonder if some ancient charter allows the fair to have a street fair like ludlow’s ancient may day fair
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The carnival is just an excuse. Shifnal is a dump these days… full of youths with nothing to do and adults who aren’t much better (last time I was there, 40 year old women were fighting in the high street! charming eh). it was a quaint town just a few years ago where you could have a nice meal and quiet night out.
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Deano: your comment was a bit ageist and sexist for these modern times. Would it be ok if they were 18 year old boys?
As someone approaching their 40′s, will I not have the right to use physical force to defend myself, protect my property or prevent a crime when reach that mile stone of live?
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Ive lived in shifnal for 19 years, all my life. Yes it has gone downhill slightly, due to the fact that there is nothing to do for children. These ‘youths’ are i agree annoying and sometimes threatening but there is nothing else for them to do if they want to get out of the house! Shifnal is NOT a dump, if you go anywhere late at night when the pubs are closing then im sure you will sadly see fighting, it is very stereotypical that you class Shifnal as a dump due to one visit.
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TS: Why don’t those kids go for nice walks in all the lovel coutryside around Shifnal. And they could pick up all the rubbish dumped in Nanny Murphy’s Lane while they’re at it – there’s loads for kids to do, thats no excuse.
Perhaps you could join your local Young Farmers Club and get involved with raising money for other charities as the YFC do?
Honestly, the kids today – (tut!)
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I used to live is shifnal. it was a nice town. it now isn’t, simple. Not sexist at all Lucy, I expect women at that age to lead by example. Same goes for men, but when women do it, it sticks in your mind more.
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i live in milton keynes and have taken my now 12 years old granddaughter to the carnival/funfair for the last 3 years.i have yet to see anything of this so called violence.don`t deprive the majority of a great day out.maybe the police could do what their paid to do.
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You have a very sheltered upbringing then Deano
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maybe its just a sign of modern times.
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Lucy, just to let you know i do raise money for local charities and i walk in the countryside and when i say there is nothing to do i ment for under 18 year olds. Now the squash club is gone there is no ‘youth club’ for youngsters to meet inside (off the streets), so most feel to meet up with friends it needs to be outside, which i agree can sometimes appear threatening and loutish. If you can create a scheme for the local youths to clean up Nanny Murphys lane and enjoy it (without it being community service)i will take my hat off to you….
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TS: Glad to hear that you enjoy your local environment, but surely under 18s can do the same as you?
Why do the Youths need someone to organise them to clean up a lane? Can’t they organise themselves?
At 16 I was working full-time, my father at 14. Come on, what has the youth of today become?
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Lucy you seem like a very clever lady, however it is height of ignorance to be so stereotypical. With statements as above. I was working part time at 13 and now i work full time. However when you were 16 (honestly) did you really think of going out with your friends to pick up rubbish for fun? Also Nanny Murphys lane is not really the safest place for young teenagers to be hanging round, especially as the nights are getting darker by the time they finish school. I just think it would be a good idea to set up a club or social group for teenagers after school….
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TS: Nanny Murphy’s Lane not safe??????????
At 16 I may not have actually picked up litter but was very active in charitable activity with Young Farmers.
Great idea set up a club, but surley you can manage that yourselves? – I mean you’re old enough to die for your country, take a bit of responsibility for your own life rather than expect everyone else to organise you and say hello to the real world.
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Ok, if you dont believe me go down there when its dark and notice how many cars are parked up at the side of the road? i can promise you there not just watching for wildlife? You seem to have led a very sheltered life. If you can get one teenager who would actually enjoy and want to pick up litter to pass the time of day with their friends then i would be very shocked. Just because they have nothing to do, resorting to telling them that they must pick up litter in thier spare time is not a good idea. I think you may need to say hello to the real world and realise that life is not as ‘rosey’ as it sounds it was in your day. People are to ready to complain about youths on the streets but its so easy to just say they should go somewhere else, out of sight out of mind? And no, to be honest, teenagers cannot create a new youth club for Shifnal, there have been petitions and suggestions for this to the council by teenagers and local residents (who would need to give permission and designate a building etc)but these have all been dismissed.I dont believe it is me that needs to wake up to the real world..
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TS: Dont think I ever suggested go litter picking in the dark – you might miss some.
I mereley suggested that the youths make their own entertainment.
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