Taken for a ride
Anger over Racecourse axe
Ayr’s traditional fair has been axed for the first time in its history.
Ayr Racecourse pulled the plug because they want to concentrate on the horses.
Now operator Irvin stringfellow is hoping someone can save the day by offering a prominent piece of land.
september Fairs have been held in Ayr for centuries.
Irvin said: “Ayr is in danger of losing a great september tradition.
“I have asked the council for help in getting the public land at st John’s Primary across the road but they never gave me a full answer.
“time is marching on and I don’t seem to be getting anywhere.
“If I can get the land I can put on the show. I only need half of it. the site is prominent and would be fantastic.”
The traditional September Fair in Ayr has been axed for what is believed to be the first time in history.
Ayr Racecourse pulled the plug because they want to concentrate on the horses.
Now operator Irvin Stringfellow is hoping someone can save the day by offering a prominent piece of land.
Traditional September Fairs have been held in Ayr for centuries.
Irvin said: “I am obviously disappointed by the decision of the Racecourse after years of having a good relationship, but it is their prerogative.
“I have asked the council for help in getting the public land at St John’s Primary across the road but they never gave me a full answer, time is marching on and I don’t seem to be getting anywhere.
“If I can get the land I can put on the show. I only need half of it. and the site is prominent and would be fantastic.”
He has organised the 35- attraction fair on car park land at the Racecourse since 2010 after moving from private land at Heathfield.
Prior to that the fair was held at Prestwick Toll.
Now town historian and events impresario David Moore has called on South Ayrshire Council to come to the rescue.
He said: “We could attract tens of thousands of people to Ayr if a prominent spot is found.
“A six week slot on the Low Green would be a huge economic boost and turn Ayr into the fairground capital of the West Coast.
“It is what people want and I think it would be wonderful for the town.”
Circus acts businessman David, 48, is the founder of the Auld Ayr Scotland Sharing Memories Facebook page, which has 6000 followers, which has been flooded with concern.
His business involves hiring circus acts
He said: “We need to put the pressure on the council to supply a suitable site for the Showmen to operate.
“I’ve had lots of private messages today who are not happy about the Racecourse imposing this ban.
“The Low Green should have the Shows on there and if funfairs are not allowed on their own rather than as part of a big event, that rule should be changed.”
Other towns have ancient charters with religious backgrounds which gives fairs the right to set up on public ground, but Ayr does not.
David said fairs in Fife such as Burntisland and Kirkcaldy attract tens of thousands of people.
David: “Ayr is in danger of losing a great September tradition.
“The Low Green situation should be overturned and we could have a six week fair every summer.”
Ayr Race course spokesman Iain Ferguson said: “We have had to turn down the request for the fairground this year.
“Our core business is horse racing and with the William Hill Ayr Gold Cup Festival – the biggest meeting in the Scottish Flat racing calendar - coming up next month and the preparations for that in full swing we had to say no to the fairground on this occasion.”
South Ayrshire Council said it “wouldn’t be appropriate” to set up a funfair on the St John’s Primary land when children were using the school.
A spokesman added: “We haven’t been approached about holding a summer long funfair on Low Green.”