Market Drayton medieval fair faces axe over lack of funding

Organisers of the third Market Drayton medieval damson fair say they could be forced to pull the plug because of a lack of financial help.

The free fair attracted up to 9,000 people in its first year and replaced the town's carnival, which was cancelled following the 2012 event.

Mark Whittle, chairman of the Market Drayton Chamber of Trade and Commerce which organises the event, said he would be disappointed not to see it go ahead.

"Without backing we can't run it," he said. "This is the time I would usually go around booking all the acts.

"I can get certain backing from the locals but not enough. We can't really charge people for coming into their own town.

"It needs £3,000 to get going and the cost to run it altogether is £4,500."

The event takes places in the centre of town and features entertainment all day, including various re-enactments, jousting, and maypole dancing. In previous years it has received financial support from Market Drayton Town Council and local businesses.

Mr Whittle said: "I think there will be a lot of furious people around.

"Obviously we lost the carnival and this was the only thing we can give the townspeople. There is nothing else in the town centre on a scale of this size.

"It is an all-round day for the people who come into the town and relax.

"The first one attracted about 8,000 to 9,000 people. The second one there was less than half of that because we had to shut it down early."

Market Drayton Mayor Councillor Roy Aldcoft said: "We are very keen to promote local events and I have said to Mark if he would like to formally make a request of funding to the town council we would look at it."