February 23, 2001 9:43: FAIRGROUND boss Tom Smith has vowed to blockade Chesham town centre after police objected to plans to bring the Charter Fair back to the High Street.

Mr Smith, of T Smith & Son, wants to return the 800-year-old fair to the High Street and The Broadway because he says it is dying at its current site on Chesham Moor.

But police have snubbed the idea, forcing district councillors to throw-out a one day trial move planned for April 21.

Outside a meeting of Chiltern District Council's environmental services committee on Tuesday, Mr Smith said: "We don't need the police. We'll handle it ourselves.

"I'm going to hold this fair on the High Street. I'll pull in down there and block it all up. They'll have to police it then."

"It's no good, I've got to put my foot down. Either it's in the town or not at all."

Frustrated councillors are now looking to hold crisis talks with the police in a bid to end the deadlock.

But police chiefs will not budge and have branded the idea for a move as "disruptive" and have refused to police the necessary road closures.

Alan Baverstock, Thames Valley Police traffic management officer for South Bucks, explained: "It is Thames Valley Police policy to dissuade organisers from holding events on the highway.

"The current location on Chesham Moor is off the highway and presents no danger or disruption to road users."

He added that any attempt by Mr Smith to block the town centre would be met with appropriate action.

The Charter, which allows three fairs to be held annually in Chesham, was granted in 1257. Until 1938, the fair was held on The Broadway before it was moved to Nashleigh Hill Recreation Ground and then to Chesham Moor in 1949.

At Tuesday's meeting, committee chairman Cllr John Warder (Con, Chalfont St Peter, Central), said councillors had no choice but to reject the trial move even though the council has its own powers to make road closures.

He explained that access for emergency vehicles could become blocked without proper policing, making the move "too risky".

However, Cllr Nicholas Rose (Con, Ballinger and South Heath), described the actions of the police as "deplorable".

He said: "We are being minded to accept the status quo because the police are not prepared to put their resources where they should be."

Cllr Derek Lacey (Residents Association, Chesham, Pond Park), who helped Mr Smith in support of the move, said: "I'm very disappointed in the police.

"It seems the police reject everything we try to do in Chesham.

"People want this in the High Street."

James Cox