The Michaelmas Fair has been in Newbury for 300+ years, but one man who moved into Northcroft Lane in 2008 has asked for the fair to be stopped or moved.

http://decisionmaking.westberks.gov.uk/mgConvert2PDF.aspx?ID=8867

There's been no increase in complaints, the police are fine with it, but WBC still wants to bully the organisers into coughing up more. That means more expensive fairground rides for everyone thanks to one man who moved into a posh flat 3 years ago. He'll be after shutting down the beer fest next, then the carnival. IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT....WHY MOVE THERE?

It's about time those of us who enjoy our town centre events to tell WBC to back off and follow their own environmental health procedures which only escalate to review when a large number of complaints come in.

Hmm, the unfortunately named Mr A Wyper.  I wonder what the A stands for.

The traditional location for the Michaelmas Fair was the Market Place - why not return it there?  Get away from the mud and liven up the town centre for a few days.  The Market could move to Northbrook Street for the Saturday.

Quoted from blackdog

The traditional location for the Michaelmas Fair was the Market Place - why not return it there?  Get away from the mud and liven up the town centre for a few days.  The Market could move to Northbrook Street for the Saturday.

That would be like kettling.

Are you saying that the Council shouldn't listen to a small but rather vocal group of residents who's opinions don't match those of the majority?

Quoted from user23.3

Are you saying that the Council shouldn't listen to a small but rather vocal group of residents who's opinions don't match those of the majority?

What like those that want to build a pigeon loft in Vicky Park?

Quoted from user23.3

Are you saying that the Council shouldn't listen to a small but rather vocal group of residents who's opinions don't match those of the majority?

User,

When we have established the National Transitional Council for West Berkshire, Cartergrad will be ringed by a majority of people who yearn for democracy, an end to corruption, and the freedom to choose their own architect.

Once we have the Supreme leader out of Cartergrad and pushed back over the Wiltshire border, you will see what the majority looks like. As we dance and celebrate, the timber-clad edifices of the regime will be demolished. The people will weep as their ears adjust from the sound of roadworks and construction to birdsong and friendly banter.

And take Mr Wyper with you!

Quoted from user23.3

Are you saying that the Council shouldn't listen to a small but rather vocal group of residents who's opinions don't match those of the majority?

No, I just think the fair would have more effect in the town, businesses around the Market Place would see an increase in trade and the whole town would be more alive for a few days.

Quoted from blackdog

No, I just think the fair would have more effect in the town, businesses around the Market Place would see an increase in trade and the whole town would be more alive for a few days.

Good idea. Only problem is where to have the firework display on the Friday night? Perhaps have the Fair in the wharf and have the firework display on a temporarily covered boating pond in Victoria Park?

Quoted from Cognosco

Good idea. Only problem is where to have the firework display on the Friday night? Perhaps have the Fair in the wharf and have the firework display on a temporarily covered boating pond in Victoria Park?

The Market place is quite a good idea but would it be big enough as the Michaelmas fair is normally quite large and one of the last in the showman's calendar and it has, in the past, been a bit of a social event for them as well. I'm not sure the showmen would want to give up Northcroft though as a move to any other venue might be seen as the thin end of the wedge to getting them out. My view on complaints from the Trencherwood estate is the same as Muddler's, the fair was there long before the estate was built, a little research before buying a property there would have provided that information and the fair is no different in real terms to how it has ever been. When I lived in West Street and before Strawberry Hill was opened, we didn't complain and often the street was closed for hours as they negotiated the artics and trailers around the corner by the Lion pub. I would go so far as to say it actually provided a bit of excitement wondering if once again, the canopy over the old Lion entrance would get knocked off.

By the way, does Mr A Wyper really exist as or is it a pseudonym for someone who wishes to stir something up and like on the forum, remain anonymous. If it is his real name and initial then he must have been the butt of a few jokes. (Sorry, I couldn't resist that one.)  If not, then the council have missed it.

It's not this guy's fault. Everyone's entitled to complain, but there needs to be common sense. People near the racecourse moan about fireworks all the time. People living near pubs complain of music which makes it difficult for local pubs to survive in this day and age.

I think the point is killjoys must be challenged, and the council should have a duty to gather more evidence (perhaps from other neighbours) before imposing restrictions. Otherwise there is never any perspective and common sense is unable to prevail.

Quoted from Muddler

It's not this guy's fault. Everyone's entitled to complain, but there needs to be common sense.

Isn't this an area we could really open up for public involvement?  Our local councillors have their hands full working out  how to destroy Victoria Park and put up car parking charges, so why not consult the public regarding complaints like this?  

Each case could put their side on Youtube or similar and then we could all vote on possible solutions: scrap the fair, shut it down earlier, exile the complainant to Thatcham or whatever.  This would both by fun and would involve people in local democracy.  Really juicy complaints could be featured on Newbury TV, whatever that is.

What could possibly go wrong?

Quoted from noobree

Isn't this an area we could really open up for public involvement?  Our local councillors have their hands full working out  how to destroy Victoria Park and put up car parking charges, so why not consult the public regarding complaints like this?  

Each case could put their side on Youtube or similar and then we could all vote on possible solutions: scrap the fair, shut it down earlier, exile the complainant to Thatcham or whatever.  This would both by fun and would involve people in local democracy.  Really juicy complaints could be featured on Newbury TV, whatever that is.

What could possibly go wrong?

Taxpayers telling the council what to do? Wash your mouth out! Supposing we gave the council answers they did not want to hear?

No no no yes this will never work!  

Quoted from Muddler

It's not this guy's fault. Everyone's entitled to complain, but there needs to be common sense. People near the racecourse moan about fireworks all the time. People living near pubs complain of music which makes it difficult for local pubs to survive in this day and age.

I think the point is killjoys must be challenged

I agree with all of this.

Let's hope you're consistent in your point of view with other matters.

Incidentally, re. Newbury TV, it's here http://www.viewtv.co.uk/newbury  Anyone know anything about it, beyond what's on the website?  Apparently it's coming our way in October.

I have no idea what the schedule is but popular programmes based on the postings here would be:

Downtown Abbey - a costume drama, set in the 1990s, featuring popular local alcoholic and street person Abbey Wurzle drinking Tesco cider on the bench behind St Nic's church

Town and Country - this sitcom features well off people living in the countryside making decisions about all aspects of life in nearby towns with hillarious consequences!

The Netizens - edgy coverage of of digital life and technology, presented by the uber-cool and down with da kids BrianB, self described 'serial digital entrepreneur'

A Troll's Life - a no holds barred fly on the wall documentary set in the home of the official responsible for the local council's web presence.   'Not since 'The Family' have such raw and shocking scenes of family life been shown on UK television' Newbury Weekly News.

Any other suggestions?  Obviously my crowd sourced 'Nail That Complaint/Complainant' (working title) would also be a strong contender.

How about "Noobree'n Framed - A seemingly endless stream of unfathomable analogies and childish pranks from Newbury's premier wind up merchant."

There's http://www.viewtv.co.uk for Hungerford and Pangbourne too.

Quoted from user23.3

How about "Noobree'n Framed - A seemingly endless stream of unfathomable analogies and childish pranks from Newbury's premier wind up merchant."

Excellent! Not actually funny, but it's great to see you trying and it's good to know I'm needling you.  I'll give you a call tomorrow and explain the 'we can't win so our goal must be not to lose' quote if that's OK as you're obviously still struggling with it.

Quoted from noobree

Excellent! Not actually funny, but it's great to see you trying and it's good to know I'm needling you.  I'll give you a call tomorrow and explain the 'we can't win so our goal must be not to lose' quote if that's OK as you're obviously still struggling with it.

The wind ups, the attempts to change the topic of conversation, the expressions of pleasure at invented annoyance and the smug one-upmanship. You're a textbook troll my friend, so don't call me, I've already got your number.

Anyway, back on topic, the Market Place is nowhere near big enough to house the fair and the accommodation for those that run it, is it?

Quoted from user23.3

The wind ups, the attempts to change the topic of conversation, the expressions of pleasure at invented annoyance and the smug one-upmanship. You're a textbook troll my friend, so don't call me, I've already got your number.

User is describing himself again.

Quoted from Nobby

User is describing himself again.

Indeed.  He says 'wind up merchant' like it's a bad thing, but the only person here I'm really keen to wind up is the man himself.  It's a thankless task but I will persevere unless Admin tells me to desist.

Meanwhile, I wonder which of my imagined Newbury TV programmes pulled his chain. Surely not Downtown Abbey or Netizens?

I was once told in a PM that the ubiquitous Phil Spray, one of the few officials at WBC who apparently can be trusted to speak to the press, advises staff very strongly not to respond to posts here no matter how provoked they feel.  And yet User persists in doing so, with a fanatical loyalty to everything his employer does which often seems to go beyond reason.  

The question is, is he doing this on his own initiative ignoring Spray's advice? Or is he encouraged to do so by councilors and/or senior officials? It's easy to imagine them wanting to have a way of venting their anger at what goes on here.

Those who've PMd me about this generally believe it's a solo effort. If so, is the fact that if you Google virtually any topic related to Newbury, amusingly to my warped mind, this forum pops us high in the rankings (frequently higher than WBC's own site!) part of the cause of his annoyance? Eg http://goo.gl/zljpO http://goo.gl/ovbv0 http://goo.gl/M6Gp4 http://goo.gl/KjYC1 That's unlikely to explain his posts here but it is rather hilarious.

We clearly can't answer my question definitively, so further research is needed.

Anyway, apologies for taking us off topic.  No, the Michaelmas fair couldn't fit in the Market Place.  But I think it would fit in the WBC official Market Street car park.  Perhaps it could be moved there giving relief to Mr A Wyper and making it very convenient for rail travellers?

Quoted from noobree

Indeed.  He says 'wind up merchant' like it's a bad thing, but the only person here I'm really keen to wind up is the man himself.  It's a thankless task but I will persevere unless Admin tells me to desist.

Meanwhile, I wonder which of my imagined Newbury TV programmes pulled his chain. Surely not Downtown Abbey or Netizens?

I was once told in a PM that the ubiquitous Phil Spray, one of the few officials at WBC who apparently can be trusted to speak to the press, advises staff very strongly not to respond to posts here no matter how provoked they feel.  And yet User persists in doing so, with a fanatical loyalty to everything his employer does which often seems to go beyond reason.  

The question is, is he doing this on his own initiative ignoring Spray's advice? Or is he encouraged to do so by councilors and/or senior officials? It's easy to imagine them wanting to have a way of venting their anger at what goes on here.

Those who've PMd me about this generally believe it's a solo effort. If so, is the fact that if you Google virtually any topic related to Newbury, amusingly to my warped mind, this forum pops us high in the rankings (frequently higher than WBC's own site!) part of the cause of his annoyance? Eg http://goo.gl/zljpO http://goo.gl/ovbv0 http://goo.gl/M6Gp4 http://goo.gl/KjYC1 That's unlikely to explain his posts here but it is rather hilarious.

We clearly can't answer my question definitively, so further research is needed.

Anyway, apologies for taking us off topic.  No, the Michaelmas fair couldn't fit in the Market Place.  But I think it would fit in the WBC official Market Street car park.  Perhaps it could be moved there giving relief to Mr A Wyper and making it very convenient for rail travellers?

It's a real shame that because of this sort of activity this forum will only be seen as a source of amusement by many who read what's posted here.

There are often some valid points and opinions written on here however they're all tarnished by the sort of activity above and therefore not taken seriously.

An opportunity for community engagement spoilt by self confessed wind up merchants.

Quoted from user23.3

It's a real shame that because of this sort of activity this forum will only be seen as a source of amusement by many who read what's posted here.

There are often some valid points and opinions written on here however they're all tarnished by the sort of activity above and therefore not taken seriously.

An opportunity for community engagement spoilt by self confessed wind up merchants.

Are you saying the councillors take amusement from reading this kind of thing or do you mean the staff at WBC?

Do they and Phil Spray take amusement at the Wind up posts and diversionary tactics you use too??

Perhaps Phil Spray or a councillor will share their views here, or maybe they are too embarrassed to be associated with User!

A self confessed and very pleased User-Wind-Up merchant this morning, I have to say!

What do you think though, folks?  Should the discussions here be kept serious and to the point, or does the occasional attempt at humour increase traffic levels and therefore serve a useful purpose for those of us down here in the tunnels?

Quoted from noobree

A self confessed and very pleased User-Wind-Up merchant this morning, I have to say!

What do you think though, folks?  Should the discussions here be kept serious and to the point, or does the occasional attempt at humour increase traffic levels and therefore serve a useful purpose for those of us down here in the tunnels?

God knows we need some humour in our lives surely? Living in Cartergrad under WBC control with their loyal servants like User a laugh a day could keep the whitecoats away!

No leave him alone he does give me a smile with his wily way of trying to deflect any criticism of his beloved leader. Loyalty should be rewarded you know, but it must make his life very difficult to justify to others, so perhaps this is the only human contact he can manage? Bless!  

Quoted from user23.3

The wind ups, the attempts to change the topic of conversation, the expressions of pleasure at invented annoyance and the smug one-upmanship. You're a textbook troll my friend, so don't call me, I've already got your number.

Anyway, back on topic, the Market Place is nowhere near big enough to house the fair and the accommodation for those that run it, is it?

The Michaelmas Fair has rather shrunk over the last decade. Surely it would fit in the market place and the wharf combined, Plenty of parking for accommodation for those that run it! It only needs somewhere for the Friday night fireworks, and I dont mean when the clubs turn out either!   It would increase footfall during the afternoons and evenings and it may help the beleagured local traders, hopefully.

Quoted from Cognosco

The Michaelmas Fair has rather shrunk over the last decade. Surely it would fit in the market place and the wharf combined, Plenty of parking for accommodation for those that run it! It only needs somewhere for the Friday night fireworks, and I dont mean when the clubs turn out either!   It would increase footfall during the afternoons and evenings and it may help the beleagured local traders, hopefully.

Moot point. Everyone likes it in Goldwell apart from Mr Wyper (and Cllr Tony Vickers - but no one listens to him anyway)

Its not that many years ago a fair was put in the market place and the problems with siting everything was a major problem, In the end a small selection of 12 stalls were placed there for a 2 day period.  

Leave the fair alone. No wonder the councillors appear out of touch when they make silly comments about banning the fair.

Who's talked of banning it? Aren't they responding to issues raised by residents?

Looks like it's you that's out of touch.

Quoted from user23.3

Who's talked of banning it? Aren't they responding to issues raised by residents?

Looks like it's you that's out of touch.

That's resident, singular wasn't it and even then I'm not sure it wasn't a wind up.

Quoted from brian

That's resident, singular wasn't it and even then I'm not sure it wasn't a wind up.

Do you think he is the only local person who regrets the fair every year?

Quoted from Greenham Common

Do you think he is the only local person who regrets the fair every year?

No, there are a few more miseries around but the Mayor always enjoys it.

Quoted from brian

No, there are a few more miseries around but the Mayor always enjoys it.

It is hard to turn down a freebie.  

I'm just going on the headlines on local radio and paper, the fact that the council even considered moving the funfair is laughable. The fair is very popular with young people and families, and providing the funfair are not breaking the already strict conditions imposed, I don't see what the problem is.

Quoted from richard.garvie

I'm just going on the headlines on local radio and paper, the fact that the council even considered moving the funfair is laughable. The fair is very popular with young people and families, and providing the funfair are not breaking the already strict conditions imposed, I don't see what the problem is.

The problem was invented....I suspect Cllr Vickers was lobbying for something to be done. He's got form against the fair. I hope I'm wrong and he's not perverting his utilitarian principles.

Quoted from richard.garvie

I'm just going on the headlines on local radio and paper, the fact that the council even considered moving the funfair is laughable. The fair is very popular with young people and families, and providing the funfair are not breaking the already strict conditions imposed, I don't see what the problem is.

Perhaps you should go on the facts?

Me thinks funfairs have had their day now anyway ?? £3 a ride - I don't think so !

Quoted from user23.3

Perhaps you should go on the facts?

Fair point.

Quoted from PaulaM

Me thinks funfairs have had their day now anyway ?? £3 a ride - I don't think so !

No matter what the price of the rides, the funfairs will continue until the public stop going.

For some people, the funfair is something they look forward to all year. Might sound a bit sad, but it's true. Yes it's noisy, expensive and full of young people, but if that is not your scene, don't go!!!

Save the fair!!!

Quoted from brian

No matter what the price of the rides, the funfairs will continue until the public stop going.

We could have the first Unfair. It's like a funfair, but run by Mr Wyper.