FOR THE first time in living memory Petersfield’s historic Taro Fair won’t be held, and is unlikely to return.

A town charter awarded in the mid-1200s says the fair should be held on October 6 on Petersfield Heath.

But this year the Walls fairground family and Petersfield Town Council, which manages the Heath, say it won’t go ahead.

Walls matriarch Bernice Walls was married in Petersfield and lived in Durford Road for many years. Now her daughter, Marissa, and husband, John Searle, run Walls Funfair.

Bernice said: “Imagine a wet, dark, miserable mid-week October day – there just isn’t money to be made there.

“This decision wasn’t taken lightly, it’s very upsetting for all of us, no one wanted it to come to this, it’s a real shame.

“And once people leave, it’s hard to get them back.”

In its recent heyday in the late 1960s and 1970s, schools in Petersfield and its villages shut so youngsters could go to the fair, said Petersfield showman David Weeks (76), who has lived in Penns Road since he was born.

He said: “I can’t ever remember it being cancelled.

“Thousands of people used to go, it was the biggest day of the year.

“The fair stretched from the Heath toilets to the old golf clubhouse.

“Whatever the weather, it was packed, there was a boxing booth, shows like the werewolf man, and smallest pony in the world.

“This is a real shame, another thing gone from the town.” The town council said it had been unable to book Walls Funfair on the agreed Taro Fair charter date, so there wouldn’t be a fair this year.

In a statement the council added: “Under the arrangement with the Showmen’s Guild, it is not possible for another fair to replace Walls.

“Last year the council broke with tradition so the fair could run over the weekend nearest October 6, but this year Walls Funfair is booked elsewhere for the nearest weekend.

“Walls offered an alternative date of September 29 to October 1. This would have moved completely away from the traditional roots of the Taro Fair.

“The council will continue its enquiries with the Showmen’s Guild, and consider alternative arrangements for October 6 next year.”