At the Town Council meeting on Tuesday 11 August 2020, Councillors voted unanimously, and regrettably, to cancel the Thame September Street Fair this year. This decision was made in the interests of the health and well-being of Thame’s residents and those of nearby villages who usually visit the fair. Given the ongoing Covid-19 social distancing requirements it is not feasible or responsible to hold the September Street Fair in the town centre this year, and the Showmen’s Guild had not been supportive of proposals to reduce the number of rides. No other Street Fair has taken place in the UK since lockdown was enforced. A decision on the October Fair will be made nearer the time.
Statement from the Showmen’s Guild, received 14 August 2020:
Further to the press release announced by Thame Town Council regarding the unfortunate cancellation of the Thame Show Fair, the London & Home Counties Section of the Showmen’s Guild of Great Britain would like to express their sincere thanks to the Councillors and all representatives of Thame Town Council for their assistance and support during the negotiations for this year’s fair. The Guild recognises that it would not be possible to manage social distancing or comply with all the Government guidelines and therefore understands and is in full agreement with the decision to cancel the fair. We will be negotiating the October Fair with Thame Town Council in the hope that this Charter Fair will be able to go ahead. Once again the Guild would like to thank the Council and we are now looking forward to the 2021 Fairs.
