Fair tradition kept alive
STATUTES CANCELLED BUT RIDE COMES TO TOWN
MORE than 800 years of tradition has been kept alive despire coronavirus restrictions.
Pat Collins Funfair, North West Leicestershire District Council and Ashby de la Zouch Town Council agreed last month that the annual Statutes fair could not safely go ahead.
However, a small, symbolic presence has been agreed to allow the continuity of the Statutes into its 802nd year in 2021.
A small children’s fair ride has been set up in Brook Street since Friday and will be operating until 5pm today.
Anthony Harris, of Pat Collins Funfair, said: “Cancelling this year’s event was a really difficult decision – but the right one.
“The Statutes is more than just a fair, it’s a tradition and it was really important we keep that tradition going.
“The district and town councils were in full agreement and it’s great we’ll have this small and safe presence in the town.
“We cannot wait to return with the full Ashby Statutes in 2021.”
District council chairman Virge Richichi said: “It was really important to us we supported the organisers in having a presence within Ashby, allowing the continuation of this centuries-old tradition.
“Cancelling this year’s event is certainly the right decision but we’re already looking ahead to 2021 where we all hope Ashby Statutes can return in full.”
Councillor Graham Allman, Mayor of Ashby, said: “Who doesn’t get excited at the fair coming to town? In particular Ashby Statutes.
“The great event arrives early
autumn and has done so for 800 years, with the exception of the two world wars.
“Its arrival after the wars was seen as the country getting back to normal. Let us hope and pray that post pandemic it is seen in the same vein.”