Ludlow May Fair given permission to go ahead after council U-turn

The event normally takes place on the early May bank holiday weekend, but Ludlow Town Council announced in March that it would be cancelled for the second year running due to ongoing Covid restrictions and concerns.

But councillors have now decided to allow the event to be held on the late May bank holiday weekend instead, provided that the organisers can ensure it takes place safely and in line with current guidelines.

The town is on course for a packed summer of events, with dates for the Fringe Festival, Green Festival and Ludlow 10k also agreed at the same meeting.

While most will be held after June 21, when it is hoped all restrictions in England will be lifted, there were concerns over allowing the May Fair to go ahead between May 28 and 31, when limits on the number of people who can meet outdoors will still be in force.

Because of this, a report by town council officers had recommended councillors refuse the request from the organisers to allow it to take place – but the majority of councillors disagreed.

Councillor Viv Parry said: “You’re going to be having people to all the other events, why is this so different?”

Councillor Mark Clarke said: “I think it’s more than workable, but it’s up to the fair organisers to come up with a plan, in discussion with the town clerk, to make it work.

“May 17 is a nominal date provided by the government that things can open up, and I’m struggling with the concept that on June 21 there is a huge dramatic change and everyone can get together.

“I’m in full favour of it, let’s get back to normal.”

However not everyone was in agreement.

Councillor Glenn Ginger said it should be a “non starter” due to the fact England will still be under Covid restrictions at the end of May.

Councillors agreed to the new dates for the May Fair with 11 votes for and three against.

Unanimous support was given to the other events planned for later in the summer, subject to any changes in the government’s current roadmap out of lockdown.

Councillor Viv Parry said: “We should be willing to do as much as we can this year and try and get people out of the gloom that we have been in last year. It would be wonderful to get everything back.”

The Fringe Festival will be held from June 19 to July 18 with a host of events around the town over the course of the month.

Ludlow 10k will go ahead on July 10, with the start and finish lines in Events Square.

The following day, July 11, Events Square will host the annual Green Festival organised by Ludlow 21.