Attempts to find a permanent home for a fairground to accompany Newton Abbot's traditional cheese and onion fair has found a new champion, writes Dawn Ellis.
Teignbridge Council chief executive Nicola Bulbeck revealed this week she will be looking at alternative solutions for the fairground. Mrs Bulbeck – a guest at Newton Abbot Town Council's meeting on Wednesday – revealed she was a fan of tradition.
She promised talks with town centre staff and Teignbrige Council leisure department in an attempt to find a fresh venue. But she warned that finding a suitable spot was not easy, because of noise considerations. It would not be possible to find a new venue this year. A fair has been held to complement the annual cheese and onion event for years in the Wolborough Street car park.
But the Asda development means that the fair can no longer be housed there. Cllr geraldine Gaskell said she did not want to see the town lose the traditional fair and had wondered about using the Sherborne Road car park.
But that would lose revenue while a fair was on it and the idea probably would not get the go-ahead. Mrs Bulbeck said Newton abbot had a bright future. It has signficant room for economic growth and regeneration, while retaining its own character. Cllr Mike Hocking said the town council would like more control over certain matters, including the rose garden in Courtenay Park. Mrs Bulbeck said that was an interesting idea, since certain services were more cost-effective at more local levels.
l Despite plans for new loos in Cricketfield Road car park, some councillors were angry that the public would not be charged for using them. Cllr Anne Fry said people would be prepared to pay for clean, safe toilets.
Mrs Bulbeck said it was a 'legal minefield' having to pay to use toilets. 'The general rule is that local authorities cannot charge for public conveniences,' she said. Councillors were concerned about the closures of loos in Newfoudland Way and Market Walk when the area was developed.
Cllr Hocking expressed concern about the toilet in Bakers Park being shut for years because of vandalism.