Rollercoaster ride for Chesham's Charter Fair

But this week, the future of the 800-year-old event remains hanging by a thread after furious fairground boss Tom Smith threatened not to bring his rides into town at all.

Mr Smith's plans to move the historic 800-year-old event back to the town centre from Chesham Moor were left stalled after Chiltern District Council rejected a one-day trial return following opposition from police chiefs.

However, the fight to bring the fair back to its traditional home is far from over.

Chiltern district councillor Derek Lacey is determined to get Chesham's Charter Fair back into the town centre.

He says the fair is simply failing to attract enough people on the moor and is in real danger of disappearing from Chesham for good.

Cllr Lacey explained: "The fair has got smaller and smaller because nobody wants to go. It's dark, cold and wet on the moor and people want it back in the centre of the town.

"It would be terrible to lose this Charter Fair. It would be a disaster if Chesham lost its 800-year-old charter."

The charter allows three fairs to be held annually in Chesham and was granted in 1257 by King Henry III.

For almost 700 years the fair was held in the town centre around the area of The Broadway and the High Street.

But due to the demands of the motorits it was moved to Nashleigh Hill Recreation Ground in 1938.

And in 1949 it was moved again this time to its current location on Chesham Moor.

Cllr Lacey explained that Mr Smith is struggling to attract other fairground tenants for Chesham's fair because the town has got a bad name for a lack of crowds.

He also knows that if Mr Smith, who owns the majority of the fair's attractions, decided to up and leave for good, it would be extremely difficult for Chesham to keep the event

Cllr Lacey added: "If you look around most towns are, or have, moved their charter fairs back into the High Street like it used to be. And since pedestrianisation it's the perfect time to do that."

But other people in Chesham are not so keen to see the event moved to the town centre.

Traffic management officers for Thames Valley Police branded plans for a move, which were pencilled in for April 21, as disruptive and unnecessary.

The police announced last week that they would not be prepared to police any road closures for the event if it was allowed to move.

However, they are not the only ones who have voiced concern.

After wide consultation with town groups and organisations, the possible dangers to town centre buildings and fair-goers were considered.

And despite a detailed plan, drawn up by Mr Smith, the trial move was still rejected by police and further discussion was sought instead.

Maggie Cannon, Chesham Town Manager, agrees that in a perfect world it would be nice to have the fair back in the High Street.

But she added: "I find this whole thing very difficult.

"On the one hand I've got to try and bring exciting things into the town centre to give the people of Chesham and surrounding area fun and hopefully get them spending their money on the High Street.

"On the other hand High Street businesses and residents are very, very concerned about the impact of the fair."

She added: "Fairs are not what they used to be. The rides they have these days are different. They are huge, great polluting rides.

"If the police are saying they are not prepared to police it then that is the line I would have to take."

But Mark Barnes, publicity officer at Chesham's Elgiva Theatre, St Mary's Walk, thinks a move is a great idea.

He said: "Beaconsfield holds its Charter Fair in the town centre and that works very well.

"On a personal level I think it would be great to put it back into the town centre. It would part of Chesham's revitalisation."

The fate of Chesham's Charter Fair has yet to be decided but a special meeting between the police, councillors, Mr Smith and other organisations will be held soon.

But even if the future of the event remains hanging in the balance, one thing is for sure there is going to be a fair bit of arguing yet.

Where do you think the fair should be held on Chesham Moor or Chesham High Street, or not at all? Write, e-mail or phone James Cox.

James Cox