Bridgwater Fair is here again and the Westover residents of West Street once more take the bullet for the rest of us so that this ancient tradition, which brings 1,000s to our town can take place. As part of our role, Westover Councillors, are involved in pre-meetings with all the agencies that work together to put on the fair, whether it’s the Police, Fire Authority, St Johns Ambulance, Showmans Guild or all the many Sedgemoor workers that are diverted to Fair duty.
The Fair, which runs from 27-30 September, is still the second largest in the country (after the Nottingham Goose Fair) and the man with the biggest responsibility is Sedgemoor officer Rob Semple. Rob took over from SDC’s legal officer Nigel Osborne a year back and is now firmly experienced and in control. He has no problem offering his phone number for anyone to contact him in case of problems. Rob Semple 07876131091.
Fair’s Fair (so far)
As usual Westover Ward councillors attended a pre Fair walkabout to identify possible issues. we did this in conjunction with Wyndham Ward councillors – most of west street is in Westover but the Fair Field itself is in Wyndham.
The Fair was opened by the usual group of civic dignatories led by Cllr Graham Granter, Mayor of Bridgwater, with a procession along West Street and across St Matthews Field on the Wednesday morning.
The Fairs extremely popular Welsh Cakes stall. This year the queueue stretched halfway down St Matthews Green
Displays of horsemanship at the Animals field
Crowds flock to the fair
Whilst the civic dignatories took the medias attention, I sought out the lower orders. And found them.
Sedgemoors hard working staff on traffic control at the West Bow junction
Barbecue in a train. Novel.
Cllr Smedley investigates allegations relating to animal welfare
Cllrs Pearce and Slocombe vye for the attention of Rob Semples
Wyndham Councillor Rachel Lilley drops in at Westfield church to be served a coffee by Cllr Ian Dyer.
Mayor and Mayoress at the Fair
